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xrown an& Country

Xibrars

No. 204

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER

MASTER ARDICK
BUCCANEER

F. H. COSTELLO

TORONTO
THE COPF, CLARK COMPANY

(limited)

911400

COI'VRIGHT, 1896,

Hv D. Appleton ANr> Company.

CHA

PPINTED AT THK APPLETON PRESS.
NEW YORK, U. s A.

XVI
XVII

XT>

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER

II.-

III.-

IV.—

V.
VI.

VII.—

VIII.—

IX.
X.

XII..

XIII..

XIV.-

XV.-

XVI.-

XVII.-

XVIII.-

XIX.—

-Of my becoming a seafaring man .
•Of ilie brush with the black ship . .* . "
•Of the course of events till we were finally south
bound

•Of the moving talk of the young* sailor, and the

strange behaviour of an old one .
•Of a very stirring piece of business
•Of the stand that we made, and divers events that"

followed
Of the great strait we found ourselves in. and how

that subtle rogue, the mate, seemed still to

triumph

Of the mockery ^ the ship, and ihe riscuer that"
nnally came

-Of our reception on the Spanish ship

-Of our new quarters and the people of the ship .'

-Ut the audacious buccaneer

-Of the carrying out of our scheme .'

-Of a mysterious decree of fate

-Of the doing on the buccaneer . . .

-Of the bargain with Pradey

-Of the brave news at Chagre ..*.*''

■Of things ashore ,

•Of the coming of Morgan and the departure for
ranama . . _

Of the things we endured till we came'to the eve
of battle

PAGB

84
96
103
112
125
132
138
147
155
i6i

169
173

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

CIIAI'TKR

XX.
XXI

XXII.
XXIII.

XXIV.—

XXV.

XXVI.
XXVII..

XXVIII..

XXIX.-

XXX.-

XXXI.-
XXXII.-

— Of the opening of the battle ....
—Of the condusion of my adventure and the fall of

the city. Likewise of the strange thing that

hai)penc(l thereafter

—Of the conclusi.jn of our great surprise, and what

followed at the heels of it
-Of the night of the d.,ii and his party, and the

dilemma that Captain lowland put us in.

Likewise of a dreadful discovery
•Of the things that Paul Craddc told us, together

with the conception of a daring plan
-Of the progress of our plan

-Of our further good fortune . . . .

-Of our voyage in the boat and the danger that

finally threatened us
-Of the fight with the boat's people
•Of the end of our desperate fight ....
•Of the strange and excellent mending of our for-

tunes

Of two important interviews ....
•Of the determination of the whole matter .

rAr.B
I8l

20 1

213

323
231

237

251
261
269

276
2go

304

PAGI

. I8i
fall of
g that

. 191

I what

. 2UI

kI the

IS ill.

. 213

;ctlicr

. 223

. 231

• 237

r that

. 251

. 261

. 269

r for-

. 276

. 290

. 304

MASTER ARDICK. BUCCANEER.

CHAPTER I.

OF MY BECOMING A SEAFARING MAN.

I WAS born in the days of the Lord Protector, so
that I was a httle past my majority when the things
that I have in mind to relate took place. At that
time the second Charles was on the throne, and we
^ were dancing to the fiddle of the great Louis, which

was the reason we had been drawn into a war with
the Dutch, and had thrown over the Triple Allianre
My father was a sea captain, out of Portsmouth for
the Mediterranean, and was killed by the Barbary
pirates and his ship taken a little time before I came
of age My mother grieved sorely for him, and only
survived his loss a few months, and my two young
brothers being then put out with a reputable haber-
dasher, and the little that remained of our fortune
turned over to him for their benefit, I found myself
of a sudden alone in the world, and brought, for the
hrst time, to depend upon myself for a living I had
made a few voyages with my father, and had come
to be something of a seaman, though I knew scarce
anything of navigation, and this knowledge, with
What I had gained from an ordinary round of school-

(

! f

2 MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

ing, stood for all I was now to reckon on to make
my way in the world. While I was reflecting on my
condition, and casting about to see what I should do
—for I did not relish the idea of using the sea, though
that was now often in my mind— I chanced to fall in
with a certain shipmaster, Daniel Houthwick by
name, to whom, after a short acquaintance, I dis-
closed my case, and asked his advice. We were
seated in the taproom of one of the little dock inns
at the time, with a pot of old October before us and
no one just by. The captain took a pull at his mug
which made his hairy throat give a great throb, and
after a little deliberation answered :

"I should be blithe to help you, Master Ardick,
could I but get my bearings to see how. You know
I am an old salt-water, with little run of things
ashore. I might come at something by broad reck-
oning, buc no better."

_ ''Give me that," said I eagerly. -Anything
is better than beating about all ways in the
wind."

_ '; Well, then," he began, to make a start, " how is
It with a trade ? "

" I have a poor turn for any that I know of " I
answered. "Besides, 1 am now too old to go into
mdentures, and have no money to buy an en-
trance."

" Yet that might be managed," he replied ; '« but I
could not, for your sake, advise it. An unwilling
workman at any business is in a poor way. Would
It suit you to enter the employ of a merchant ? I
thmk I know of one who might be induced to re-
ceive you."

to make
ig on my
hould do
I, though
to fall in
wick by
e, I dis-
kVe were
3ck inns
2 us and
his mug,
rob, and

Ardick,
iU know
■ things
id reck-

nything
ill the

how i

,v of," I
?o into
an en-

"but I

.willing

Would

int? I

to re-

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

but slowly at that calling ■' "''' ""'"= ">' "''>'

m. butTsectdtr't' '^'f '""= -^"-'^ -'h-
thmurh ! "= °"'y hesitated a little a,

though g,v,„g the matter further thought '

in.u;tth'rrri':ri,''"i'?'«^"'"'°-''-

-rd life, and I mi trust .^ do notT'" " '^ '
I think there be worse ..iling ' m^ "^ '" ''' ^^
father followed it and , ' "S^' Moreover, your

been born wi.h ^ntlr^ss^^o^r 7'T'

Hre\:rtre„°ti'r'°°'''"°--"--

aswillUb^^reoCir,"""'"^""^--

I hung m the wind a little for th;. „
thing I would not have vet l'!,. '^""^

another refusal A, !'7 ^'°"' '° ="'<' "ill

„ '=■; "^elusal. At last I answered :

- -tv I r h''"''' '""'''"" '" -"y veins, which is

a sa fo ■ ' ife'Td",;'" I 'T ' ^"""'^ -""™'"S
cient ,0 o^'rco^e it "" '" ""■= "°' ''--<< -«

.•ng,td"whet'lTaj'" T"""" '^"''^ I "- ^P-^''-
si.e'nt ^or : m"oient ""*= ^" '"" ^""^'^ -'I »-

" WeM*' 'W S""'''''" he then went on to answer

4: 'vet Lr;':LTerr ------

-advanceme„t-rmea::S:^-Xf":it

whaTieruid'rr;; ^"="^^'^' "°' ^"^'^ --

another light." ' "■"'" ™"''' "»■"' «

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

He nodded, and leisurely helped himself to more
liquor.

" Look you," he said, rounding upon me then and
speaking in a brisker tone than he had before, "I
have a mind to make you a proposition. I am in
want of a second mate. So we can agree upon
t^.ms, what say you* to the place ? It is a little bet-
ter beginning than a bare berth before the mast, with
the chance of betterment."

I could see the thing closing in upon me, as it
were, yet hardly knew how to evade it, and, on the
whole, began to care less to do so. " Well, captain,"
I finally answered, " I can not see why I should de-
cline such a kindly and timely offer. I agree, provid-
ing that I am able to fulfil all your requirements,
which I somewhat doubt, seeing that my experience
has been but brief."

"We will take care of that," he said with a confi-
dent air. "When will you board me, that you may
determine whether you like the ship ? "

"When you will," I answered, beginning now to
conceive a liking for the venture, and dreading a
little that I should not wholly suit him. "You will
examine me in some sort, as to my fitness?" I went
on to ask. " I care not, neither for my sake nor
yours, to miscarry in the matter."

"Nay, never concern yourself as to that," he
answered lightly. "T do not expect wonders of
you."

"Yet you must come to an assurance," I per-
sisted.

"Never fear," he laughed. "I am not one to
buy a pig in a poke."

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

If to more

: then and
before, " I
I am in
free upon
little bet-
mast, with

me, as it
id, on the

captain,"
hould de-
e, provid-
lirements,
xperience

h a confi-
you may

^ now to

eading a

You will

'" I went

sake nor

:hat," he
nders of

" I per-

t one to

I was compelled to be satisfied with this, or at
least with the idea, though I thought the 'figure
might have been improved.

"Then since you are ready," he said, rising, "let
us be off."

He called for the score, which he insisted upon
paying, and we left the inn. There was a good deal
of confusion along the docks, for several of the
king's ships were fitting for sea, and the running
about and pulling and hauling, all without much
method or precision, were surprising and perplexing,
but at last we reached the jetty where the captain's
boat was lying. On the way it suddenly occurred to
me that I had neglected to ask a pretty important
question, which was the port that the Industry— the
captain's ship— was bound for. I asked it now, and
learned that it was Havana, in the West Indies.
This suited me very well, as I had never been in
those parts, and had a young fellow's fondne<=s for
novelty. We boarded the gig, which a middle-aged
sailor was keeping, and were soon clear of the tangle
of shipping about the docks, and standing into the
roadstead. I suspected that one of three large
vessels that were at anchor some little distance out
might be the Industry, and accordingly asked the
captain.

"Ay, quite right," he answered, pointing to the
easternmost of the ships. "There she is."

There was a dazzle on the water in that direction
and I could not get so perfect a view of her as I de-
sired, but nevertheless I was able to judge her chief
features. She stood pretty well out of the water
(considering that she was loaded), and, while she had

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

a good beam, was not overround in the bows, and
was well and loftily sparred. She was painted black,
with a gilded streak, and showed no break for ports,'
which, indeed, was not surprising, as few merchant'
men at that time carried their guns otherwise than
on deck. All her tops seemed to be provided with
shields, or barricadoes, and on the poop and along
the bulwarks I could resolve the outlines of several
sakers and swivels. Besides these I thought she
might carry some heavy piece, and, in fact, I caught
a glimpse, through an open gang-port, of a shape in
a tarpauhn which could hardly be other than a long-
range gun. The whole appeared to show that she
was fitted to fight as well as to fly, which was pass-
ing needful in those troublous times. Her burthen
(as I afterward learned) was three hundred and
fifty tons, and as we approached her, and she flashed
up her great black side, she looked even larger. As
we drew near, some heads showed above the bulwark,
and I made out a ladder hanging over at that place!
We pulled up to it, and when we rose on the next
wave the sailor reached out a boat-hook and steadied
us to it, and we were speedily up the side. When
I came to reach the deck I found more hands behind
the bulwark than I had supposed, for just here it
was too tall for a short man to see over, and it
struck me that a more than ordinary proportion of
the fellows were undersized. However, they looked
well enough, take them faces, expressions and all,
and I was instantly brought back to old times at
sight of the sea-pickled countenances, as they fetched
about from the rail, and hitched their breeches and
watched us expectantly. I readily guessed that the

bows, and
nted black,
c for ports,

merchant-
jrwise than
• vided with

and along

of several
ought she
t, I caught
a shape in
lan a long-
w that she

was pass-
er burthen
idred and
ihe flashed
irger. As
2 bulwark,
hat place.
I the next
d steadied
e. When
ds behind
st here it
er, and it
(ortion of
sy looked
i and all,

times at
:y fetched
;ches and

that the

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

captain had dropped out here, after stowing his
cargo, on purpose to hold his crew, well knowing the
weaknesses which poor Jack is prone to, and not
rehshing a set of hands shipped at the last moment
(for the greater part lugged aboard helplessly drunk)
by extortionate crimps. '

As I glanced about, taking in the fashion of the
deck and such arrangements as had not been visible
from the water, a short, broad man, in a kind of
Dutch blouse and heavy sea boots, came from some
place forward and accosted the captain. I inferred
that he must be the mate, and so, indeed, it proved
and upon being presented I found his name was
Giles Sellmger, and that he hailed from Southampton
He had a resolute, honest-looking countenance, al-
beit the smallpox had pitted him rather severely, and I
thought had the air of a good seaman and competent
officer. The captain explained the meaning of my
being aboard, and said that he doubted not I should
suit them well, though it might be I should halt in
some things at the beginning. Master Sellinger re"
ceived this explanation in a way favourable'to my
pride, for he presently commended the idea, and
w en his had passed the captain led me abou't the
shp, taking me first to the cabin, which was a
plainly furnished berth reached bv a door set its
.^ole height in the face of the poop, and :hen

forec" ,e Th TT '"'^ '' ^'^ ^^^^^^ -^
altoTri Z " '"^''^ "^^ ^^"' f°^ ^he seemed

a stout, clean craft with everything as it should be,

and I was now only concerned lest I should not fulfil

all the captain s requirements, and make one of the

company. This kept me in some suspense, which a

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

it seemed to me, he did not at all share, either for my
sake or his own. Shortly after this we left the fore-
castle and passed aft. When we had reached the
hooded gun— for such the object under the tarpaulin
proved to be — he stopped and pulled the covering a
little aside, that I might admire the handsome fash-
ion of the piece, and the admirable, clean way it was
kept. Its brass barrel, indeed, shone like a new
sovereign, and under different circumstances I should
have bestowed considerable attention and admira-
tion upon it, but just now my mind was too full of
other things. Perhaps he perceived my abstraction,
for he presently put the tarpaulin back, and turned
to me with his former brisk air of business.

"Well, Master Ardick, now that the civilities are
over— and I trust that you like the ship— we will to
the concerns which bring you here. First attend,
and I will propound to you some questions in sea-
manship."

"That suits me well," I replied. "I hope the
answers will serve, for truly I like your ship, and
shall esteem myself lucky to go in her."

"Then hearken," with which he proceeded to ply
me with a number of nautical questions. I will not
give them here, as they are not to the purpose, but
the wind-up was that I was able to satisfy him,' and
he declared that he was ready to sign me, the con-
cern of wages alone standing to be settled. It will
be guessed that I did not allow that matter to di-
vide us, and in less than ten minutes more I was on
the books as second mate of the Industry. It was
arranged that I should return at once with the cap-
tain and order my few affairs, and be fetched away

ither for my
lit the fore-
reached the
lie tarpaulin

covering a
dsome fash-
. way it was
like a new
:es I should
nd admira-

too full of
abstraction,
and turned

IS.

vilities are
-we will to
irst attend,
3ns in sea-

I hope the
■ ship, and

ided to ply
I will not
jrpose, but
y him, and
2, the con-
id. It will
tter to di-
3 I was on
y. It was
1 the cap-
ped away

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

again when he came, which would be about the mid
die of the afternoon. It seemed that he had th.
supercargo to bring off, with some other m^o't
busmess, so could not be ready any speedTe W
were to sail as soon following as L ^

Thic h,r fk • ^^J'uwing as the wmd served

ihis by the signs would be before lono- . u ^'

■ons The sun poured clow,. „ot on the open iettv

and I wen. down to the boat, which^as iJ the

shade greatly relishing the cold, sea sme I of the

barnacled spiles on the way, whi^h, indeed at that

moment brought back a little clea; thought of n,v

boyhood. I had loved to hang about sud, pTacTs'

grat.fy.ng the passion for the ocean and all fts be-'

longings which I suppose was born in me and in a

way fictmg myself, by this close touch wkh ea

"d'Tf"'^ '"" '"^ "^ p^^p-'"s f"-

-ro^tTap'tiir' itraTc? ' 'r^

man iv.-fh f large, heavy-chested

man, with tnnps to m^tf-h -., i r j i ■^'■«->a

f^ u , • match, and I doubt not I hpo-an

'° hear h.m as soon as he set foot on the jetty, but

MASTER ARDICK. BUCCANEER.

at the moment I could not distinguish any voice in
answer. The sailors pushed the boat more fairly to
the foot of the stairs, and directly the captain ap-
peared at the top.

"Aye, Master Ardick is here," I heard him say
back to some one behind him, and almost with the
words the person he had addressed joined him. The
supercargo, for such, of course, the second man was,
I found to be a nimble, erect little gentleman, in age
perhaps sixty, with some gray in his beard, but a
feood fresh skin, and dressed very handsomely in
sad-coloured velvet, low-crowned hat with feathers,
yellow hose, and high-heeled French shoes, with
blue rosettes. His .lead was covered with a fashion-
able flowing wig, and his broad sword-belt supported
a good substantial sword with a silver hilt. He
came actively down the steps beside the captain, and
when the latter had greeted me and passed the super-
cargo on to the stern sheets, the men shoved off and
shipped their oars.
^ As soon as Captain Houthwick had put us on our
course he presented me to the supercargo, giving his
name as Mr. Tym, and informing him with some lit-
tle pride that he would find me other than the com-
mon sort of sailor, being a man of considerable
parts and of a family above the ordinary, my father
having been an owning shipmaster and the son of a
justice of the peace, and my mother the daughter of
a knight.

I was surprised that these little matters had
stuck so shrewdly in the captain's memory, as he had
not seemed to be a person to be impressed by things
of the kind, but I could not fcei very sorry, both

runs

!:r.

any voice in

lore fairly to

captain ap-

ard him say
lost with the
id him. The
nd man was,
eman, in age
Jeard, but a
ndsomely in
ith feathers,
shoes, with
:h a fashion-
It supported
;r hilt. He
captain, and
d the super-
•ved off and

It us on our
), giving his
th some lit-
m the com-
onsiderable
, my father
le son of a
laughter of

atters had
, as he had
i by things
iorry, both

MASTER ARDICK. BUCCANEER. „

from a little pride which his explanation gratified
and because I saw that the supercargo seemed to
treat the matter with respect and attention Not
much passed on the way to the ship, and after a
somewhat tedious pull, the wind b^ug in part con
trary and quite a sea beginning to run, we drew'
near, and I got up and made ready to seize the lad-
honn^' ^^^;,of ;«Pe, with wooden rungs, the top and
bottom made fast, and presently I succeeded in

was safe. The ship rose and sank and churned
about m a troublesome fashion, but I managed to
hold on, and first the captain and then Mr Tym
passed me and swung over to the ladder. The old
supercargo was as steady and sure-footed as a rope-
dancer and it immediately occurred to me that he
might be a veteran seagoer, a conclusion which was
confirmed as I saw how coolly he waited on the lad-
der till the captain was out of the way, though the
ship was rolling and pitching and sending frothing
flings of water up to the very soles of his dainty
shoes. In a moment the captain had passed over
the bulwark, and Mr. Tym began to follow, and
was then that I made a surprising discovery. I had
noticed that the old fellow had kept his cloL part y
about him and I had marvelled at it, as the day Z

uXThe ""''" '^ '^^^^^ '^ climb, the 'wind
caught the garment and blew it out, and behold he

had lost his left hand! The sleeve hung loos la
ong about the wrist, and out from the drapery-
showing queer among the lace-peeped the black
turn of an iron hook. He caught this over the
rungs of the ladder, alternating with his right hald!

MASTER ARDICK. BUCCANEER.

and without any difficulty mounted the unsteady
side and swung himself lightly over the bulwark, I
watched him in a kind of fascination, but he was
quickly up, with his agile, deft movement!,, and after
that I had something else to think of. This lively
breeze was a fair one for our sails, and we must all
needs look alive, and walk up the anchor and get
the Industry under canvas. The two sailors passed
the boat astern, and we run it up to the davits,
and then I went forward and stood ready to catch
the mate's word and start the good ship on her
travels.

The captain mounted the poop, a man was sent
to the tiller,* and the mate stationed himself just
abaft the forecastle to pass the word along.

** Heave her short ! " shouted the captain. " Heave
her short! " repeated the mate, and the pawls of '.he
windlass began to rattle.

"Loosen sail!" followed, and the men sprang
into the rigging. Everything was cleared to let go,
and all hands, except a man on each yard to stay the
bunt, scampered back to the deck.

"All ready aloft?" hailed the mate. "All
ready ! " answered the fellows on the yards.

" Let go ! " and the ship flashed out white, and
stood clothed in the waves of loose canvas. Then
the chief topsails were set, the yards trimmed, and
the ancnor finally brought to a head. She steadied
quickly to her work, and as she climbed away the
light canvas was rapidly put out.

*The wheel, as a steering rpparatus, was the invention of a
later dav.

kA .J

le unsteady
bulwark. I

but he was
ts, and after

This lively

we must all
lor and get
ilors passed

the davits,
dy to catch
■hip on her

an was sent
limself just

in. <* Heave
lawls of ',he

len sprang

1 to let go,

to stay the

ate. '« All
is.

white, and
/as. Then
mmed, and
^e steadied
1 away the

ivention of a

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER. ,,

I had experienced some small an.xiety till all this
had passed, for of course my berth was strange to
me, and I knew that I should be watched. Haply
all had gone well, and I could now breathe freer
One thing that made greatly for me was that I ex"
celled in work aloft. In good sooth, I had an evcel-
lent, steady nerve and sure eye, and I took care to
secure the posts which would show off these quali-
ties, knowing well that they would advance me with
he men, and that without them I should speedily
fall into contempt and in the end be in a most un-
happy case. A good start being thus made, I walked
aft-that IS, as far as the mainmast-and took a
brisk turn or two to let the captain see that I would
be in his sight and a-stirring. In a short time the
watches were appointed, and the business of putting
the ship in order and other like things of the begin
nmg of a voyage attended to, and after that I had a
ittle breathing space and slipped down to my cabin
had a small berth in the aftermost part of the
tween-decks, and here I found my clothes-bag and
other effects, and proceeded to sling a hammock
preferring It to either of the bunks t'he berth con-
a.ned), and sat down to have a brief smoke. I was
already enough of a sailor to set considerable store

morn; ii^7ght'"irL?iVd"' ^'"^^^^ '--

fe nignt. m fact, I had not run to anv

I ough I had grown to man's stature-indeed a
l."ie beyond the average stature-I had stUl the

Bi™ figure, hud the downright strength of a mature

HASTKR ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

and able man. Moreover, I was active, too, in those
days, not a young fellow in Portsmouth fleeter of
foot, and few, if any, that could lay me on my back
in a bout of wrestling. I was not ill-looking either
— to follow this business of limning me to a conclu-
sion—for I had good features and sound white teeth,
and my eyes were bright and dark and matched my
brown, wavy hair. My beard had not fairly begun
to grow, being backward, and I kept what there was
closely shaven, by this no doubt adding to my boy-
ish look. My hair I wore short and brushed plainly
back, not being of means or station, and indeed not
of inclination, to wear a wig, and my dress consisted
of a soft cap, rough gray short-coat, gray smalls,
plain brown hose, and stout shoes.

My smoke over, I strolled for a bit into the fore-
castle, and then went again on deck, where I found
the wind rather gathering strength and quite a stiff
sea running. We reefed the topsails, and by that
time supper was called. The rest of the evening
passed without incident. I turned in early, as my
watch was to be called at eight bells, and, when
the time came, crawled out mighty sleepy, but full
of zeal, and so kept my four hf> i -.. At daylight all
hands had to be called, as ther.^ •„ ■ heavy v <^\,
which was verging on half a gale, and we whipped
down the mainsail and the great lateen, and before
we were done had to be satisfied with a reefed main
topsail, a bit of foresail, and a reefed sprit-topsail.
Thus snugged down, we dinned along, the wind now
nearly ahead, and we laying up to it the best we
were ole, but with a vast deal of labour and ado.
Indeed, there was a constant wild upheaving and

■3

ER.

, too, in those

nth fleeter of

: on my back

)oking either

2 to a conclu-

d white teech,

matched iny

fairly begun

lat there was

g to my boy-

ushed plainly

d indeed not

ess consisted

gray smalls,

nto the fore-
lere I found
quite a stiff
and by that
the evening
early, as my
;, and, when
epy, but full
daylight all
heavy v n J,
we whipped
, and before
reefed main
sprit-topsail,
le wind now
the best we
)ur and ado.
leaving and

MASTER ARDICK, HUCCANEER. ,-

awesome plunging down, while tons of water, crowned
I white as milk with froth, would flood all forwird
an 1 race aft almost to the quarter-deck. The skv
was now nearly sheathed in gray, with a murkiness
ni the southwest, and the wind came in heavy lower"
'"J,^ gusts, threatening even our scant canvas, 'thoujrh
as yet both that and the spars stood the strain very
sturdily. ^

•' Marry, but this is something boisterous for the
narrow seas, ' said a high-pitched voice behind me
as stood holding on by the lashings of the big gun
and watching the turmoil.

I turned and saw the little supercargo, who had

i n selfT 7 T "' ''' "'^'■"- "^' -^-^ balancing
himsel fearlessly on his straddled legs, a long sea

coat whipping about him, and his hand clapped upon
h.s hat to keep both that and his great 'curly w^g
from blowing away. *'/ wig

" «^«t step along here, sir ! " I shouted, fearful lest
he nex lurch of the ship should carry him off h
feet and at least bruise him against the bulwark

He racked along to me then, but slowly and"de-
hberately, as though he felt no fear.
, "Aye, sir," I said, as he reached me, now replv-
cLnel" '""'""' "''" '^ ^ough weather for the

chuckle"" 711" '"'' ■ " '^ ^'°"^^^' ^•^'^ - J^i^d of
chuckle, and then immediately sucking in his lips
which I found was a way he had ^ '

"And how was that ?" I asked, willing to forget
thejveather for a moment if 1 could.

"Why, it was a mnffpr ^f ^hf^,-a ♦

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

I m

that occasion that I put to sea on a day even worse
than this in only a small fishing sloop."

•* It was beyond account rash," I commented. " It
must have been a strait, indeed, to bring you to it."

" It was to save my neck," he answered, speaking
this time close to my ear, that he might talk with less
strain. "You see, it was in the days of old Noll,
and I had ventured into my native Sussex— I had
forgotten to say that the old tyrant had set a price
on my head— and was forced to get speedily out.
Luckily, a fellow-Royalist was at hand and lent
me a horse, and on that I reached the seaside and
thence boarded this fisherman, upon which I put out,
as I said. Yes, it was a wild bit of a cruise, and the
craft was none too stiff and firm in her timbers
either." *

" But the master of her," I queried, a little puzzled
by that point in the story, " how did you prevail on
him to take such a risk ? "

"How? Why, to be sure, with a pistol at the
head. He would listen no otherwise."

"And the crew? Had you no trouble with
them?"

" Nay, not a whit. I did but point another pistol
at them— I had two hands in those days— and they
became most tractable."

''You deserved to escape!" I cried admiringly.
" But what then ? Did you come to close straits be-
fore you made the other side ?"

"Yes," he answered, shaking his head, "and at
last we had to cut away the mast. It is too long to
dwell upon, but the wind-up was we finally made
France. It was hard by Calais, and we had started

■§

EER.

:lay even worse

)mmented. "It
ing you to it."
'ered, speaking
t talk with less
s of old Noll,
Sussex — I had
lad set a price
t speedily out.
land and lent
he seaside and
hich I put out,
:ruise, and the
n her timbers,

1 little puzzled
ou prevail on

pistol at the

trouble with

another pistol
ys — and they

d admiringly.
»se straits be-

ead, "and at
s too long to
finally made
e had started

MASTER ARDICK. BUCCANEER. j-

from Eastbourne. There was much tedious pump-
ing to do, and right slow progress under such sail
as we could put upon a jury-mast."

"Lost you your hand in the wars .? " I inquired
thmkmg that he would take no offence at that ques'
tion, seeing that he had been so communicative
already.

"Aye, at Worcester," he answered, his counte-'
nance sobering a little. " I was of those who strove
to cover the king's retreat, and did, for the time
beat back the enemy. A crop-crown finally sheared
away the greater part of my hand, so that I was com-
pelled to retire. I lingered only long enough to
pistol the man and exchange horses with him, mine
bemg well-nigh spent." i

"Surely the king rewarded such zeal and valour
as It deserved," I said with warmth.

He frowned. " Nay, I like not to talk of that I
am a kmg's man and shall be till I die. His Majesty
has many calls upon his favour, and can not be boun-
teous to all. Let us say I have come by a little
estate, a part whereof is invested in this ship, and
havmg neither family nor kin, choose to follow my
money with my time, and so you behold Mr. Super-
cargo. Is not that a sail out yonder ? " He broke
off, and pointed to a white speck on the northwest-
ern seaboard, which hung with such steadiness that
I soon deeded that it was, indeed, a sail. It was
nothing surprising or unexpected, of course, here in
he Channel, and I gave no more heed to it at the

!'T;. '■ ?"" '^"''^^ '■'^'^'^ "S^'" to the cabin,
and the hard weltering of the ship through the heavy
seas went on. The forenoon wore away, and it was

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

about seven bells when, happening to think of the
sail I had seen, I went to the rail to look for it. It
was now about on the lee bow, and much nearer,
and soon I could make out a large ship closehauled
on the starboard tack. She was carrying about the
same canvas as the Industry, which was, indeed, all
that a prudent captain would venture in such a wind
•I continued to watch her, and presently I saw that
she had altered her course and was now standing di-
rectly toward us. This gave her a beam wind. <'nd,
though she immediately reduced sail a little further'
she was unable to put the seas well under ha and
rolled and thrashed heavily along. I conceived it
would have been better seamanship to fetch her head
• a little more to the south, and as this thought oc-
curred to me I happened to glance toward the poop
where the captain and mate were standing, and saw
that the skipper was pulling out and pointing his
glass. He took a long observation, and then, to my
surprise, shook his head energetically and passed the
glass to the mate. Sellinger looked in turn, and al-
most at once lowered the instrument and began
bawling something in the captain's ear. Houthwick
answered by a nod, and turned sharply and ran a
little way aft. He gave a command— I could not
tell what— to the man at the helm, and rapidly re-
turned and descended the poop ladder. The mate
followed, stopping at the bottom to hang the glass
in some beckets, and came to the confines of the
quarter-deck. Houthwick, on the other hand, turned
short at the companion, which he opened, and from
a strap just inside took out his trumpet. He made
no stop, but skurried out to the ladder again, and

KER.

) think of the
ook for it. It
i much nearer,
ip closehauled
nng about the
^as, indeed, all
n such a wind,
itly I saw that
w standing di-
am wind. <'nd,

little further,
inder her, and

conceived it
fetch her head
is thought oc-
ard the poop
iing, and saw
1 pointing his
d then, to my
nd passed the

turn, and al-
it and began
Houthwick
)ly and ran a
-I could not
id rapidly re-
'. The mate
ang the glass
nfines of the
hand, turned
ed, and from
t. He made
r again, and

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER. ,

went up with long, eager strides, the pace faster
than I had ever observed him use before. He was
not yet at the top when the mate roared to me, using
his hand to guide the sound :
" Call all hands ! "

CHAPTER II.

OF THE BRUSH WITH THE BLACK SHIP.

I PLUNGED Off to the forecastle, seizing a hand-
spike as T .-ent. Thundering on the hatch, and then
opening it, I roared down :

''All hands ahoy! Look alive!" In an instanf
there was a bouncing out of bunks and hamm cks
and a rush up the hatch. The fellows popped ou^
'n quick succession, and in a flash the en ie crew
was ranged on deck. ^^

''To the braces!" shouted the captain through
the trumpet. " AH ready to slack and haul- Some
of you forward to tend spritsail ' "

These orders, taken up by the mate, as the veil
ing of the wind drowned in part even tCuf ^
of thp friimr^^f ^ " ^"^ bellowing

scrambled ,7h' ■""" "P""^ ^'^y^", and the crew
scrambled to the.r stations and stood ready

-aas,td:d.o.,,eord:^:^t:tfd,trr:;:r

lowed. In a mere matter of n.oments, so fast did the
men work_„rged on, indeed, by the know dgtla
there was some unusual stress, though is vr ,1
understood imperfectly the cause-i.: that Z Z'.

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

ments the 'last order was carried out, and the ship's
head now pointed due north, I had Icept an eye on
the stranger's movements while we were fetching
the Industry upon the new course, and was not
greatly surprised, on casting my eye that way, to see
the broad bows suddenly fall away from the wind,
and the long black side begin to show. At the same
moment her yards flew round, and thus she too
was pointed north. There could be but one expla-
nation of this last action — the stranger meant to
overhaul us. I was now burning to get speech with
the captain or Sellinger, that 1 might resolve some-
thing more certain out of this stirri' ^>: business; but
for the present they were busied with other matters,
so that I did not like to seek them. By this time the
other ship was near enough to enable me to make out
some features of her build and rig, though as yet no
small details. She was apparently about a fourth larger
than the Industry, and was proportionally broader
in the bows and higher in the stern. Her masts
seemed relatively shorter, and had a sort of stumpy
look, though there was a great show of long yards
and of space for cloth on the boltsprit spars.* She
was painted black, and at this distance I could make
out no ports, so that if she were really a war craft, as I
now began to think, she must have her guns blinded,
a trick not seldom practised by cruisers in those
days. As for her speed, which all on the Industry
must be now trying to guess, there had been as yet
no conclusive test of it, though up to this time she

■^ That is, those spars on the boltsprit, as it was then called,
which carried the sprit-sails.

■""*?&

SER.

and the ship's
ept an eye on
were fetching
and was not
lat way, to see
rom the wind,
At the same
thus she too
Dut one expla-
ger meant to
et speech with
resolve some-
business; but
3ther matters,
J this time the
le to make out
)ugh as yet no
a fourth larger
mally broader
Her masts
ort of stumpy
Df long yards
; spars.* She

I could make

war craft, as I

guns blinded,

sers in those

the Industry

i been as yet

this time she

was then called,

MASTER ARDICK. BUCCANEER. .

had discovered no more than we could show. I made
a these observat.ons in one or two careful gla"ces
and the question now was what was her purpose a' i
, why was she pursuing us? The readiest answer
be come at was that she was Dutch, and was m\ki„
a nying cruise of it in the Channel Tf ™aking

be both faster and stronger Tha!;' s^ ';/:;';;
would be a bold thing, indeed, for a mere wa^n '
a merchant rigger, without broadside g„„s Tnd h,v
.ng no near friendly port for refuge thus to seek
prizes in our narrow seas. While 1 wa turn „g . efe
matters over in my mind, taking care to keen a,^ T
out a. .he while, to be in read'iness To^TnlZV.
ders, the companion opened and the supercar/o
again appeared The mate was standing^: r^
and Mr. Tym at once went over to him, and by his
expression and some words which the w „d took to
me, desired to know what had happened. This w!
the very thing I would have, for now, without nrh
.ng myself into their counsels, I cou d slip a litUe

"r""' did t'h'^ "^'^ "^"^'"'^'^ """ '^^ "'°'^ -'-
er. I did this, advancing from where I had been

standing to the weather rail, just abreast of the great

ror?hir"^"'^'''''^-^^'"«'^e^°4oi

"Ay, a Dutchman, fast enough," the suDerc-,r„„
was saying. " A daring fellow, \oo, and not to be
hghtly shaken off, I fancy. Will it do to set a bit
more sail ? " ^ °^^

" "^'7°"!^ -ot be profitable," the mate answered

21 VT^vt^^nrorxrud"- --"• -

presently quiet a bit, and then

s yonder, it will
we will see what can

!
(

1 i

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

be done. You observe that we hold our own with
the fellow at present, and carry as much as he does,"

"Yes," said the supercargo, perceive that."

" We will make a race with him for the coast,"
pursued the mate, " and it will go hard with us if we
do not give him a shrewd brush."

*' How far might it bt "^ Surely twenty miles."

" Call it a bit more. Say five-and-twenty. We
could make that by nightfall."

" True," said Mr. Tym with a satisfied nod, "and
if he should overhaul us on this course we could try
a bowline."

A long slide of the ship, which swung me about
and made me shift my place, lost me the beginning
of the mate's reply. When I could hear again he
was saying :

" If he should crawl near enough. We saw four
on deck — none, it is true, larger than sakers ; but
there is a kind of house just abaft the foremast,*
and that may be a cover for two or three large
pieces."

"Then fighting will hardly serve," said the super-
cargo reflectively. " Well, let us see how clean a
pair of heels we can show. I will take the glass and
have a look at the fellow. His audacity has some-
thing of charm in it, though I own it might fade
upon a closer acquaintance."

He strode off to where the glass hung (the cap-
tain had brought up another, which he was using
from the poop), and when he had fetched it to the

* The forecastle house, or topgallant forecastle, was rare, if not
unknown, in ships of that date.

CER.

our own with
:h as he does."
ceive that."
or the coast,"
1 with us if we

enty miles."
1-twenty. We

Red nod, "and
i we could try

ung me about

the beginning

hear again he

We saw four
n sakers ; but
;he foremast,*
)r three large

iaid the super-
: how clean a
; the glass and
:ity has some-
it might fade

lung (the cap-
he was using
ched it to the

[c, was rare, if not

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER. --

rail he climbed upon a coil of line and brought it to
bear. I followed the observation with my eye and
saw that the Dutch ship (for such I could not'now
doubt that she was) was keeping the same relative
place, not gaining, but storming along in a heavy
dogged way, her white flash of canvas showing in a
narrow streak as we caught the slant of it, and her
black side riding up huge and imposing.

The supercargo used the glass for some time, but
finally put it by, and went up to have a talk with the
captam. Of course I could not hear what they said
but it was easy to guess that it must be about the
present strait. In a few moments the captain came
to the verge of the poop and called the mate Mas-
ter Sellinger hurried up the ladder, and the three
men talked together earnestly. The mate then came
down agam, and immediately the captain walked to
the colour halyards, and with his own hands ran up
the flag. As it blew out at the mizzen truck the
crew, who, as well as myself, were watching anv-
lously and curiously the doings aft, broke into "a
cheer. All eyes were now on the stranger, fer this
was a clear demand that he should declare his inten-
tions. It was the most stirring moment thus far
since the chase-or race, u you please-had begun.
The long black mass rose on the next crest, and slid
foamuig down into the valley, and again soared and
fell. How we watched her! Lift, lift, she rose, up-
tilted her great house of a stern, and plunged, with
the shock of the parted seas, down the declivity, and
a sw.ftly and mightily rode to the top again and
still not a handkerchief's breadth of bunting' Five
and at last ten minutes, and the same monotonous

illlii I

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

upride and tilt and fall. The captain stood with
straddled legs, silently using his telescope, and the
mate was in the mizzen shrouds scanning the foe
under the pent house of his hand. The supercargo
leaned over the poop rail, holding on hat and wig,
and the rest of us lined the -veather bulwark, in the
waist. Of a sudden the captain lowered his glass
and shut it up. The supercargo turned, catching the
action, and they came together and exchanged a few
words.

" The thing is fetched to a head," said a sailor at
my elbow, with an excited pull at his waistband.

<* You would have it that the stranger's no answer
is answer enough?" I inquired, willing to get the
fellow's opinion, for he was an old salt-water, and
had a look of some wit, besides.

"Ay, Master Ardick," he replied, with an em-
phatic bob of his head, " the thing is settled, as sure
as my name is Jack Lewson. That fellow would
swallow us, bones and all."

He had scarce spoken when Houthwick left Mr.
Tym and stepped briskly to the head of the poop
ladder.

" Master Sellinger, set the mainsail and reef it.
Take out one reef in the foresail."

The mate was off his perch to the deck in an in-
stant, and at his word the men flew to their stations.
The wind had less weight now than formerly, and
blew steadier, but for all that I apprehended that we
were taking considerable hazard to thus swell our
canvas. Yet very quickly the thing was done, and
under the added pressure the ship drove her nose
into the smother, and made a strong lurching start

EER.

lin stood with
scope, and the
inning the foe
rhe supercargo
1 hat and wig,
)uhvark, in the
'ered his glass
d, catching the
xhanged a few

said a sailor at
waistband.
rer's no answer
ing to get the
salt-water, and

, with an em-
settled, as sure
t fellow would

thwick left Mr.
id of the poop

ail and reef it.

deck in an in-
3 their stations.
I formerly, ami
hended that we
thus swell our
was done, and
drove her nose
r lurching start

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

of "it onward. While I was stepping back from the
foot of the main shrouds, and in the act of directing
one of the men to coil up a loose length of halyard,
some one behind me gave a shout, and I turned to'
see that the dark ship was likewise whitening with
added sail. I hurried over an.xiously to the weather
bulwark and mounted it, holding on by a shroud, and
prepared to watch this great and hard test of the two
ships' speed. The Dutch craft, too, as her new sail
caught the wind, gave a swift plunge forward, and
hke us she was now swinging powerfully and gain-
fully ahead.

I looked up at our masts, anxious lest they might
not stand the strrin, or that some weak spar should
give way, but so far all held on stanchly. Yet surely
It was wild work, and a strain upon the mind if
not upon the ship. The canvas was filled as hard
. as wood, and gave out a low roar to the accompani-
ment of the harping of the guys and sheets and
braces, and the din and pounding of the chasing
after-seas. ^

On we raced, and it must have been that the
greater part of an hour went by. So far the Dutch-
man and we were rarely well matched, he driving
along at the same point off our beam, as though
he might be our shadow. But a change was at hand.
All m a moment, as it seemed, his long bulk began
to narrow, the small slant of his sails that we could
see expanded, and at once his pot-round bows rode
leapmg and sinking, into view. He had changed his
plan, and would fly straight at us.

In an instant the trumpet of Captain Houthwick
began to bellow :

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANKER.

'«•

"Man braces! Down helm! Slack lee braces!
Haul in on the weather! Att here, some of you, and
let out a reef in the lateen ! "

It was clear what the skipper would be at. The
cruiser, perceiving that he could not outsail us and
cut us off, meant to close in and try to disable us
with his guns. To prevent this we must tun tail
and make a straight-away run of it. The qucbtion
then to be settled was whether he could get near
enough to wing us, by cutting up our spars and rig-
ging. I thought this all out at a blink, as the Scotch
say, for just at the moment I had to use my fingers
rather than my brains. When I came in from the
boltsprit, having gone there on some matter con-
cerning the drawing of the sail, I found that the
Dutchman was fair astern of us, only the slant of his
sails catching the light, and the rest of him standing
up round and black. I think something like two
hours now passed, only one thing, but that an im-
portant one, happening, which was that the Dutch-
man slowly gained upon us. Twice Captain Houth-
wick altered sail, and once he increased it, but still
the black fellow astern crept up. By this time the
wind had considerably fallen, and hauled a point or
two to the south. The captain called the mate to
the poop and conferred briefly with him. The
supercargo joined them, and I could see by their
gestures and the uneasy way they stirred about as
they talked that they were troubled to resolve
their course. At last Houthwick said something
to which the others appeared to assent, and the
mate hurried off the poop. He espied me, as I
stood by the main shrouds, and beckoned me to

ffHil

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

him. When I came np he said low and in a strained,
quick tone:

"The captain thinks we had best try a gun. I
must serve it. Do you stand ready to help work the
ship. Call the carpenter, and put him in charj^e of
the ma-a/ine. The main hatch will have to be
opened till they can get up the first supply of am-
munition, after which batten it down again. The
rest can come up the companion. 'J'ell Spvglow that
he can fetch out the arms chest and take the pikes
from the beckets and pile them up. No harm to
have things at hand. Stay ! You may likewise get
out the medicine chest, and set it in the open space
'tween-dccks. That must serve as a cockpit, if any
are hurt. Let the cook, who is something of a saw-
bones, go thither. The cabin boy can assist him.
That will do for now, and look alive."

I said "Aye, aye!" in a seeming hearty voice
(though, to own the truth, my heart was beginning
to beat fast, and I felt a bit weak in the knees), and
hurried away. In a few minutes all the orders were
carried out, and the mate was free to try his ex-
periment.

When I returned to the deck the gang-port had
been unhooked, and the gun's canvas jacket taken
off. Its handsome length was shining like gold, and
its tompion was out, and the balls and powder ladles
ordered for loading. An old sailor, by name Hob
Dingsby, who had seen some service on a man-of-
war, and a broad, strong Frenchman— one Pierre
Lovigne— were standing by to assist the mate. I
eagerly looked astern to see what had become of
the foe, and there, to the quickening of my pulse, he

.;<

MUtJO

,1 r
ii ■'

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

was under a mile away. I could now make out the
black dots of figures where the crew were overhang-
ing the bows, and caught a glimpse-as I was almost
sure--of two glistening (,hjects, which could scarce
be other than brass bow swivels. As I turned to see
whether the mate was ready_I mean ready to have
the ship luffed, so that he could secure his aim-I
heard a low, dull boom, and, as 1 whirled again a
bail of smoke blew out from the bows of our pursuer
and wreathed off to leeward.

" He's firing at the moon," said the mate con-
temptuously, and now I saw that the excitement had
struck the colour from the man's cheeks, save for a
little patch of red which showed under the sea-burn
and that his nerves were strung high and firm '

" At the gun ! " called the captain from the poop.
Are you ready. Master Scllinger ? "
"All ready, sir ! "

'' Then to the braces, men ! Luff ! " he roared
back to the two fellows at the helm.

The ship came handsomely into "the wind, and as
she dipped to the bottom of a hollow the mate
gave a swift glance along his gun and applied the
Imstock.

He had loaded while I was below, and I knew not
what the charge was, but it must have contained a
scatter-load, for I saw a tremendous dimple all over
the water, just outside of the Dutchman's forefoot

"A good beginning!" shouted the captain.
"Have at him again !"

We got upon our course once more, and mean-
time the gun was reloaded.

"Ha! he's showing his teeth at last!" cried the

ake out the

e overhang.

was almost

(Kikl scarce

1 rued to see
uiy to have
his aim — I
id ajrain, a
)ur pursuer

mate con-
ement had
save for a

2 sea-burn,
irm.

I the poop.

he roared

id, and as
the mate
)plied the

knew not
itained a
e all over
orefoot.
captain.

id mean-

jricd the

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

mate, pausing with his fuse, which he woe Ki •
up, 'n his hand. ^ ^^^ blowing

He pointed toward the enemv -,,,,1 i . .
in the bows had opened, a, d "tc was T ""'?

e. winder ":t:^^trrr'''"'V'^^^- --•
;-.>-. o. ,.e.ei;„:rHi: ;;ir,' r ^^%---

he is about to irive x^< th« ^ i- ^' ^"'

broadside - ' compliment of his whole

furnished portr Th,f ,., 1 ?' °' '"" °P™ ='"<'
thit fh» f II , ^* ''""''^» 'he bow niece sn

tnat the fellow, after all, had declared hirase f^^' h
a very pretty sort of a ten-gun cr, iser H
were doubtless made to shut vc^y t "ht ' i.h 1, '" t
so he had concealed his teeth as h ' """

them, till now. We beTan t„ ;• \"'" '"'"'

every man held his breath °" "" ""''' """

-ot';:H::ed"'/:h:'k"^ '°"- """' ^ -^y '"" -^

sure, and th ne« , ''°"'''' '^"' ' ^"^ "°'

that a teat sol n T"" -'early before me is

struck th^e deck ' ar'me : H ""'"^'""^ --^-1.

ei-ic sprin ,' a^T :;nt^"oterard T^ T 1
jumped back and as r h;h , ''°''™- ' confess I

something soft and had!'" f ™""' "^ ''^•" "P™

prevent falling' gy hfs t m^T h'/r"" ^"''"^ '"

the quarter-deck and 11 ,. '." "'""=" "^^^'^ '°

blown away |eane,t ' u" ""'"« ""•■' ^'"°«

and lr,„l, 7' «"'""' 'he break of the deck

ana looked around Tho ^- - . - ^k

first arrested mv'.l !, ?"' '''""'"^ ^ ^^^ stumbled
rested my eye, and there, rolled up almost in a

?iffL

ill

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

ball, lay the body of old Dingsby. His belt had
burst with the strain of his doubling over, or per-
haps was cut by the glancing of a fragment of shot,
and it was slipping off Iiim, almost giving him an air
of unbuckling it from the front, his back being
toward me. The mate and the Frenchman were
standing up stiff and bold near the gun, and no one
else had been hurt, that I could perceive.

The captain's figure broke through the passing
cloud of smoke, coming from the helm, or some part
aft, and pausing at the edge of the poop.

"On deck, there, how fares it?" he inquired,
peering down. Then perceiving the body of the old
man-o'-war's man, he answered his own question —
" So they have slain poor Dingsby ! Carry him a
bit aside, some of you, and bestow him in a seemly
sort. We will do better anon. What say you, Mas-
ter Sellinger, have you a sharp word back ? "

" Aye, aye, sir ! " growled the mate. " Luff her,
and I will give her a shrewd answer enough."

"Luff it is, then."

Something hastily, for there was little time for
sentiment, two of the men bore aside the body of
the old sailor, and the others sprang to the braces.
Again we came into the wind, and again the mate
sighted and applied his linstock. The smoke drifted
astern, and I eagerly jumped into the shrouds and
stared through the first clear opening. What was
my delight when I saw the great bulk of the Dutch-
man sawing wildly into the wind, beating up a yeast
of foam, and all a wreck forward, where his fore
topmast and fore topgallant mast hung in a dread-
ful mess from the foremast head. The crew, seeing

ER.

His belt had
over, or per-
;ment of shot,
ng him an air
i back being
nchman were
n, and no one
'e.

1 the passing
or some part

P-

he inquired,
idy of the old
m question —

Carry him a
1 in a seemly
;ay you, Mas-
ck ? "

, "Luff her,
)ugh."

ittle time for
the body of
the braces,
ain the mate
>moke drifted
shrouds and
•;. What was
)f the Dutch-
ng up a yeast
iiere his fore
g in a dread-
crew, seeing

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER. -j

how the thing had gone, burst into a roar of triumph

and the captain, from the poop, took off his cap and

cheered. Even Mr. Tvm after rianninrr u- ■

^>"', drier ciappmg his iron

hook to his head to secure the safety of his wig
plucked off his hat and waved it.

"Give 'em the small pieces now. Master Sel-
hnger!" shouted the captain, as soon as this confu-
sion had abated a little. - Let go those two sakers
while I pop at him with the swivels."

The mate hastily obeyed this order, and let drive
; with one saker after the other, while the captain set
the small pieces a-roaring from above. All this
while the Dutchman was in a great mess of getting
before the wind again, but as yet without full sue
cess though his crew could be seen swarming about
the litter like bees. I do not think we accomplished
anything with our small guns, and presently the
order came to handle ship and fill away upon our old

We had got everything to drawing, and I had
climbed upon the weather bulwarks, my mind very

dering Dutchman, when, with very startling sudden-
ness, a spit of fire darted along his cumbered fore-

my held ^T^'^ ^'^"'"^ '^'^ ^"^^^^ ^^^^ ^^--
my head. I distinctly felt the wind of it and wa^

As I steadied myself on my legs I heard a laugh
above me and on looking up saw Captain Houth-
w.ck stand.ng at the top of the poop ladder He

seeTned aVt' '*' If " '"'' ■"'«''>■—" as i
seemed, at the way I had rolled off the bulwark, and

ij<li:^

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

as I looked up he said something in a kind of chuc-
kling voice, and turned away. I had his tall, broad
figure for an instant in my eye, and then came the
boom as of another gun from the Dutchman, and
before I could move or scarce think the captain
took a long, sinking step backward, whirled, raced
to the edge of the poop, and rounded down in a loose
heap, one arm hanging over the verge.

CHAPTER III.

OF THE COURSE OF EVENTS TILL WE WERE
FINALLY SOUTH BOUND.

Some one behind me shouted, and there v as a
rush of the men and cries, and in the midst of it I
saw the little supercargo dart from some place aft
and raise the captain's head. I leaped to the poop
ladder and flung myself up, and just as I did so
one of the men left the tiller and came running
forward.

" Back to your place ! " I shouted. " You are not
needed here."

I faced him till he saw I was in earnest and
obeyed, and then I turned to the poor captain, with
whom it had fared, indeed, after the worst. His
lower face, save for the chaps, to which some beard
hung, had been shot away, and he was a dead man,
even before I had stopped to speak to the sailor.

" This is sorrowful business," said the supercargo,
rising with a sigh, and covering the shattered face
with his pocket handkerchief. " He was a brave man

ER.

kind of chuc-
liis tall, broad
;hen came the
atchman, and
k the captain
vhirled, raced
)wn in a loose

WE WERE

1 there vas a
; midst of it I
ome place aft
:d to the poop
; as I did so
:ame running

"You are not

1 earnest and
captain, with
i worst. His
h some beard
; a dead man,
the sailor,
le supercargo,
hattered face
s a brave man

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCAx\EER.

and a true. Go you. Master Ardick, and fetch three
of the hands, that we may carry the body below "

As he was speaking Master Sellinger, who must
have waited a moment-as I suppose to quiet the
„ men-sprang up the ladder, and I hurried to the
deck. I summoned the three seamen, and with great
tenderness we brought down Captain Houthwick's
body, which we laid for the time on the quarter-deck
covering it with a tarpaulin. Then, when we had
fetched poor Dingsby's body there also (for now the
dignity of death had wrought in him, making him
or the time of the same rank as the other, where-
fore we laid them together)_when these things were
attended to the mate dispatched us again forward
and or a little we gave our sole attention to the
handling and better speeding of the ship. The
Dutchman's crippled foremast continued to fret him
but he would not give over, and so for a time we
both kept our course, though the Industry all the
while made a small but steady gain. It might have
been half an hour after this that Master Sellinger
called me, and upon my responding said that he
must now retire to the cabin for a little, the further
disposition of the voyage standing to be settled, and
that meanwhile I was to command the ship. With
that, and upon my ascending to the quarter-deck he
made a sign to Mr. Tym and they both went below
He that reads this must make allowance for a nau-
tical term which here does not truly apply, though it
comes ready for convenience, as in truth the cabin
of the Industry was altogether on deck.)

Left in this fashion to myself, I presently con-
ceived It in hne with my business to take an obser-

:1| '^

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

vation of the chase, upon which I fetched the tele-
scope and set the sights. Glasses did not magnify
greatly in those days, but at last I got the fellow
into the field, and when I had steadied the tremble
could make out a number of things about him very
clearly. He was now a good bit away, but I could
easily perceive the crawling swarm of black dots
upon his deck, which showed how full a crew he had
now mustered, and I could likewise detect the glint
of his two great foredeck guns. These had indeed
been masked by the little hutch I had noticed, and
had not been uncovered till a late stage of the pur-
suit. But a still more interesting and unexpected
thing than this I discovered. From the fellow's
main topgallant mast head * now floated the great
Hollander flag. Whether in a manner of boast, to
prove his boldness in venturing into our waters, or
for what other motive the Dutchman had now dis-
played his ensign, I could not guess. There it was,
and we might be sure that we had battled with a
veritable Hans Butterbox, even had not his stumpy
masts, dinner-pot bows, and other peculiarities of
the build and rig of his ship betrayed him.

After a little Mr. Tym and the mate returned to
the deck, their countenances, though sober, cleared,
as I thought, as it might be they had settled their
business to their minds.

They first devoted their attention for a brief
space to the Dutchman, who was still by littles fall-
ing behind, though he had at last set some manner

* The most prominent point to display the colours. There
were then no royal masts.

ER.

hed the tele-
net magnify
3t the fellow
I the tremble
3Ut him very
, but I could
f black dots
. crew he had
ect the glint
i had indeed
noticed, and
e of the pur-
unexpected
the fellow's
ed the great
of boast, to
ur waters, or
lad now dis-
rhere it was,
ittled with a
t his stumpy
:uliarities of
m,

returned to
iber, cleared,
settled their

for a brief
y littles fall-
ome manner

olours. There

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

of fore topsail, and continued doggedly to follow us
and when this scrutiny was ended they walked over
to where I was standing.

" Well, Master Ardick," began Mr. Tym, " doubt-
less you and the crew would by this time relish some
information as to the future business of the voyage
Master Sellinger and I have taken counsel together'
and thmk, please God, to go presently on with it'
We shall stand forthwith into Sidmouth, where we
hope to procure a first mate, which done, with
Master Seihnger raised to be captain, we shall
straightway fetch our course again for Havana "

I knew that Mr. Tym owned a considerable part
of : ne ship, and doubted not that his plan would be
approved of by the other owners, who were, indeed
venturing the voyage on their own account not
having put her under charter, and since his decision
saved time, and seemed reasonable enough, I was
not disposed to regret it, but was rather pleased with
It. Yet of course my opinion was not sought, but
merely my curiosity was vouchsafed to be satisfied
• so I only bowed, and said that the decision would
please the forecastle, as it did me, and with that I
withdrew and went forward.

After a time the Industry's course was changed
and she was laid with her nose almost due north'
and this she held as the Devonshire coast gradually
rose and cut a clearer outline. By this time poor
Hans Butterbox had become discouraged and given
up the chase. Going upon the port tack he had
shown us less and less of his great black bulk, till

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

I was beginning to be surprised that nothing had
been done touching the disposal of the bodies of the
captain and Dingsby, which were still extended on
the quarter-deck, covered with the tarpaulins, but I
was now to understand the reason of the delay and
apparent neglect. Master — or I must now say
Captain — Sellinger presently came to the confines
of the quarter-deck, and, having called us before
him, told us that it was Captain Houthwick's oft-
expressed desire to be buried in the sea, which desire,
he said, he had determined to comply with. As Dings-
by was an old sailor, and was not known to have
any family, it was the opinion of Mr. Tym and him-
self that it would be well and fitting to let his body
accompany his old captain's. No one raised any op-
position to this, or indeed struck in with a word, and
so the sea burial for both these brave mariners was
settled upon. Captain Houthwick, indeed, had
neither wife nor children living, and no near kin, it
was said, so there was the less to be complained of
by any one that his own wishes were to be so scru-
pulously carried out. We sewed the two bodies up
in their canvas shrouds, heavy weights were placed
at their feet, and they were balanced on planks
across the bulwark. All uncovered, and Mr. Tym
read a prayer. As a rough voice or two joined in
the amen. Captain Sellinger gave the signal and the
bodies were shot into the water. The splashing
they made was lost in the racing by of the next sea,
and we solemnly drew in the bare planks and the
doleful business was over. In the forecastle an
auction was immediately held of the dead sailor's
belongings, in this following the ancient sea custom.

:r.

nothing had
bodies of the
extended on
aulins, but I
he delay and
St now say
the confines
^d us before
thvvick's oft-
which desire,
1. As Dings-
Dwn to have
ym and him-
let his body
lised any op-
1 a word, and
mariners was
indeed, had
D near kin, it
Dmplained of
) be so scru-
vo bodies up
were placed
d on planks
nd Mr, Tym
svo joined in
G^nal and the
he splashing
the next sea,
inks and the
orecastle an
dead sailor's
: sea custom,

I MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER. ,-

e Of

and within an hour from his mournful slide into the
deep his scanty wardrobe— all he had— was parted
among his shipmates. So it was in the forecastle,
and in the cabin we had something to the same pur-'
pose, for my Captain Sellinger stepped briskly into
my late Captain Houthwick's shoes— in a figurative
sense— and forthwith everything went on as before.

We ran into Sidmouth without trouble or delay,
and when the anchor was cast Captain Sellinger
ordered the gig, and was pulled ashore. He did not
return till morning, and then fetched with him a
stranger, whom he presently declared to us as the
new mate. I immediately fell into some wonder-
ment at the looks of this man. He was tall-taller
by an mch than I-round-backed, gaunt, and mar-
vellously old-looking in the face, though he could not
have been above five-and-thirty. His hair was jet
black and coarse, and there was scarce a thread of
gray m it, despite that his countenance was so worn
He had httle, fierce eyes and a great Roman nose!
and his mouth-to conclude his picture-was wide,
but fell m, and would seem to be often mumbling,
owmg to the loss of his teeth.

I cculd hardly conceive why Captain Sellinger
should cnoose such a man, for it seemed to me that
he must be harsh and of an ill temper, which the
captam was not, and had never seemed to approve
of. It soon came out that the port was almost bare
of good seamen, as some were gone in the new fieet
(of the king's), and others had shipped in the many
vessels bound for Aaierica, so that a choice of
mates, as the case stood, must needs be passing nar-
row. After all, this Master Pradey (such was his

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

name) had certain worth} people to recommend
him, and it might be, notwithstanding his looks, that
he would turn out well enough, and at least could
be put up with.

We soon made sail, and after a time worked out
from the coast and fetched our bows once more to
the west. We kept a sharp lookout for suspicious
craft, but saw no signs of any, and at last began to
think that our bad luck was over, and that we
might now be speeded by good fortune, having be-
gun so ill.

In the business of getting the ship under way
and sailing her to this point, the new mate acquitted
himself well, and in nowise after the harsh manner
promised by his looks, which was indeed in the na-
ture of a pleasant disappointment, so persuaded
were we all that he had the will to be a tyrant.
However, the captain was almost constantly on deck,
which must have curbed him, had he ever so great a
desire to rate and storm, and yet we could not say
that he had looked at any with the air of wishing to
be worse than he was, wherefore we had to confine
our ill opinion of him as yet to his ugliness, which
was indeed passing great. ,

In reasonable time we cleared the Channel and
began to climb the long Atlantic swells. We saw
nothing more of the Dutchman, and little appre-
hended any further alarms from him, as he must by
this time have consulted prudence and taken him-
self out of these waters. We had repaired the little
damage he had done to our spars and rigging, and
thus, as we finally made the open sea, we seemed in
good case to go blithely on with the voyage.

"'^i

recommend

s looks, that

least could

worked out
nee more to
r suspicious
.St began to
tid that we
, having be-
under way
te acquitted
irsh manner
i in the na-
persuaded
e a tyrant.
tly on deck,
■ so great a
aid not say
wishing to
[ to confine
ness, which

hannel and
s. We saw
ittle appre-
ie must by
taken him-
jd the little

igging, and
! seemed in

ge.

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

Several days now passed, during which we had
favourable winds, and the Industry made very good
progress. One morning, being sent on some matter
to the hold, 1 heard a running about and shouting
on deck, and on calling up to learn the cause was
told that a large ship was in sight.

''She's a fast craft-by the way we are raising
her," said the fellow who was speaking, "and the
captain is in a hurry to bring her into his glass. He
is halfway up the weather shroud, a-goggling away
as though for his life."

I dropped what I was doing and climbed hastily
out of the hatch.

CHAPTER IV.

OF THE MOVING TALK OF THE YOUNG SAILOR, AND
THE STRANGE BEHAVIOUR OF AN OLD ONE.

I HAD thoughts of another Dutchman as I made
for the deck. If mynheer was so bold in the Channel,
he was surely to be dreaded here, and it would be a
marvel, so this fast ship proved to be of his nation
and for war, if we escaped in the easy fashion that
we did before.

I was up the main shrouds at once, the captain
and Master Pradey being in the fore, and when I
had well cleared the deck I stopped and took a long
look.

The stranger was in the southwestern seaboard,
hull down and with only his topsails and the upper
part of his courses showing, and at the moment was

' if

I! h\

{ ''

^il

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

Standing on the starboard tack. This brought him
well forward of our lee beam, as we were on the
larboard tack and headed somewhat south of south-
west. He was rising rapidly, as his swift whitening
and enlarging showed, and at this rate would be
hull up and distinct in the course of a few minutes.
I watched him eagerly, alternating v/ith curious
glances at the captain, who still stuck to his post
with the glaLS screwed -n his eye, and presently was
able to make out the long dark line of his hull, as it
rose for an instant to the top of a swell. He con-
tinued to enlarge, and soon th, whole oblique range
of his sails was plainly in view.

Of a sudden the captain lowered his glass and
said something to the mate. I did not catch what
it was, but Master Pradey gave a nod, as though
of satisfaction, and at jnce swung down to the
deck.

"Run up the colours!" he shouted, flourishing
back the knot of men who presently drew about
him.

A sailor sprang away, and in a few seconds the
flag was mounting aloft. While this was doing I
saw Mr. Tym descend from the mizzen rigging, his
telescope strapped on his back, and guessed from
his easy mien that he too was satisfied with the looks
of the stranger. We could now make out his flag,
though nothing upon it, yet easily guessed that it
must be English, or at least friendly, and with this
contented ourselves till he should draw nearer.
Master Pradey had betaken himself to the poop, and
the captain was still in the rigging, so we had no
one to assure us what the telescope had made out,

)ro light him
ere on the
h of south-
t whitening
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;\v minutes,
ith curious
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esently was
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5 glass and

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as though

wn to the

flourishing
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seconds the
as doing I
■igging, his
essed from
1 the looks
It his flag,
;ed that it
d with this
aw nearer.
: poop, and
we had no
made out,

MASTER ARDICK. BUCCANEER. ^j

though from what had happened we could fetch a
shrewd guess.

After a little Captain Sellinger shut up his glass
and descended to the deck, and upon espying me
called me to him, and ordered me to put the In-
dustry in a posture for defence. " Yon ship flies
the English flag," he said, -but she may be an
enemy, for all that, and we will not be caught nap-

1 did as he commanded, and speedily had sail
shortened, the magazine opened and several charges
of ammu:ution bestov. jd just under the main hatch
I also unlocked the arms chest, and saw that the
hand weapons were fit for use. When this was done
I hastened again on deck and remained watching
tiie strange ship, which was now coming on at a fine
swelling rate.

She drew gradually nearer, and soon with the
naked eye we could make out the design upon her
flag. It was St. George's Cross, as we had suspected
and, moreover, we could now read English build and
ng m a score of little peculiarities, discernible at
least to a sailor's eye. She was a handsome craft
not too narrow in the beam, yet shapely, and with a
perfect cloud of white, well-fitted can^as on her
tall spars. She was painted light green, with a wide
gilded streak, and showed two ports for bow-chasers
(contrary to the custom of merchantmen), besides a
large gun amidships, and the usual equipment of
sakers and swivels.

By this time we could make out the groups of
the officers and men— there must have been at lenst
two score persons in all-and even distinguished, in

MASTER ARDICK. BUCCANEER.

a rough way, their faces, noting at least those who
wore long beards, and the like.

When we were less than half a mile apart the
stranger began to luff, edging along only with a
small way, and so crept within quarter of a mile
when he clewed up some of his sails, and came
squarely into the wind. We had already put up our
helm, seeing that he would have speech with us, and
upon this clewed up the remaining light sails' and
hauled up the mainsail. The two ships now lay
head and head, rising and falling gently with the
swell. Our captain took his trumpet, and a tall,
dark-bearded man coming to the rail of the other
ship, also with a trumpet, the hailing began.

"Ship ahoy!" bellowed the other captain
"What ship is that ?"

"The Industry, Sellinger master," returned our
skipper.

"Where bound?" came from the other trumpet

"Havana."

"This is the Happy Hess, Captain Torrycorn."
announced the skipper of the other Miip after a little
pause. " We are from i\ew York for London. Will
you take a letter for us?"

"Aye, aye ! " bellowed our captain back.

At once there was a stir on the deck of the other
ship, and in a few moments a boat dangled down
from the davits, the captain and two sailors in her,
and dropped with a neat splash into the water.

"Put over the gangway ladder," said Captain
Selhnger; which we did, and the other captain was
soon with us.

After passing a word or two of the usual sort

MASTER ARDICK. BUCCANEER.

that is, concerning their respective ships, ,.orts, and
so on_they came to the business in hand, and Cap-
tain Forrycorn produced his letter.

"It is for Mr. Jeremiah Hope, of Havana." he
said, a gentleman that you very likely know, liy
some gomg astray it was put aboard my ship, and
but for you must have taken a long tack before it
was delivered."

•' I vvill cheerfully relieve you of it," answered
Captain Selhnger. "I do not know Mr. Hope, but
have heard of him, and understand that he is a gen-
tleman of worth and consequence. But step into my
cabin now, and let us have a drop, as we sav, to
sweeten the bilge. After that we will go into mat-
ters more at large."

<->tain Torrycorn .nade uo stand at this, and
mdeed his bulbous , ,se showed that he was no; one
to decline such an invitation, and the two skippers
passed into the cabin. Yet before Captain Sellinger
closed the door he ordered me to summon Master Pra-
dey who wn. on the after part of the poop, and like-
wise to ha aboard the two sailors, that were till
now keeping the gig. I ventured to ask if we might
not for the ship's sake, broach a cask of ale, and was
kindly answered m the affirmative ; , '.ore non I has-
tened to execute both commands

Master Pradey was never a sociabi. man, but I

suppose he conceived that the captain's wish wis well

nough to regard ; wherefore, with a cold nod to me

he repaired to the cabin. I must say aere as the

matter will eventually have significance, t'hat he

strolled forward, halting at last by the after gang-

)•"!;'

If.

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

port (near the foredeck), where and whereabouts he
continued during the rest of Captain Torrycorn's
visit.

I made Icnown the captain's good nature to the
men, by whom it was received with great favour, and
they were not slow in having the two tars out of the
boat. Then, having fetched up the ale, all proceeded
to set off their pipes and gather round for the
news. I took my own stand near by, a bit outside
the circle, but within hearing. Both the visitors-
judged at a glance— were ordinary English sailors,
brown, bluff, and sturdy, with jaw tackle doubtless
on an easy run, once the bowl had passed. They
gave us a brief account of their ship, growled over
the provisions, which, it seems, were of a particularly
wretched sort, and in turn fell to questioning us.
We gave them the home news, and added some spice
at the end by an account of our brush with the
Dutchman. This brought out a lively round of talk,
the purport of which was that the Dutch had won-
drous assurance, but for a fair fight, with even metal,
were naught beside the English. When this had
passed some one brought up the doings of our
ships abroad, and notably in piratical waters, and
from here we naturally fell to talking of the buc-
caneers.

"Nay, mates," said the younger of the two sail-
ors, " I think I can say a word there that shall put a
little tingle into your blood. I trow every jack of
you has heard of Henry Morgan ?"

"Ay, ay!" cried near all our fellows together.
"The great freebooter," added several.

" Belay there, mates, and hear me," said the sailor,

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANELii.

flourishing his pipe for silence. " Hast heard what
Captain Morgan is now about ? "

"No, no!" cried the crew.

"Well, mates, it is the greatest thing conceived
by English sailors since the days of Drake. Naught
less than the taking of Panama ! "

Our men broke out in a heartv note of applause

"We had it from the brig Prince James, that had
spoken the Starlight, and her captain had the news
straight from Sir Thomas Modyford, governor of
Jamaica," went on the sailor. "So I conceive it
must be true. Captain Morgan is even now getting
his crews and ships together. He will rendezvous
at Hispaniola, and fetch thence to St. Catherine's,
whither he will sail straight to the isthmus.'

"Stay a moment," I struck in at this point, and
speaking with a disapproving air. " I think but lit-
tle of this news of yours. What have the Spaniards
done to us that we should deal with them in such a
fashion ? To my thinking it is no better than rank
piracy."

" Yet it has the warrant of the King, else report
is a liar," said the sailor briskly.

" x\ay," said I coldly, " I must needs have proof
of that. I can not think his Majesty would consent
to such ill-doing. Besides, England and Spain are
at peace, and this should surely involve them in
war."

" Well, Master Ardick, you take me out of sound-
ings there," said the sailor, with a laugh. "I must
stick to my facts— for facts I still think they be—
and let such deep matters go."

I saw that nothing was to be gained by this talk

I.'- !

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T^t:

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

with the fellow, who was, indeed, of better parts
than I had supposed, and a kind of " sea lawyer," as
the saying is, wherefore I let my argument fall, only
drawing myself up with some stiffness, as though
in a little contemi)t of his answer. He fetched a
complacent whiff or two, and directly went on.
"It is said that Morgan will have close upon two
thousand men and above fifty ships, with arms and
other outfit to match. He will sail first for Char-
gre, and after takmg that will march straight upon
Pan.ima. The governor is already in fear of him,
and IS preparing to make a mighty defence of the
city, but I trow one that will avail him little. A
good crew of English tars, with pistol and hanger,
and heartened with a pull of strong waters, shall
overmatch a whole beggarly army of Jack Spaniards !
Then the city taken, what spoil and reward!"
Here the fellow's eye lighted. "Why, I have it
from them that should know that Morgan and his
men fetched home nigh three hundred thousand
pounds from Puerto Velio, besides silks, spices,
and the like! Then what must be the spoil of
Panama ?"

" Nay, nay," said I uneasily, for now I began to
fear the influence of such talk on the men; "this is
all an ill business Morgan and his fellows are but
pirates, letters of commission or no, and it will be a
wonder if they do not end their days on the gallows,
which at least they deserve ! "

But here some grumbling arose from our fellows.
" 'Vast, Master Ardick ; brace not so sharp up,"
said one. "A commission from the King is deep
water enough for me," said a second. "Who would

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER

' ' ■ 47

be nice of a Spaniard?" said a third. And so ti:e
murmur went around.

"Nay, then, listen an' y„u will," I said, with
some o.sgust. ''Little good will it do you, unless
you mean to join Morgan yourselves, and that I
conceive, you can scarce do at present."

With this I withdrew a bit into the background
>et not so far, I must admit, but I could hear the'
further talk.

"Panama taken," pursued the sailor, who was
now o.-^^ at his ease, and flourished his pipe in an
impr style, "there will be some srall jollity for

pool jacK. Not less than a month in the citv I will
be bound, and no man overhauled for steerino- his
own course ! You shall conceive me, mates, what
that may mean ! Rare women, I am told, there be
in Panama, and not least a considerable nunnery
Besides, there are the old wines and the noble
pieces of eight! "

Our foolish fellows must break out again in an-
plause. '

" What is the last great thing Morgan has done ' "
presently asked one.

"Why, the taking of Maracaibo," answered the
orator, ma little surprise. " Know you not of that ?
Nay: I hen listen. Morgan sailed there with a
small fleet, and after much fighting took the town
and looted it. He got considerable store of money
and rich laces and silks, and matters like those, and
also quite a company of beautiful women. He re-
mained a little time, and was on the point of depart-
'ng, when certain of a fleet of Spanish war ships ar-
rived. You must know that Maracaibo is not just

i.iil

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

upon the sea, but rather withdrawn a little, with a
considerable lake and stream between. The dons
garrisoned the forts, of which there were two, and
made ready to move upon Morgan. He, as it ap-
peared, was in something of a trap, for beyond the
lake there are great bogs and almost impassable
forests. Moreover, the Indians hereabouts are
friendly to the Spaniards. But Morgan called a
council of his captains, and when he had taken their
minds conceived straightway what he would do.
He first feigned to be making ready to land and
march by the rear of the forts, and while this was
doing withdrew his largest ship and filled her with
all manner of combustibles. He then had the cap-
tives and the plunder into boats — this done covertly
— and prepared to start. By this time the dons had
fallen into his trap, which is to say, they thought he
was about to assail them from the rear, wherefore
they called all hands and with labour dragged over
their big guns and pointed them from that side. No
sooner was this done than Morgan gave the sig-
nal, and down he and his fleet moved, the fire ship in
advance. Up against him came a goodly Spanish
vessel, one that had newly arrived, and straight she
and the fire ship fetched to a grapple. Then, my
mates, conceive me the Spanish curses ! For the
stuff in the fire ship was touched off, and at the same
tirre Morgan abandoned his other ship, and in the
boats alone swept on and passed the forts. He gave
them a broadside from his small arms and two swiv-
els, and continued without scathe out of cannon shot,
and thence, at his leisure, to the sea. The other
Spanish ships perceiving him coming, and their own

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

flagship in flames, fetched about and incontinently
fled. Thus he escaped his enemies, and after a Httle
delay was back once more in Jamaica, where he is
now, as I have told you, ready to bring more glory
to England, and put more gold in the lean purses
of her tars."

By this time I had fully resolved that the fellow
was but a windy forecastle orator and harmless of
himself, so he did not lead away men of weaker
understanding. Our crew continued to question
him, and he related more doings of Morgan, and so
they went on till the matter was, as I conceived,
talked out. We had a little discourse of other
things, and presently the two captains came up from
below, and our visitors knocked the ashes from
their pipes and hied them to their boat. The other
captt.in gone, we got the cloths upon the ship, and
shortly she was drawing away on her course.

The Happy Bess speedily followed our example,
and in a brief period after her canvas snowed down
from her yards was a mere picking out of white on
the northeastern seaboard.

Matters on the Industry now went on as before,
and, except that we had more Morgan talk and a lit-
tle mooning and sighing from some of the men,
there was nothing to disturb the former monotony.'
We continued to drop our latitude, the wind holding
as it was, and in a little better than two days more
were almost due east of the Bermudas.

One evening, being newly come out to take
charge of my vvatch, I lighted my pipe and sauntered
off leisurely to the poop, meaning to take a look at
our course. I had proceeded as far as the ladder,

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MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

and I think even had one foot upon it, when I heard
my name sharply yet stealthily called. I halted, in
some surprise, and found that the speaker was old
Jack Lewson.

"St! Master Ardick," he said, shuffling up hur-
riedly. " Belay jaw tackle and stow this away. Over-
haul it when nobody is looking."

He thrust a bit of paper into my hand and slipped
away. The poop was partly in shadow, and helped
cover his movements till he had reached the opposite
bulwark, when he pulled up and quietly lighted his
pipe.

What could be in the wind ?

CHAPTER V.

OF A VERY STIRRING PIECE OF BUSINESS.

I WAS eager and I might say anxious to know
what the slip of paper contained, and determined to
examine it without delay. I would not take it to the
bittacle, for there the helmsman might see me, and
yet I was for making use of the bittacle lanthorn. I
ascended the poop ladder, turning over a little plot
in my mind, and when I was nearly up with the bit-
tacle box I stopped and uttered a sharp excla-
mation.

"A shilling! " I growled. "Curses light on the
villainous tailor that must leave a pocket as open as
a chimney ! 1 must have a fling of your lanthorn."
I took it out of the box without w'aiting for his con-
sent, and whisked it around to the hither side. The

MASTER ARDICK. BUCCANEER.

fellow dare not leave his tiller, even had he sufficient
"Ueres or cm-.osity to do so, and for the instan'
was safe I held the paper low that none forward
could make me out, and on spreading it open dis

covered that it bore a few lines of nL V II no "
|.gly wr,tn,g. Tl.ey had the seeming, indeed o^
havng been traced with a bit of chalcoa lo rt,^
ponu of a charred stick. I brought all my clerk Iv
powers to bear, and, in quicker time than I con j
have hought possible, finally deciphered the w'ords
Luckdy they were few in number. " .Men be Von.
to mutn,ize" (so the missive ran). " " „t dn "
The mate, hee is the leeder. I am watched" '

It seemed to me at that moment that the fellow
at the w eel must have heard the throb my et
gave^ I ooked at him as I straightened upla. h
black outhnes, as he bowed over the tiller tackle-
and hung for the moment all in the wind. I have it
in my mind that I saw, somewhat as one sees in a
dream the various details of n^y surroundings- he
great falhng shadow of the lateen; the farjf, light

efrh'r^ 'r T"' "'="«"^ ""-- °^ '

sea, w,th Its slow heave and fall, caught now and

»gam w,th a faint sparkle. I think my physical eves

ookrn these things even while .ny mi'ni Cflutr

g m the w,„d, so to speak; but at least I know

I o Lh T '' M, °°'' °" '"<= bewilderment, and,
though I was stdl under a vast strain, I quietly
poked up the lanthorn and marched bak a'd e-
stored It to its place.

stoo'n?d°°'^ '"'''" ' "''" ">" "">• °< ^-"Planation. I
topped a moment and peered at the compass card.
»teers easy, I am guessing."

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MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

" Aye, sir, with now and then a kick," answered
the man a little gruffly.

I left him and walked leisurely to the head, of
the ladder, whence, with a careless air, I surveyed
the deck. By the faii.t light of the stars I could
make out the dim shapes of two of the men, and a
red spark by the foot of the mainmast, where a third
was at the moment starting his pipe. None were
very near, which was the thing I would know. The
foot of the poop must lie well in shadow, so that
one slipping up to the companion and slyly opening
it would run but small risk of being seen. I was
heavy and heartsore under the sudden smiting of this
business, and could not yet persuade myself that it
was all true, or bring myself into the heart of it to
appreciate it. Wherefore, as I began now to descend
the poop ladder I did so in a stiff, mechanical fashion,
as one moves at a word of command, and not of his
own free will. I would not refine upon this, and yet,
to put you clearly in my place, I must declare to you
that what I was now doing seemed distorted and
away from the reality of thing,., and in a sort mon-
strous. That these fellows, with every seeming of
decency, if not honesty, should turn outlaws and
desperadoes, and come, perhaps, to cruel murderers,
did to me almost pass belief. *' Never," I was thinking
but a little season before, " was a set of sea dogs better
treated, and sure few crews ever grumbled less. Eng-
lishmen though most of them be." And now they make
a single step of it to rogues and gallows birds ! And
the mate ? Seldom, I trow, does the cabin conspire
with the forecastle in a thing like this ! Ah, the
monstrous villain ! But I was ready to believe it of

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER. --

him Yes, Nature had fitted him with a figurehead
to label him plainly pirate and murderer '

I can not pretend that just these refiections, or all
of them, passed through my mind as I descended the
adder and stole along the deck. Some of them did
I am sure, and some may slip out of my imagination
now, as I fire up in the thought of it, and seem to
belong to that time. I]e that as it may, I had dread-
ful refiections enough, I will be bound, as I whipped
along the deck and stole up to the companion door

I threw one swift glance around and saw no one
apparently looking. The Uvo nearest men had swung
about and were facing aft, and the smoker had
hitched partially around, giving me the square of his
shoulder Now was my opportunity. I darted in
closing the door after me. A glance showed that a
lighted inthorn hung against the mast, but the berth
^^as empty. I stopped for nothing further, but strode
long and softly toward the captain's cabin This
was the first-counting from the starboard side-of
the three after-rooms, the next being occupied by the
ma e and the third by the supercargo. I skirted the
table and reached the door and put out my hand to
rap gently upon it. While yet my knuckles werp
presented, the door farthest on my right-that is to
say, the supercargo's-abruptly opened, and Mr.
iym himself put out his head.

I fell back a step, not being prepared for this
.nterruption, and ere I could speak or utter a caution
he strode out and hailed me sharply :
" Stand ! What do you seek ? "
''Hist hist! •• I said, in a sharp whisper. " \
word with you, if you will, but no noise."

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MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

By this time he recognised me, which now I saw
that he had not at first, and he fell back without a
word, and motioned for me to enter. I whipped in
with all speed, and immediatfly that I was past him
he gently closed the door. He had not turned in,
it seemed, but was sitting up fully dressed, a book
open on the table supplying the reason. The berth
lanthorn was lighted, as was likewise a small lamp,
the latter set in a fixture against the bulkhead.

I immediately advanced my lips to his ear, and
acquainted him, in the fewest words possible, with
what was doing. "Speak cautiously, sir," 1 con-
cluded, "for you know the mate's berth adjoins
this."

He took away his head, and looked a*- me as one
thunderstruck. Instead of answering, he plucked off
his barnacles and put them in the case, and walked
to the window. I conceived that he might be col-
lecting his wits, which must be a little shaken, and
that without any impairment of his courage. But in
a moment he w^as back, and now his countenance had
such a high, bold aspect that it was impossible to
mistake it. Cla-^ping up his hand to guide the
sound, he said in my ear :

"We will confound the arch villain. Stay but a
moment, till I can prepare, and we will be about it."

My own spirits and courage rose at this, and I
stood up very sturdily, as I nodded assent.

He thereupon softly advanced to the wall, whence
he took down his sword and buckled it on, and from
beneath his bunk produced a box, which proved to
contain a brace of pistols, with powder and ball.

He handed these weapons to me with a sign to

<! t

MASTFR ARDICK, BUCICANEER.

load them, and while I

was obeying him I

c took from

a covered shelf agamst the bulkhead a little iron
tool which at f.rst 1 took to be a kind of awl, and
this he proceeded to screw into the wooden cap of
his arm, having Hrst removed the iron hook 1
guessed that this must be a kind of pointed dagger
or stdetto, but had not the time then to deterniine
I went on with th^ charging of the pistols, but lack-
ing practice (and I dare say being a trifle unsteady)
made but slow work of it, and was relieved when
Mr. Tym could help me, which he did with a rapidity
and deftness that speedily concluded the business

I was now ready to hear him declare his plan but
he first took from a nail a coil of small cord, after
which he whispered in my ear :

" Before aught else is done we must secure the
mate. Ihat stands clear in my mind. And we may
not vva.t to summon the captain, lest the fellow take
the alarm. Mark me, 1 will knock on his door, and
say I desire to speak with him. On his appearance
we will each clap a pistol to his head-take you this
-and compel him forth and bind him. For the
carrying out of that I have this cord, which is pass-
•ng effectual for the purpose. Pradev secured the
ackbone of the mutiny is broken, and the ca;tain
must deal with the rest. Art ready ? "

•' Aye " said I steadily, but with no little stirrincr
ot the pulse, " quite ready." . '^

He softly opened the door, and we stole out
Ihe lanthorn was burning, but now very dimly
for ,t was a candlelight, and the wick grievously
needed snuffing. The lats seemed to be bold, or
else the stillness and the suspense of the moment

% . J.

5^^

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

made them seem so, for, as I crossed the threshold,
1 heard a sharp, sudden little knuckiii}; from some-
where in the shadow of the table. It gave me a
start, and I glanced that way, only to discover that
which alfected my nerves a vast deal more. A tall
but stooped figure made a scrambL from all-four
to its feet, and with one long, straddling bound was
bursting out of the companion.

" Tradey ! " yelled the supercargo, and let fly with

his pistol.

I could see that he was too late, and thereupon,
with a shock of alarm and mortification, I made a
dash of it also, and flew through the open door. The
mate was bounding off the quarter-deck to the main,
shouting out something which I did not catch, and
in a veritable fury I let go my pistol. 1 could not
have made a close shot, but his yelling increased,
and now I could see the crew pouring out of the
forecastle hatch, and the watch running toward
him. I had the sense to perceive that all was up,
and sullenly retreated, stopping at the companion to
shoot the bolt of the door.

When I turned about, though the place was still
a little smoky, I made out both the supercargo and
the captain, the latter in his shirt, with a drawn
sword in his hand.

*' Pray you dress," said Mr. Tym, with excellent
coolness, as the captain stood fast, glaring fiercely
toward the companion. " Nay, we are safe enough
for the mioment," he added, glancing down at the
door leading into the 'tween-decks, which I now per-
ceived he had secured.

♦' The abominable villain ! " growled Sellinger, re-

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER. 57

laxing his warlike attitude, however, and lowering
his point. «' I will take your adviee, and be with you
presently."

He withdrew into hi- btih, and Mr. Tytn suid to
me, almost humorousl ;

"Abominable or rot, h? pi.yed a shrewd part,
and is like to reap the i varH of it. A very pretty
piece of eavesdropping, in ..eed. I pray you snuff that
candle, which offends my nose as well as burns illy."

•' Here is the old fellow in his fighting mood," 1
said to myself, as I obeyed him and snuffed 'the
candle. " I think I can conceive him now as he was
at Naseby. Yea, and when he made the captain and
crew of the lugger to prefer the gale to his anger.
How will it be with us now ? " I asked aloud. " Can
we make a sufficient defence, think you?"

"Nay," he answered coolly, "not if they stand
to it with heart. You conceive that they have in all
points the advantage. They can starve us out— for
we have nothing beyond a few biscuits, and no drink
but wine— or can batter in the doors, and bear us
down by main force ; or they can set a watch upon
us, and keep us boxed up here till they reach some
convenient point, when they can scuttle the ship,
and leave us in the plight of so many inconvenient
kittens."

" Stay ! " I cried, as a sudden thought struck me.
"I think they will be at none of that. I mean the
scuttling. Remember you not the magpie from the
Happy Bess ? He that yarned so concerning Mor-
gan ? I am ready to swear that his talk and the
mate's scheming have brought this about. These
rogues will be for turning pirates."

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

; li

I had just uttered this when Captain Sellinger
came out of his cabin. He was fully dressed, save
for his coat, and was now armed with a brace of
pistols in addition to his sword.

" What was that talk of pirates ? " he asked, hav-
ing, it seemed, caught my last word.

"Why," said I, " that it seems to me these fel-
lows will be for mastering the ship and then joining
Captain Morgan. They have been inclined thereto,
I am sure, from the enticing yarns of that sailor
from the Happy Bess, and also worked upon, I
doubt not, by the mate."

"I believe you have hit the nail on the head;"
cried the captain, with a savage slap on the table.
** Oh, that snake ! Aye, he is at the bottom of it.
These simpletons would not have risen but for
him. On my soul, never was a crew better treated.
Such pork and such beef, and such soft tack on
Sundays, and then the scouse and the ale ! Ah,
well, it avails not talking of it. What is your
counsel, Master Tym ? What may we do in such a
strait?"

I perceived here that Captain Sellinger was not
of the parts for an emergency like this, that Captain
Houthwick was. He was brave enough, and so that
there was one above him to take the responsibility,
could be sufficiently cool— as witness his handling
of the gun in our brush with the Dutchman— but
when he must himself be ac the head he was like to
fall into a state of uncertainty, whence he might be
expected either to do too little or too much. Be-
sides, in the present matter he was somewhat over-
borne by ius anger and just indignation.

MASTER ARDICK. BUCCANEER.

My CO

Tym without hesitati

unsel is of the simplest," answered

on. "We should stand cl

^he doors, lest they take it into their h
through, and watch sharply every

ear of

eads to shoot

misht seek .0 catch ."at-adV:,;t?,:;'"p;v:is;a„cr^

he added abruptly, and with a wonder ul 1 , %
sm,le, " they might appear yonder ■• ' "'

Qu.ck as thought his pistol went up, „„d broke
"to an mstant report. He had aimed at a snot Tu«
at my back, and by the shattering of g'a ' C
efore I could turn my head, I knew i to'L: one of
e grated w ndows. As I whirled about some bits
of d,e glass fe, down within, and it seemed to me
tliat I heard a faint, distant shriek

" If I did not hit him he will drown," said the old

I was a little startled at the beginning of this

mutated Mr. 1 ym ,„ reloading my weapon I h,n,l
scarce poured the powder into the pan whe"' I La d
the movement of feet on deck.

ould. Secretly my heart began to thump. "Aye
and another gang advances 'tween-decks,' I added
as I also heard a stir there '

tones' ""lir?"''?"" "'' ^"Percargo, in low, hard

™ h Yet rrft! Uh "" "" '''^""^' """ '"» ^

batter wid T ^ ^ '"""'• '"' "'''^' ^'^^ ""^y ""y
natter with, have made a fair opening Master a/

*ck you have no sword , therefo'rc re^ain'::™::.^^.-
»ck. Also I would counsel you to whip yon cloak

■„[

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

about your left arm, that it may serve in a sort as a
shield. Pistols forward, friends ! They come ! "

CHAPTER VI.

OF THE STAND THAT WE MADE, AND DIVERS EVENTS
THAT FOLLOWED.

I KNOW not what manner of implements the fel-
lows used, but they were passing effectual, for both
doors crashed in at the first assault, and we caught
sight of their pack of bodies and bristle of weapons.
But an instant so, and then we all let go in a volley,
making a tremendous noise in the small place and
confusing everything with smoke. One fellow in the
opening of the companion fetched a dreadful howl,
as high-pitched as a dog's, and before the sound was
well out of him, thrust headlong forward and crashed
down at our feet. The gang in the door thereupon set
up a great roaring and cursing, and in the midst of it
four or five of them dashed recklessly in. The foremost
bent forward, and I saw his hand go out with a pistol
in it, but before he could fire the captain let bang at
him, and he fetched up short, and gave a queer sort
of writhing bow and fell back upon the threshold.
The others hung in the wind a moment, but presently
came floundering over the body, whereupon Captain
Sellinger raised a great shr^ut and set upon them with
his sword. I had a moment now to glance over my
shoulder, and perceived that Mr. Tym was holding
the others at bay, they, indeed, crowding together,
cursing and stamping, but not offering to advance.

MASTER ARDICK. BUCCANEER.

6l
I>av,„g exchanged the pi.tol for „v si, a , n f'e tf

L7;:;r-;nfati:^r;r"r'"'''''^'

upon looking wTf «ome in I ? ^t' ^"•'""eless,
the fellows the canZ "'" '"".^' ' ™^de out that
he ordinary sailors, by na.ne Tom Doll W M'
ton. and Jack U'alling. all men of fa r ^ ra!e C"

si.ouid ha've mishkTd or:!-^'.:",";!:""' '°: '

felloiv like Lovigne for in„,L t ' "'"^ "

i.ave shrunk from U h" pee ""m T"", ' ^'""'"'
[0^ the sailors, they se^mer o carr/han ™" ^'
kn.ves, the f.rst of which they must I Le*^"' '""
stolen from the arms chest JJT ^"^'""'biy

popped do„.„ .irh themr tS^shtf^or "" "^^

.ay;ttirr::tt^?he"f:ottftf"'''='''-^-"-

"e was pressing upo tl "m f ? T"'"'''"'' ^^"'
•ittle cramped'fo r l^.eeof''' ^'J '°"»' -"-d a
thrusts he „as speedin"' t1 ,f ,?' "'"" '" "'=

> ^oM dash, and so dis^^^i-tt":^:,"' J™^:

III

-11

li !;

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

■r^l

fetched his blow at me before the time, and I closed
with him ere he could get his hanger up again, and
dug my knife into his side. He collapsed like an
empty sack, uttering a direful groan, and at the same
moment the captain run Minton through the heart.
Walling, who was an active fellow, thereupon whirled
short, and with one flying bound cleared the door
and landed well out upon the deck.

" That gives us riddance of so many of the
rogues ! " puffed the captain, who was by this time
very short of breath. " Stay you here, Ardick, and
guard the companion while I go to Tym's assistance.
By St. Paul ! he has little need of it, such poltroons
as these fellows be I "

Mr. Tym had now fallen back i pace from his
first station, for some of his adversai ^d had obtained
pistols, and as we joined him they let go a sort of
scattering volley. Their range was limited on ac-
count of the v;alls of the stairs, and no harm was
done. There was a bit of silence, but not to men-
tion, and immediately the whole gang came bursting
up. Then it was that the supercargo acquitted him-
self rarely. Forward he darted, and before the first
fellow, who happened to be Pierre Lovigne, could
order his guard, the little lithe man stooped, whipped
in, and passed his sword a foot throu"-h +he burly
rascal's midriff. Back two paces th- . td, as the
next fellow pressed on, the sword fi'='w '•- nd, and
with a sidelong stroke shore away i: :> or three of
the rascal's fingers. It was all while I seemed to be
getting one long breath and letting it out again !

" Have at ye, scum ! " yelled the captain, fired
at this feat of arms, and he brandished his sword

• i -'I

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

and ran in upon the now crowded and confused
seamen.

Mr. Tyni saw the opportunity and sprang to his
side, and together they thrust and slashed so fiercely
and yet with such deadly skill, that three more of the
sailors were either killed or desperately wounded
and the others broke and poured headlong down the
steps.

The captain's blood was up, and he made to fol-
low, but Mr. Tym caught him by the sleeve, and in a
word or two showed him the danger of it, so that he
reluctantly gave over.

All this time that arch traitor, the mate, had kept
m the background, but now we heard his voice and I
conjectured that he was rating and perhaps trying to
rally h,s men. It seemed that he had been in the
rear of those who came ,p from 'tween-decks, but
euher from necessity or i.iclination had fallen back
when Mr. Tym and the captain made their final on-
slaught.

But do what he could the fellows he was talkm^
o had no heart for further ventures, and we heard
them break away .^rom him and retreat to the for
ward parts of the ship. He must have followed, for
It was immediately quiet 'tween-decks, and so that
pomt of our defence seemed to be safe enotoh a^
for the companion, it still stood open, just ^s they
had broken it n., but the misused door only banged
at wd with the motion of the ship, and no one ap-
peared to be near it or to guard it.

We now had a little breathing time, and the cap-

^l^r '' '" ' '^""' ^""^' ''' '- -^ down,
puffing hke a grampus, and wiping the sweat from

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANiCl-R.

Ifi

his face. Mr. Tym wap a gory eight, his sleeves
mete for a butclM,.r's, aiv! ii:s face and shir*- front be-
spattered. Likewise his wig wr.s gone, which gave
his white, cropped ;;ead a strange, pugnacious look,
but he seemed as active and unspent as ever. E.Koept
for a small cut on his neck and :\ bruise on his left
arm, he declared himself without scathe, and it
seemed that the captain had fared as well, as he had
only a light prick or two. As for rnyself, I was quite
unliurt.

We were now muided to investigc e the condition
of the fallen mutineers, and found all dead but one,
and he in extremity. He was one Ned Mac Snee, a
Scotchman, a quiet sort of fellow, but incontinently
carried away by the Morgan business. We placed
him in as easy a posture as we could, and examined
his wound, which we found to be a grievous stab
among the ribs. It was small, as though made by a
thick-bladed dagger (upon which I thought I per-
ceived the work of Mr. Tym's chisel-like fixture),
but was deep, and had already let out near all the
man's blood. He tried to speak, J think to express
his contrition for what he had done, but was unable
to fetch out any sound, and presently, with a little
struggle, he expired. I was sincerely sorry for his
death, which I had time to bestow some thought
upon, as I had not the others, and. ^ oreover, the
fellow was not by nature so very evil, :• had rather
been le- to the ill deed by thr -on -A of stronger
minds ^-^l the deceit of his own .i,.^.; nation. How-
ever, it was useless thinking upoi\ " now, and I cov-
ered his face and we fell back to ti.c a Httle counsel
together. Captain Sellinger was fov bringing the

MASTER ARDICK BUCCANEER. g,

affair to a head without further parley, and would
have us sally out and fall upon the fel ows and c
them down ,f they would not surrender. Hfr. Tym
opposed tins, saying we were still three against eiiT
not ,„cludn,g the wounded sailor and old Lesson
he latter would hardly desert to us as yet), ad"
he open deek we could not e..pect to wo k such

they had fallen on without order or ,,recision crowd
■ng together till they could not get 'the avail'o e t
« capons, and missing their shots because of thei
hastn,ess, but on deck they could spread out and eu
mpass us front and rear, and would be certain o
be .^ore circumspect. Ij„t for the surprise into
wh.ch they had been thrown by the sudden cal If
he mate, ,t was doubtful if we could have gained
he day as ,t was. " Better to wait then," urged Mr
rym,"and let the rascals call for a ruce which
dou , less they w^l, soon do, being now a lirh't crew

men., th "V""' '""="■"= ''""'"S "^"tical instru^
ments, those being all here in the cabin "

By these arguments Mr. Tym finally prevailed
and the idea of an assault was abandoned. I for
my part, heartily agreed with Mr. Tym for I 'harf
my bellyfu, of fighting for one night, a'nd, moreover
could see no wisdom in periling ou'r he;ds Ten a'
httle prudence might protect them. This plan of
waiting, then, being decided upon, we fell to work
mending the condition of the cabin, draggi";? '
eight bodies dow into the -tween-decks, and ptm ng
m p ace as well as we could the broken doors'w h
^e found means to hracc so that they would stand
Having completed these and some further bettr^

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

'§

i! <

i f Ti

if "" lis.

;i til

ments, we put out the light that we might not tempt
any more window shots, and stationed ourselves in
the centre of the room. Should there be no further
alarm, we meant after awhile to divide into watches
-two men in the first, who should continue till morn-
ing (now not very far off), and the other for four
hours after In this way we hoped to preserve our
strength, of which we had such pressing need

We pulled our chairs near together, that we mio-ht
hear one another without loud speaking, and dis-
coursed for some time on our case. In the course
of his talk I was made aware why it doubtless was
hat the mate had chosen the fourth day hence for
the carrying out of his plot. We should then be at
our nearest distance to the island of Hispaniola, and
.f he designed to join Morgan he must strike then
or thereafter be delayed, and perhaps run greater
r.sk. But for old Lewson's warning, it was alto-
gether hkely that his vile plot would have suc-
ceeded, as we must have been surprised and taken
at disadvantage, none of us dreaming of such base-
ness and treachery.

We then fell to talking more to the present pur-
pose, and Captain Sellinger remarked that at least
we were m command of nearly all the powder in the
ship, the magazine lying beneath, in the hold and
the double doors betwixt that and the general 'stor-
age securely locked. It would require the use of a
ram and violence, or considerable work of carpentry
to break through. ^

.u"Tf' I conceive they might employ one or the
o her, said Mr. Tym, ''and since we have the floor
of the storage room between us and the magazine,

MASTER ARniCK. DUCCANKKK.

the sound might be cut off T ,w i

raise yon trap, to be p de t s '"v ", '^' '"^

ter Ardick." ''- ' >"^' ''^^ 't. Mas-

ti.a ' «;"',': '„";,:, ";:"= ^"r'"'«'>-' •-"'" - -ved

operation. '»'" "''^" "'-' " -"^'" so.nd of

I thought. ^c^pcrate as his air was,

"It mi<rht sprvfj If u ^
ner of dead,," a , were, he""' '° "'"°^"'»" ^ "="-
but calm manner 'l .*?','"""■«"' """ " ^""er
flection of Ins ;;,o;,;,It " ' ''°"'"='' ""' "- "- --

ures'" l"J'ir" '" "' "'""' °f 'ess desperate me,s
"res, i. said, quite disturbed <. t: i '"eas-

take mud, encour-i Jn „ , "'^^' "'^ ^''""'d

and trust to the life f" "" "'"'' ''' ''"^^ "one,

-e but ei,ht,'a: ■: s^ Td r;,;' "'""• ^"^^

small skill with arms u- "°"' P"' «'

have a good knolTeU^e oVwL""'" "T' '"' ^"
have you to know tkfllnTj'~'°' ' ''"""^
broadsword or backsl d T ""'" "''"' <""'er
from an approved IZ^' """^ "^'^ instruction
are by no mLns "'hn^'reT;.-- "" "''' "'"^

air,'.'»d^';:!bnoi;::r"'-^rr''>-^'''-""^""

bout, so we cou d hav ttr.'Sr /"" """" ^ ''"<
of firearms. . et iltZ ZT '" '™"'- '""' »° "se

and see whc.lier a il betr"" '' "'' "' ^"^ " »''"^.

■' Faith •■ said ,1 '"^ "'" "°' open."

. ""■ said the capta n ciuickk- «;»

opening now. I see some sort o.!,'-""^ '?

through th- chinks in yon door." P"'''

■'1 -*^

'^yI:

lla

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER,

{' 1-4-

He nodded toward the companion, and we all
rose and stood silently rej^nrdin'- :<•. i had previous-
ly possessed myself of <• .e ot the men's han^^a-rs, and
this I softly drew, while Mr. Tym and the captain
held their swords in readiness.

The spark flickered before the cracks in the
v'Joor, and I was just thinking that it might be the
match of an old-fashioned gun, and had opened my
mouth to utter a warning, when the glimmer in-
creased to a little clear flame, and as it did so some
one knocked on the door.

" Who is there ? " called out Captain Sellinger '
"It's us, sir— Toby Hedge and Tom Flyng."
" What do you want, Hedge and Flyng ?"
"We are from the mate, sir, with a message,"
answered the same voice.

" What manner of light is that ? "
" Only a lanthorn, sir. It went out but now, and
we touched it off again."

"That they mi-ht re^ 've how badly the door
had fared," said Mr. Tym, in an undertone.

" What want you ? " went on Captain Sellingei.
" The ma'u,, he summons you to ourrender, sir.
If you refuse he will have all your lives."

Despite the terror of the ^ tuation, I could scarce
forbear smiling. The '" Uow'^ voice had the most
marvellous castdown n .b! mingled with an air of
respect for the captain somdhing that long habit
would not quite suffer him to escape froui— that
could be imagined. But Captain Sellinger only
looked uncommonly solemn and stern.

" The mate is a villain, and you likewise," he
made answer. "For myself, I bid the whole ras-

MASTER ARDirK. DUCCANKER.

69
cally pack of you delanrp » v , .

you, fnends.v „e c„„cU,Jed, i.^n^^J'^l^'

you_a message of another son ? •• '"''

"What manner of tprmc h^„ nr

offer?" spoke un ^f r ' ^^^^''^'' ^^''^'J^y

p.ise. ^ ^ ^^' I y'", somewhat to my sur-

"He will spare your live'; nn,i ■
treatment," answered the s2n J''' ''"" »°°"
'"" he spoke something eageJi;- ' '"'"^'' '" "'=
"Of what sort are the mate's phnn, ? ••
jhemanhungahttlei„thewM>d.
sa,d ILZ '°;:'r:. ■- "'" Of »".Hlh,gs, sir ,•■ he

"''-edo^:Vi r":::::;r''"^^>••■•
r"'Tt:rh^im^v"^■''-^■" '»'--'" ca^r^*^ :•

"H:i.rx:r.^':--';'-.™^v'saidr.

sternly. "Begone, and te tint of" ^'"''"'"'
lain to do as he ists W„ ? '°''S™ur„,g vii-

.-ho,dfnrthe';;ar;:^I^r'"^■"■"'-^''■^"■
~,;:: ^errrtle',:;^erlv:;e"^"^^■ ^-"^

their lanthorn died out «''"""" °'

mt.:;.:sv^c\rthr"^i"''"-'°-

sword. " Thev hive o W""""'' sheathing his
|>e.r ns nor ^^^^Z^ ^'^^^^ r^
thmg new will of necessity do nothing" """^

-nsi,t'i^w:T;^::;tai';:gr-;';,r"d^

tatch a little rest." ^ '"^ ^"^'' ^"<^

'il

:•... i

i:ii

MAST';R ARDICK, BUCCANl'KR.

mti

"With all my heart," said the supercar^'^o. " Let
us be about it." He yawnril prodij^iously, but
added, laughing : " I ana not so worn out as I seem,
'Twas but a lazy trick of youth."

I felt much encouragement and, in a sort, relief
at his manner, 'I'he strain till now had been great,
and my courage, in some wise, had begun to flag.
In truth, I was new at such business, and had not
learned that steadfastness and command over my
nerves that were to come with future experience.
We were now ready to arrange our watches, and it
only remained to decide who should first stand and
who turn in. We settled this after a little argument
by my being chosen for the watch below (using the
nautical phrase, though in strictness it scarcely ap-
plied), and I accordingly selected the mate's cabin,
and stretched myself in the bunk. I removed none
of my clothing, and merely laid my hanger on a
stool, and placed my pistol (I had picked up one
dropped by a mutineer, and so had returned the one
borrowed of Mr. Tym) on the table hard by. I had
no thought of being able to sleep, for 1 conceived
my nerves must be too tightly strained, but I hoped
to get a thorough rest, and bring myself to a state
of greater calmness. With this intent I placed my-
self in a comfortable posture and closed my eyes. I
was immediately sensible of the various noises of the
ship. She was travelling busily through the seas,
lifting and sinking as steadily as clockwork, her
fabric jarring as she struck into the hollows, and
anon creaking and falling to an in^^ant's silence as
she rose on the next water hill. After a time these
sounds soothed me, and my nerves lost their tensity,

MASTER ARDICK, IIUCCANKKR. .,

so that I really rcste.l, if I culd not sleep I re

:: de' r ";r' T "'«'"- "-" "°" '- ''- '■-

u'lit cic.iriy, I passed on to our nrosnrrf.: n«,i

. e «.o,e ,,.o^ a .,,„ u.™ ..,. .TrropTi :

"'tnerto. I saw why it was that I'radev - nd h, •
ce.ved. 1 hey had no powder, save what was in their

"d the '" '" "■"' '" ^°"""^-' "f 'he ma^a in
and he e was none bestowed outside. Of these
PMO U there were not above fifteen or twenty and
no. a I were loaded. I wouhl tell Mr. Tym ani the

aptam of this hopefal th,n« as soon aJmy"! h
"^s on. Ihey, poor men, must find it pretiv 111
out there blinking at the dark ir. r ^

svmnuiM, T *>'"'"«"'"K- Here 1 yawned, from

methir "■''.™'^'='"'>'-'""i" the least. Let
me thn>k. ..^ve, but think of what .> The sea had

«ere hu.hed and presently I found that I was not

mouth" -r^ '' '"' '"' '" "^ "'^ """e, at Port
parlour h 1 T' ""r"™ "°' '" "^^ =>ma^ement, the
parlour had shrunk to the size of old Gaffer Hi"-
g.nss push cart. No, not the push eart, but"?

on'rft^e:'ttT",t' ^"""^ '" """^ 'P- ''■ "^'^1 P"t
..the, V ,!?';•■ '° " ™'"'' "°' ''^ ">••"• W,at was

' Ave se ,t '', '™""''' "=' ^"^ I ""^' settle

-tl.tVot„„'d,r'""' ^'"^^- '-^^ - "'^"^- '"«'

I can not say how long I slept, but 1 know I was

awakened a. last by a sound of' erashinj Zd Z

.i n :r! f" 'I"""' '"^ ='"P ^'■"-' -'hout'n '
.on and a few fatnt day streaks eoming in at the

wmdow. I was on my feet straightway l,d »ugh
"P m) hanger and pistol. What had happened

' '1

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

1 ' i

could not conjecture, but it must be something of
import. I hearkened for an instant, but there was no
repetition of the sound, and without tarrying longer
I flung open the door and rushed out. My friends
were on their feet, sword in hand, and by the cocking
of their heads were in the act of listening.
" What is it ? " I cried. " What is doing ? "
"Nay, we know not for a certainty," replied Mr.
Tym coolly, " but by the noise it is the splintering
of boats."

"Devil's work of Pradey," cried the captain be-,
tween his teeth. '

"Is it not light enough to scan the deck.?" 1
asked. " I think there be cracks in the door suffi-
cient to see through."

"We tried but now, and could discover nothing,"
answered the supercargo. " Yet no harm to make 'a
fresh attempt."

With this I stepped to the door and applied my
eye to the chiefest crack. It proved not to extend
all its first width through, and with the mists that
still hung about the deck I could make out nothing.
" What do you see ? " asked the captain.
" Nothing as yet," I answered.
I waited a bit, and made a second attempt. This
time 1 thought I caught a glimpse of some shadowy
figures. Stimulated by the discovery, I boldly drew
away the fastening and peered out. I instantly dis-
covered two or three forms flitting about the bows,
rnd as I looked saw one mount the bulwark and
drop over. In a moment it came to me what was
doing. The mutineers were deserting the ship ; I
flung the door wide and made a significant gesture

klin

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

my companions. They were besid. ,
gf, and on beholding the deserted d

e me in a twi

unhesitatingly out. I

eck tumbled

- was at their heels nnrl «-«

con ,„„ed .0 .he connnes of t.,. nuarterde^Cwhe e

d ar t' tr ,'°f"' ^^°""''- '^"--indeed

sUf «as fetching round, the yards playing loose

and tl e canvas beginning to (lap and slat

, lo the helm," cried the captain to me the first

"m. He rushed to the rail himself, Mr. Tym fo"
lowmg, and I sprang for the poop. I heard a r •
behmd me just as I gained ,i,e foot of the ladder
and delayed for a moment and looked back llJ
c mpantons had mounted the bulwark and ue I
bendmg over, and the captain ,vas ^vagginc his c d
and pouun,g at something over the q u! ^r I was
at no loss to £ruess wliu if- ,... , ^^"■^^- ^ ""^^^

bit one side and i:o ^^ :^' .^p Z "l '"T' ""
.ai. It was, in fact, theUapi,! r.iLlr^^ "^^

them tl an t U f ,u f- "°' ''°P '° "'•■"'<= '""'■e of
,w!,H H T ' ""^ "'"" ™= "»»■ all «ays in the
"■nd and I hastened to fetch her upon her cour e
The breeze was light and no harm done a,dTpres

St'd' 'p T"''" '"""'- -" all'dTawLg as"
■t shou.d By th.s tmie the boat was again under mv

."n'rv'tot \r,! rj""'"- ••-' ' ■'■•"! oppor-

ity to scan her with

the t

en men— that is, th

more exactness. She held

all
mate, old Lewson, the dis-

1':

■V, 'f

ill

' M

•s

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEKR.

abled sailor, the cook, the cabin boy, and the five
other seamen. 1 should say here that the cabin boy
was scarce of reality a boy, since he was seventeen,
and as big as some of the men. The boat was fitted
with a sail, which two fellows forward were even
now setting, and by the pile of boxes and casks
amidships was well supplied with ail manner of
stores.

By this time it was pretty distinct in my mind
that Pradey had out-mantx?uvrcd us, and though I
hated the wily villain with all my heart, I could not
but esteem his exceeding subtilty and wit. As I
looked after the boat, resolving these mortifying
thoughts, the mate himself rose in the stern sheets,
and, to my great but fruitless anger, fetched us a
low bow. " Scoundrel, 1 would answer that with
}'-on swivel were I free to have my way," I said to my-
self ; "aye, though the ship were scuttled and every
moment beyond the worth of gold ! "

My burst passed harmless, for I dared not let off
the gun without authority, and it seemed that Captain
Sellinger and Mr. Tym (for what reason I could not
guess) were not moved by the insult as I was. Pres-
ently Pradey resumed his place and let his craft off
a little, and now, at not much more than pistol range
from us, I saw him coolly lay his course about a
point from ours.

I stood on tiptoes and peered with impatience
over the poop, hoping to come by a glimpse of my
companions, and resolve what they were doing, but
just at the moment I heard Mr. Tym say something,
and, following the words, his head rose above the
poop ladder.

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCAXKER.

II At the helm ! " he called out composedly
Aye, aye!" I answered, almost a-tremble with
anxiety. " How fares it ? "

ness' '^'<m"7 "f '" '' ''''''''^ ^^''^^ ^'- --<^ -"1-
ness. -Pradey has stove the boats and spiked at

;rix::""^^^"-- ^^--^^ -p---m ha::
the:s"::;::i';"^^^'^^^^^^^"^^'^^^'''- -^^

;' So the captain conceives. He whipped intc the
cabin, to note from the window whether the gi^ was
stove or no, and as he was returning descended for
a-vvash.'' '' ^^^^^'^°°"^- He reported the hold all

• Then we are indeed in the plight of your incon-
venient kittens ! " I cried, flinging myself with all
speed toward the poop ladder.

Ml\

CHAPTER Vn.

OF THE GREAT STRAIT WE FOUND OURSELVES ,X
AND HOW THAT SUBTLE ROGUE, THE MATE, '
SEEMED STILL TO TRIUMPH.

My feet were scarce on the deck when I heard
the captain cry out, and on turning saw him star-
ing with surprise and some signs of dismay toward
the forecastle hatch. I followed his glance," and lo '
from the open trap a thin spit of smoke was rising
Sellinger was jumping off the quarter-deck and run-
ning as hard as he could toward the .spot, almost be-
fore I had discovered what was the matter, and at
6

' 11

'.ill

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

9l'

the best gait I could muster (in spite of me, a heavy-
legged one, us though I had almost gone stale) I fol-
lowed. At the last I gained on him, and we reached
the hatch at nearly the same moment. The cover
was off, and the nole was darkening with the smoke,
which, however, was not yet very dense. I made a
straight leap of it through, and managed to plunge
to a bullseye and open it. The captain at once fol-
lowed and opened the scuttle opposite, upon which
the smoke drew out a little, and we could look
around. We found the business, in brief, to be this :
The rogues had deliberately opened the cook's fire
grate, thereby letting the burning coals out upon the
deck, and, in addition, had smeared the woodwork all
about with grease and tar. By a great piece of luck,
or rather by God's kindness— for I can never con-
sider the thing accidental— the ship, in her falling
off, had swung the chiefest part of these coals back
upon the hearth, and at the same time had flung an
old jerkin, previously hanging upon a hook, at full
bigness on the adjoining space of deck. In swing-
ing back many of the coals had landed upon this
garment, and, it being woollen, and the coals now
somewhat spent, only an ill-smelling and harmless
smoke had resulted. Upon the instant tnat we per-
ceived this, and before the breeze that came in at
tiie bullseye could set anything alight, we closed
both openings, and then, with the shovel and a dust-
pan, we gathered up the coals and put them back
into the grate. Tt only remained to clap on the fen-
der and secure it, and this dreadful peril was over.

Things here being thus made safe, the captain
conceived it wise to pay a visit to the hold, for,

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

although he had made sure that there was a great
and unusual body of water there, he had not deter-
mined the rate at which it was gaining, nor, beyond
question that it had made to a point where there
was no hope in striving with it. ^^'e advanced into
the ween-decks, accordingly, and from thence de-
scended to the hold, where we immediately perceived
ha the worst of our forebodn.gs were justified. I„
sooth It vvas a sure turn of work enough, for the bot-
om had been clean pierced. With our little force
to work the pumps, we could no more than partially
relieve the sh.p, and could effect nothing in curing
;^i^e trouble, which was, in a word, past ouf mendmg'
The captam wore a gloomy face enough, and I will
be bound mn.e matched it as we made tn end of ou
overhauhng. I had snatched up a candle as we were
about leavmg the cook's quarters, broken it in two
and lighted both ends, and these we had been de-
pending on in our search, but they fetched out a

laddeT'T,'"'""^"'^"^ ^"^"^^ ^°--"d the
ladder. 1 he poor little glimmers dimly set off the

h.glvp.led walls of freight and great braced timber!
wh.le in the space at our feet, as the ship swung, ap-
peared first a ghmpse of clear water, like a welf and
hen a strange little unnatural tide churning in up^. us
out of the obscurity. We did not pass another word

t^ll we were out of the gloomy hole, and I am sure
my sp..nts re. a ^rifie as we gained the light, dry
deck overhead, evil case as we were in. We retu ned
at once to Mr. Tym, and the captain, bravely and

siood xhe supercargo looked grave but not dis-
mayed, and said that since such was the situation he

i..

M
ill

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

presumed we must forthwith set about constructing
a raft.

"Aye," answered the captain briefly. "Follow
me and we will at it."

I sent a glance, as they were speaking, over the
quarter toward the mutineers' boat, and found it
now some little distance away (they having tlung
nearer the wind than we, for the longboat hud a
deep keel) and bound about southwest. I doubted
not that the villains were standing on their course,
Hispaniola lying in that direction, and I could not
avoid flinging a curse after them, as I saw them
speeding so fairly away, while we were left to this
miserable fate. But this thought was not for lon'r
for there was business in hand, and presently I was
following the captain and Mr. Tym forward, where,
as it seemed, the work of raft building was to begin.
We did not stop to try the well, knowing nearly
enough what it would show, but proceeded with all
haste to prepare our material and put it together,
being assured that we had no time to lose. Some
spare spars were first laid down as a frame for the
structure, other and lighter spars were placed across
and firmly lashed, and the spaces between were filled
in with such material — small planks and the like — as
were readily to be come at. Over all we placed the
two cabin doors and the main part of the boards that
had formed the bulkhead forward of the 'tween-
decks. Empty breakers, or water casks, were then
lashed along all sides to act as bulwarks, and the
structure was finished. We launched her without
much trouble, the sea running light and there be-
ing only a small wind, and when she was clear of

MASTER ARDIC-K, BUCCANEER. y^

the tackle we brought her under the quarter, and
with great haste-for now the ship went heavily
and showed how nearly she was waterlogged— we
fitted her out. We put aboard a light spar for a
mast, three or four small pieces of canvas, three
oars, and a coil of small line. When this sailing
equipment was all safely stowed we lowered aboard
some ship's bread, a little tin box of soft tack, a
ham, a cask of beef, ana a breaker of water. Some
other things, such as the ship's instruments, a small
supply of spirits, t..ree sui.s of oilskins, our hand
weapons, a little chest belonging to Mr. Tym and
the box containing the captain's papers and letters
we finally added, but I can not now remember the
full list.

"She is beginning to settle," said I, just as we
got the last things put over.

"Yes," answered Captain Sellinger; "but she
may not go down for a little time, for all that "

He seemed loath to quit his good ship, 'and I
could not wonder; but yet there was little room in
the busmess for sentiment. We finally cast off, and
I put over our oar and sculled off a matter of a hun-
dred yards or so, where we hung for a little space, at
the captani's desire, to watch the end of the poor
ci-aft. We had hardly any time to wait. Of a sud-
den she seemed to give a great jar, steadied, and
almost stood still, and then, with a fling upward of
her stern, plunged down, and in almost an instant
wallowed from sight. The broken waves swun-
in, ridmg m rings above her vanished masts, and
the space she had occupied was open sea like the
rest.

i m

MASTER ARDICK, UUCCANEER.

|.i Ui^

ft'

lit.:

Till the Iiuiustry had thus come to her end we
could not fetch our minds to other concerns, but now
the captain gave a sigh, whicii seemed to break the
spell, and we stirred in our places and presently
fell to talking. The longboat was still lifting and
falling on the swells to the south of us, her sail not
very well fdled on account of the light breeze, but
yet already a considerable distance off, and slowly
gaining. For ourselves, we had hoisted no canvas,
and were making no effort to come upon any course,
and were therefore merely slipping gently to leeward!
Mr. Tym sat upon a box, his long sea cloak about him
and his eyes squinting after the receding boat, and
the captain and I were aft, scjuat 'J\irk fashion,'and,
like the supercago, with glances fixed in a kind of
fascination upon the boat.

" Tray, where do you prick us down on the chart ?"
inquired Mr. Tym of the captain, after we had specu-
lated a little upon the weather and the present mild
wind.

" Coming at it as near as may be," answered Cap-
tain Sellinger, "we should be in thirty-two of north
latitude, and in longitude* may be sixty. That
would fetch us somewhat above a hundred miles east
of the Bermudas, and near to eight hundred miles
from our port."

" I had thought a bit farther north and east," re-
turned the supercargo, " but doubtless I am astray
as to your last observation. Then, sucli beincr the

* The methods of obtaining longitude were then so imperfect
that the captain's answer must be regarded as in effect no more

than a broad guess.

MASTER AKDICK, r.UCCANEF. R. gj

ngures, what say you wc should deduce from tiiem-
in other words, how shall we lay our course?"

This question interested me so much that I took
my eyes from the longboat while the captain replied

"Well," he said, with a bitter look into the south
had we yonder boat I could fetch you a straight
answer but what navigator shall lay you the course
of a raft? It wll be as the wind says. As it holds
now we might strive to make the Bermudas; but by
the looks of the sky and the smell of the air there
should presently be a change, and it is odds that it
letches then from the north."

"By which it seems," said the supercargo rather
gravely, "that we are in a worse case than I had
conceived, and can do little save wait and trust in
God. I had thought," he added more in his usual
manner, "that this was the trade wind, which we
count to be in a manner steadfast."

"Aye, and so it is," answered the captain, "only
not at present confirmed and with a staying weight in
>t. But since it is better to do something than nothing
and no harm can come by it, we will set the saiL
Master A uick, pluck the mast from among the
rafifle yonder, fetch that large piece of canvas, and
let us see what this craft will do under cloths."

It came like a bit of cheer to have this rational
thing to do, after such a solemn go-round, and I
made haste to overhaul the spar and canvas and
fetch them aft. Here was the clearest space, and I
spread the articles out, and the c:^ptain and 1 fell to
work In a very little time we ha., the affair readv,
and I carried it forward and pit it in place. The

''il

MASTER ARDICK. nUCCANEER.

sa.l was cut after the shoulder-of-mutton fashion-
hat IS, tnangular-and was kept out by a stick at
the bottom, serving as a boom. It was controlled
by a bit of small line, for a sheet, and this could also
be used to furl the sail with. We drove down two
Stout sticks aft, for thole pins, and into this row-
lock the captain thrust an oar, and we presently
brought the clumsy craft before the wind. We were
now heading in a sort for the Bermudas, yet quite a
|ttle too far north (the wind being at this precise
time somewhat east of southeast), and so, with a
considerable poppling of water at the bows and a
belly.nr: -ut of the sail, but only a moderate real
progre<;s, we stood away.

By !:h\, time some showing of what the captain
had propaesied as to a change of weather begL to

noT tn-/'' '"" 7"' "°^' ^''''y '^'^'^' but it did
not .tnke down with ,ts usual heat, a thin, whitish

ahnost imperceptible haze floating betw;en td

presently I noticed that the northen. sealie ;.as

sharply cut as it had been. The air, too had a
changed feeling-a little damper, as I mi du s'ay ll
w. mo.e of the ocean smel/in'it. I no^; suS
hat we were to catch a bit of a blow, though not a
hurricane, and that the wind would presenriy sh ft
o te north. What sort of business we could'make
of It Heaven only knew, and it was with no little

studying d directed a more general look around

Ihe longboat was still travelling southwest, and no

other sail was to be seen. There was the same easy

sea, not so deeply blue a. before the thin veil cami

MASTER ARDICK, nucCANKKR. 5

°nra,',dTr '"" 'f "« '''""'y ' "•=»'. •••■Hi suing.

The 1 H T ": """"-'""« -a.er sand valley^

ine raft cl.mbcti up and slid dou ,|„. f., ,■

that such a contriva ,ce must d." , "™

over us now and .,a.„, ,„:;;'!.„,; r r/
vvay, and in this sorL wc contin.u.i ( ,

hours IJy that time we had a„ thou^lu ts o
get ,uto our odskins, Mr. Ty,„ hkcwife di card „°
h- w,g, and ,n lieu of it drawing on a la.le k t f
I'l-ea nightcap, and when at last it was ouitea l!,'
past noon I got out and served dM,ner.O? course
had to be eaten cold, but we added a little b™dv
and .t rehshed well, „„d after this notlnng ,a , " 'j
t. I nearly n.ght. Meanwhile we had qui'e su k le
vha eboat, as her bit of sail blended a^ last wi ,, he
fa.nt n.ngs of white i„ the growing sou.herrc e ts

are Tea"!::;^" r""- '"^ "''' "="->• °f " " - '
-co::;:LTn:ii;-:T's^x-Tf-"-

quarter stand athwarf hu^h^drof ^„ T' ^ '^r
ispaniola. A. for such stiff winds as he mi-rht ex-

What was fnhJ . "" north, giving token of

wnat was to be expected, and the sea was coming up

■ill

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IMAGE EVALUATION
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Photographic

Sciences
Corporation

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(7t6) 872-4503

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MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

.1 bit, but as yet had made no heads of dangerous
size. The sun was setting red, but with a topping
of gray clouds, and the air was growing chilly,
though it could not yet be called cold. I swept the
sea line once more for a sail, but without success,
whereupon, feeling weary and a bit discouraged,, I
flung myself down and drew a piece of canvas over
me. I heard Mr. Tym stir about a little— I say heard,
for I had covered my head for the moment— and pres-
ently knew that he had gone aft to relieve the cap-
tain at the helm. I had a strange sort of quiet,
secure feeling come over me, then, in a way as
though I had no further care of this business and
scarce needed to feel fear, and in a moment I was
lapsing from that into a drowse. I was called back
to myself by a loud tone of talking, and on throwing
back the canvas found Mr. Tym and the captain
on their feet and looking with a great seeming
of eagerness toward some point in the western
seaboard. I flung the canvas wholly from me and
sprang up.

CHATTER VIII.

OF THE MOCKERY OF THE SHIP, AND THE RESCUER
THAT FINALLY CAME.

The sea had darkened even in the few moments I
had been under the canvas, and onl/ a pale, lemon-
coloured streak in the west remained of the sunset.
The raft canted and made its downward slide just
as I got the steadiness of my legs, and I could only
whisk my eye, so to speak, over the shoulder of the

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEFR.

crest, before wc had dropped into the duskiness of
the hollow. But in that glimpse I saw what it was
my companions had discovered. Against the yellow
western band stood out a black dot, which could
only be a jail !

My hear, gave a great jump, and I could have
shouted, but in the end I contented myself with say-
ing two or three times profoundly, " Thank God ! "
and with that stood quietly on my straddled legs,
waiting for the ne.xt nse of the raft. My com-
panions had given over their talking, and seemed to
be holding themselves in patience, as I was, only
that, I think, Mr. Tym spoke to me as I stood about
for my balance, and so drew his notice. The raft
swung ro the top of the crest, and as it tipped for
the next s'ide we all looked eagerly for the black
dot. There it was, as distinct as ever, and beyond
any manner of doubt the na row-wise view of a ship !
We cried out in a kind of cheer, and 1 then fell to
asking with eagerness how long she had been in
sight.

'•I raised her but a moment since," answered the
captain. "She showed first as you see her, and
must therefore be bows-on. But, pray you, pass me
my glass, and I will see what further can be made
of her."

I hastened to fetch his glass from his box of in-
struments, and when the next lift of the raft was he
biought It to bear.

Mr. Tym and I hung on his words, for it was an
anxious moment, and presently felt a vast relief
when he broke out :

" Yes, a large ship, and bows-on. She can scarce

H
"41

«i

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

be above four or five miles away, and so she does
not change her course should fetch up to us within
an hour ! "

I could not restrain a step or two of a sailor's
shuffle at this, so great was my delight, and I>Ir.
Tym smiled.

" Let us have down the sail," pursued the captain,
" for now it does us no good, and puts us to the
labour of steering,"

I perceived with this that the wind had indeed
hauled much to the north, and was therefore driving
us continually to leeward. I jumped to the sail and
shut it up to the mast and whipped the sheet round
it. By this time quite sharp airs were blowing, and
the heads of the seas had come up in a sort to fling
the spray in small showers over us. We did not
much heed this, and drew together in the m' 'He of
the raft, and while we kept an eye out foi' -^hip,
continued our discourse.

"I mistrust she is a Spaniard," said the captain.
"She may well come from the Florida coast."

" I wish you might be wrong," said I, " for the
Spanish have no love for us at this time. There has
been too much doing by the buccaneers."

" Yet we could speak them fair," said Mr. Tym,
"and if pushed to it compound with them in some
small manner of ransom. I could raise a sum, given
a little time."

" Marry," said I, quite with a light heart, for the

prospect of escape had flow^n like wine into my head,

"lam for them, ransom or no ransom. Better a

living slave than a dead sailor."

We said no more for the tii

and busied o

ur-

MASTKR ARDICK, nUCCAXEEK.

■ I!

selves in watching the ship, which seemed to grow
apace, though night had so far fallen that we could
make out nothing but the bare outline of her fore-
topsail and the upper part of her forecourse. We
began to grow a bit uneasy, and in some haste I
lighted a lanthorn and mastheaded it, and we pre-
pared our firearms. The yellow in the west had now
quite faded out, leaving a cold gray, and the duski-
ness on the sea had begun to fill the hollows black
and barely disclosed the white in the fling of the
highest crests. Withal, the cloudiness in the north
had extended and ums closing us round, and there
began to be a little spite in the increasing wind.

We grew more and more uneasy, especially as the
ship showed no answering light, and presently the
captain fired off his pistols. We listened with all
our ears, but there was no reply, and then Mr. Tym
and I took our weapons, and the three of us let go a
volley. It was the same. The noise was borne off
on the wind, and when fully five minutes had passed
we could still detect nothing but the slapping of the
raft on the seas and the shower and wash of the
falling crests. The thing was growing serious. Our
lightheartedness had now quite left us, and we looked
at one another with dubious glances. It was incon-
ceivable that the ship was not by this time up with
us, and it stood probable that every moment was
taking her farther from us. We fired more pistols,
and even fell to shouting, but all to no avail. Noth-
ing that we could do served to pierce that dreadful
murkiness, and bring either sight or sound out of it.

secoi

—I did half fancy I heard a faint, far-off hail b

■olley
ut on

• i|

[I 'I

Si.

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

listening more intently was persuaded it was only a
sharper note of the wind. We rounded down in de-
spairing postures, in no heart to talk, and in this
wretched state continued for full ten minutes. By
this time every high wave was breaking over the raft,
and it was only by the hold we had on the lashings
that we were not, on two or three occasions, washed
overboard. In a kind of sullen, half-despairing
fashion I secured myself where I was, employing a
turn or two of small line to do so, and noted that my
companions did the same.

Above an hour went by. It was now pitch dark,
and a swinging, heavy sea. Again and again great
crests overto' ' us and toppled down upon us, al-
most depriving us of sense and breath, and with a
volume to have fairly suffocated us had we not been
in the middle of the raft, with the space beyond to
offer a barrier. We were soon wet over the greater
part of our bodies, notwithstanding the oilskins, and,
had the water been cold, as fortunately, being in the
tropics, it was not, we must speedily have chilled,
and so have fallen ready victims to the beating of
the water and to exhaustion. At the end of the hour
Mr. Tym made a little movement, and, upon the raft
climbing to the height of a sea, he called out that he
was for having a nibble of hard-tack and a sup of
brandy. Whereupon— such was the cheer that this
brave soul put into the captain and nie — we were for
a little refreshment, too, and straightway had it, not-
withstanding the constant drenchings and the wild
climbing and pitching of the- raft. After that we
settled to our former postures, and I think remained
so for two or three hours. About this time the sky

MASTER ARDICK, HUCCANEKR.

became a bit lighter, and, though the wind held in
the same quarter, wc thought it did not increase in
weight. This was at least not unfavourable, and we
heartened a bit and contrived to get another snatch
at the hard-tack and brandy. I was thirsty, for my
part, and would have been glad to exchange the pull
at the brandy flask for a few swallows of water, but
the two breakers were secured at the extremes of the
raft, and it was too dangerous to cast off my lash-
ings and move, so I forbore. One thing I did do,
and that my companions imitated me in, which was
to lay hold on some pieces of canvas that were for-
tunately within safe reach and convert them into
cloaks or coverings. We could muffle ourselves in
these and in a great degree escape the unpleasant
fuss of gasping and coughing that every big wave
was like to cause. After perhaps two hours more
the clouds overhead parted and a few stars shone
out. This was not a little cheering, for now it was
not absolutely dark (our lanthorn had long since
gone out, being so whacked and shaken about that
the poor candle could not abide it), and there was
a prospect that the wind had reached its height.
Muffled in my patch of canvas, I crouched on the
drenched planks, weary, making a mushing ado of
wet at every movement, and with the confusion of
a great crash of water over me at intervals, and yet
with some little upspringing of hope and courage.
At times I conceive I must have drowsed, for I know
the din and yerking to and fro seemed to abate, and
once I found myself gasping and spitting out water,
as though I had been caught off my guard and a
heavy shower had found its way inside my cowl. I

MASTER ARllICK, nUCCAXEKR.

ill

will not dwell longer on the events of that night.
The other weary hours dragged by at last. By de-
grees we could dimly see a little space around, then
some light clouds of vapour broke up and curled
away, and low down on one horizon there was a yel-
low, brightening band. It reddened and climbed high-
er, and presently, with a little glorious tremble, a bit
of the sun himself broke above the water boundary.
Never was he more welcome. The sea still ran high,
but the sky was clearing, and, as the wind held in its
old quarter, there .was no cross-swell, and in all these
things was encouragement. We stirred a bit and
began to talk, and, after a little, watching carefully
my time, I contrived to crawl to one of the water
breakers, and refreshed us all with a drink. From
this we took still more liberties, and at last managed
to reach the ham (well pickled it was by this time as
well as smoked, but we paid no heed to that), and
likewise some more of the hard-tack. This was in a
water-tight tin box, and had come to no harm, and
with that and the meat, washed down with a liberal
allowance of wine, we made a rare, delightful break-
fast. I scarce need to say that we had not mean-
while neglected to look for a sail, but we could raise
none, nor did we see so much as a bird, whether
afloat or flying, a somewhat odd and lonesome thing
as we counted it. I will not linger on the other
events of that day. Nothing of note happened, and
the raft went on lurching and plunging before the
steady north wind. Night came at last, and with it
a starred sky, and we lashed ourselves in our old
places, and between nodding and waking got in a
weary fashion through. The next day the wind had

MASTER AKniCK. EUCCANKKR

lost a little weight, though the seas had not d
ished

imin-

ished, and at times we got short snatches of sleep.
We constantly swept the horizon for a sail, but raised
none, and in this weary sort the day finally passed.
On the following morning the wind had abated still
more, and the seas were not so high, but yet the
wretched raft pitched and smashed down in a fashion
that gave us little ease or security. The next day
it was almost the same, though I think it was on
that morning that the wind hauled a few points west
and the air became warmer. We continued to lie
curled up in the middle of the raft, a good similitude
being of so many seals on a cake of ice, and thus
managed to abide through the fourth night. The
fifth morning the wind had fallen yet a little more,
and at last the sea was somewhat calmer, and we
ventured to cast off our lashings and stir around.
With the canvas coverings thrown aside and our
countenances fully disclosed, we showed what a
change this wretched business had wrought. Mr.
Tym had quite lost his bloom, his face was pale and
his eyes sunken, and, witr the white hair peeping
from beneath his skullcap and the hoar stubble on
his chaps, he looked to have put ten years to his age.
The captain's countenance was drawn and his eyes
bloodshot, and particles of spray had settled on the
tanned breadth of his face till it had the seeming of
a piece of meat left out of pickle. As for me, I know
not to what degree I was changed, but I have no
reason to doubt to an equal harshness with my com-
panions. That day we enjoyed a little more ease
than we had before, and when night came had the
satisfaction of finding the wind falling, which in the

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MASTER ARnrCK, BUCCANKER.

sequel it did till it was almost calm. The next morn-
ing the last ripple was gone and the raft was merely
rising and falling on the swell. We lay in this case
till afternoon, the heat becoming considerable, but
we not minding it because of the chilled, wet condi-
tion we had been in, and which we had not fully re-
covered from, and so continued till about two of the
clock, when we got a breath of the ordinary trade
wind. This was from the northeast, veering to east,
and before it the raft once more got under headway.
"This should .blow some ship down to us," said
Captain Sellinger, rousing and reaching for his glass.
" Here, Ardick," he went on, passing the instrument
to me, "your eyes are good. Sweep me yon sea-
board."

I pulled out the tubes, and without much spirit—
for I had done the same thing fruitlessly over and
over again— put the glass to my eye. The trade-
wind clouds were blowing up in that quarter, and
hung light and tailing down nearly to the sea line,
and at first I brought nothing else into the field. I
changed the focus a trifle, and leisurely tried again.
Behold, I thought I had a kind of white speck ! It
was a mere sort of wink, as it were ; perhaps only the
flash of a gull's wing or the flying up of a crest, and
I would not speak of it, nor allow myself to think
seriously of it without more evidence. I looked
away for an instant, to rest my eyes, and tried again.
It was still there, only now firmer and clearer. I
waited a moment longer, till there could be no man-
ner of doubt, and then said, as steadily as I could,
*' I raise a sail."

It was marvellous to see with what quickness, as

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

though live coals had been thrust under them, my
companions started up. The captain caught the
glass and clapped it to his eye, and had scarce done
so before he shouted, as though from the masthead :

" Sail ho ! "

A little colour came into Mr. Tym's cheeks, and
he in turn took the glass. His eyes were fairly
good, and he had no difficulty in resolving the speck.

"Aye," he said, "it is a sail, and naught else."
He threw back his head, and drew a long breath of
relief. " How near is she, captain, to fetch a guess ? "

" I think not above four or five miles," answered
the captain. " We could scarce raise anything be-
yond that from this low elevation."

We continued to use the glass by turns and to
discuss the thing, till at last we had raised the ship
to her hull, She was standing fairly toward us, all
her sails, including topgallant sails, spread, and
looked to be a large, light-floating craft. As yet we
could make out no ensign or other thing to deter-
mine her nationality.

" She has bow ports," said the captain, who had
the glass, " though they are scarce visible, as she is
painted. Aye, and passing high bows," he went on.
" I incline to think she is either Spanish or Portu-
guese. Nay, but we must lose no more time, let her
be what she may. Take a piece of this canvas,
Master Ardick, and display it from the mast."
I speedily had a distress flag flying.
" She sees us ! " cried Mr. Tym, who had the
glass. " There is a line of heads along the forward
bulwarks," he went on, " and a fellow with a telescope
is climbing: the fore-ricfcrinff."

■•n

^r ASTKR ARDICK, IIUCCANIMIK

I I

e was right. 'I'Ikm-c was ilcarly excitement

the ship, and presently we could ni
with the telescojic taking sight at u

:ike out the man

She

le came along fast, her yards all but square, and
studding-sails hung out aloft, llcr tall bows sent
up a great boiling of white, which sh.ared smoothly
right and left as she came nearer, though with many
I)lumes of spray, and in this gallant style she stormed
down till, at last, being but a gunshot off, she clewed
lip some sail, put down her helm, and, with her long
broadside swung around, came drifting down upon
us. x\ow we could see that she was a l)lg ship, in-
deed, not less than five hundred tons. iMoreover,'she
was heavily armed, and no fewer than twenty ports
showed in her sides, and her high foredeck and still
higher poop were bristling with sakers and swivels.

A man in dark attire, with a trumpet in his hand,
chmbed a few feet uj) the main rigging.

" Now we shall know what nation she is," said
Captain Sellinger; -but from that steeple of a poop
and the poor awkward ordering of those yards she
should be either Spanish or Portuguese."

So, indeed, it seemed to prove. The man pres-
ently hailed, and the speech was Spanish.
" Raft ahoy ! "

"•Board the ship!" bellowed back the captain.
" Nay, but I can go no further," he said, with a laugh.
"I have scarce any Spanish. Do you finish the
business."

He addressed me, and I sprang up and stood in
his room. The ship had rapidly drifted down and
was already within a hundred or a hundred and fifty
yards. The man in the rigging shouted: "If you

MASTKK ARMCK, ltUCCAM:i:K.

would board us, take to y(nir oars. 15c speedy, or
you will fall short."

I saw that this was tlie case, and likewise feared
that he niiyht be of that cruel or indilferent sort that
would leave us in the lurch if we failed. Wherefore
I let f.ul the talk with him and hurriedly told the
others how the matter stood. The ship was not dead
to windward, but in the course she was now travelling
stood to pass us about forty or fifty yards to the
south, and it was to cover this gap that we must row.
We fell to it, though it was but a poor piece of work,
the raft being so clumsy, and at last drew pretty
nigh the ship's bow. It was rising and falling at
great heiglits above us, but a seaman appeared on
the boltsprit, and at the right moment cast us a line.
I caught it and made it fast, and we quir kly wari)ed
as near as we dared to the lofty side. The bulwark
above us was now black with heads, and presently
one popped above the rest, and a dark fellow in a
kind of Dutch rig raised himself on the rail, and from
there directed us how to proceed. The fore chains
were too nearly under the towermg house of a fore-
deck to serve our turn, and the captain seemed too
indifferent to put over a ladder, wherefore we were
presently drawn along till we were near amidships,
where, indeed, we might make shift to scramble up.
This we did, first tying on our backs such articles of
value as we cared to preserve, and when we were
over the side the raft was cast adrift. We then
put down our burdens, and with no little interest and
anxiety fetched a look about us.

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96 MASTKR ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

CHAPTER IX.

OF OUR RECEPTION ON THE SPANISH SHIP.

I MAY have been a bit confused for a moment, for
I find I got nothing that sticks in my memory in that
first glance. But presently I bring back a crowded
deck, most of the faces being dark, and some per-
sons in handsome attire standing a little way from
the companion, and for general surroundings a short,
flush waist of the ship, poop and foredeck like little
castles, and overhead a great but not overneat and
sh.pmanhke spread of spars and sails. Immediately
a tall dark man in rough brown clothes, a wide
flapping hat and Flemish boots pushed out of the
press, and I recognised the person who had held the
trumpet. He fastened his look first upon Mr. Tym
esteeming him, either from a frill or two and some
velvet that showed in the openings of his oilskins,
or from his bearing, the person of most consequence
among us, and with a brusque air fell to addressing
him. ^

The supercargo, as I was aware, had no Spanish,
but was too polite to break in, and so suffered the
captain to go on to the close, after which he bowed
in return and fetched a meaning nod at me.

" If you please, Senor Captain," said I, stepping
to the front and touching my hat, " this gentleman
is not acquainted with Spanish, but I know it in an
imperfect way, and will, with your permission, act as
his interpreter. We three are escaped from the Eng-
hsh ship Industry, which was scuttled and sunk."-l

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

From here I went on and gave him the other chief
outhnes of our story. He Hstened without com-
ment, and when I had finished made a sign to one of
his officers and ordered the ship put upon her course.
He then turned back to us, and from his cold and
rather stern expression I was not expecting a very
agreeable or hospitable answer, when there was some
stir in the crowd, and those in front stepping aside a
tall and stately looking genth ^ \n came deliberately
forward. He was, as one would guess, about five-
and-fifty years of age, and was comely in the face,
but thin, though sturdy and up-ight in figure. His
dress was uncommonly rich, and was the most showy
and striking I had seen up to that time, meriting
some description. The hat was a Flanders beaver,
looped up at one side and set off with feathers, the
cioak was of costly black velvet, with gold buttons,
and the coat and smalls were of wine-coloured silk,
curiously stitched and frogged. He wore Spanish
point lace at his sleeves and throat, and his rapier
was hung from a rare embroidered shoulder belt, the
like of which one would have to travel far to find.
The hilt of this rapier was well-niafli covered with
gold and jewels, and the scabbard %as of silver, set
off with all manner of chasing and filigree. His wig
was somewhat too black for his light skin and white
beard, but was a beautifully ordered thing of itself,
the curls being as big as a thick walking stick. To
wind up, he was shod with yellow Cordovan boots,
and carried in his hand a pair of long Spanish gaunt-
lets, the wrists set off with fine needlework.

I bowed low, somewhat impressed by his elegance,
and waited with an air of deference for him to speak.

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MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

doubted not he was some rich grandee, and very

.kely the owner of the ship and cargo. He looiced

at me coldly, yet with some curiosity, and after a

brief glance at .::y companion, said in choice Spanish •

U ho are you, senor, and how did you come

upon the raft ? "

I repeated what I had told the captain, though
with some enlargement. As I proceeded I saw his
brow darken,, especially at the mention that wc were

"I grieve, senor, to Hnd that you and your friends
belong to that nation of heretics and robbers " he
sa.d m a severe voice. "Pray, upon what business

wat'er^" • """"^ '''"' ''"' '^'^ ^°'"^ ^" '^''^

I perceived the dangerous thing that was in his
mmd,and suffered no delay in answering. At this
pomt I may say, without much fear of censure, that
I very heartily wished Morgan and all his bucca-
neermg set to the devil.

"Why, your lordship,- I replied (I clapped this
Utle to him at a venture), "our ship was a peaceful
merchantman, and her business was to convey a
cargo of English cloths and small wares to Hava'na!
and fetch sugar, spices, and the like thither Our
captai , can give you more of this matter "

"And where, think you, went your escaping
mutineers ? " he inquired, without pause ^ ^

Ih.s disconcerted me a bit, but I felt it best to
out with the truth.

"To join that scoundrel Morgan, if our guess is
not greatly at fault," I let go boldly.
He smiled in a grim fashion.

i III

MASTKR ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

"Aye, sefior, such was my thought of the matter
They have gone to join that child of perdition
doubtless, and some good Spanish blood may be'
shed m consequence. What think you," he went on
lookmg at me fixedly, "shall I not be doing my
sovereign and the Church a service if I endeavour
to discharge a small measure of this debt ? "

I began to think that we had fallen out of the
frying-pan into the fire, for I was at no loss to guess
what he meant. Nevertheless I was resolved not to
quail, and, indeed, it was possible he might be only
trying me. I collected myself, therefore, and an-
swered him.

"A debt, your lordship, should be paid by the
debtor, and not by him who has no part in it. The
Spanish blood you speak of was not shed by me or
by my comrades. We abhor piracy and every such
lawless doing."

The hidalgo nodded, but I could not see that I
had produced any measurable impression on him.
It was an anxious moment, and I discerned that
my companions had detected something amiss and
come closer, though I could not then give heed
to them.

" Well, senor," he replied at last, '' there is reason
in what you say, and I am not disposed to deal with
you harshly. Nevertheless '-here his look hard-
ened again, and my spirits sank-" I can not forget
that you are Englishmen. If you yourselves have
done my countrymen no harm, neither had the Span-
lards of Puerto Velo and Maracaibo done the Eng-
lish harm. Your lives are safe, but you have for-
feited your liberty, and on our arrival at Panama

I I

t^ ,<.^1

ill ■

: "

lOO

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

will be sold as slaves. You may go forward for the
present and serve with the crew."

He nodded to signify that he had concluded, and,
with the same stately precision as at first, passed in
among the crowd and made his way out of sight.

I was in a measure dumfounded, and stood
where he had left me, trying to grasp the full pur-
port of what had befallen. Cast into slavery, and
by the people of a Christian nation ! What worse
would it have been had we fallen among the heathen
Algerines? I was aroused from this overwhelmed
state by the voice of Mr. Tym, and, turning about,
acquainted both him and the captain with what had
passed.

"Slaves to the dons, is it?" said Sellinger, when
I had finished. "A middling hard port to steer into,
after all that has befallen us! The greasy lob-
scourers ! I hope we shall manage to put a trick or
two upon them before we are done. To think of
such tallow-heads making slaves of freeborn Eng-
lishmen ! "

Mr. Tym's reply was of quite another sort.

"It is a vile outrage, but we must appear to
submit. By watching and having the seeming of
resignation we may come by a chance of escape.
But the thing that mislikes me the most," he broke
off with a laugh, " is this playing at sailor. I could
manage in some sort on the deck, and even go aloft
so I had a safe hold, but the furling and things of
that kind I fear will undo me. I shall count myself
I'-cky if I do not come neck and heels to the planks."
"Nay," said I ind'ig-nantly, for now I thought
what all this hardship and ignominy must mean to

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

lOI

him, "I can not think they will carry the matter to
such extremes. Tb-^ don may not have perceived
your age and station in life. I will see him and rea-
son with him, and even if you must take up your
quarters in the forecastle "

But he interrupted me.

"Do not so. Let the matter stand. It will be
time to remonstrate when there is occasion. As for
living in the forecastle, I would not have it other-
wise. We must remain together, both for compan-
ionship and to be ready for emergency. The fare
and the other matters will not vex me. Remember,
I have been a soldier."

I was forced to yield to these arguments, and,
indeed, I had little hope of effecting anything with
the don, and so that matter was concluded. We
had time for only a few words further, for soon one
of the officers — the boatswain, as I presently discov-
ered — came along and ordered us to pick up our
things and follow him to the forecastle. This we
accordingly did, I carrying the supercargo's box, to
show him that much respect, though he tried to dis-
suade me. On the way I took some thought of the
people about me, not having till now observed them
with particularity, and found that most, save a few
in armour, who seemed to be professional soldiers,
belonged to the ship's company, the passengers not
numbering above a score. Of these the greater part
were dressed in a rather rich sort, though not com-
parable to the don, and about one fourth were
females. All the world knows how jealous a Span-
iard is, and how he seeks to conceal the charms of his
womankind, so that I scarce need to say that these

10- MASTER ARDICK, liUCCAXEER.

ladies were bewrapped from nose to ankles, and that
>ttle except their eyes showed above the folds of
the.r mantillas. One or two were voung-that" the
k^impses of their white, smooth foreheads and erect
graceful figures disclosed-and the rest I took to be
old donas or duennas. As for the men, most were
under m.dd e age, and all but one were well enough
lookmg. Th.s exception was a small, wizened per-
son, scantily bearded and melancholy, or at least
abstracted in manner, and made to look older than
he doubtless was by a great pair of barnacles

I could not see that we excited any compassion
among these people, who, indeed, cast upon us cold
or careless glances, and in some despondency and
•"d.gnat.on I left them behind and pushed on amon^
the crew. Plere there was a bustle, and in the thru.t^
>ng forward of faces I espied some unkindiv ones
but in the main I thought we were not harshlv h)oked
upon. One fellow laughed, and the flash of his white
teeth was a relief, and another hailed us jocosely as
fn-afos, but in the end we made by them without
abuse.

I got below, as I have said, and in great weari-
ness put down Mr. Tym's box and fetched a criance
around. Hy degrees, as I became accustomed to the
duskmess, I made out the features of the place

MASTER ARDICK, 15UCCAx\EER. 103

CHAPTER X.

OF OUR NEW QUARTERS AND THE PEOPLE OF THE

SHIP.

It was low for the bigness of the ship, and was
furnished after a very poor and rough sort. The
bunks and hammocks were old and fit to drop apart,
none of the timbers or work of the ship were smoothed
except by the friction of use, and a mere dilapidated
fence served as a bulkhead to part off the cook's
quarters. Luckily the smells of the place, ill as they
were — for all was disordered and dirty — were not of
the worst, for at this time both a windward and a
leeward port stood partly open, and the passage of
the small breeze through served to sweep out the
chiefest of the odours.

It was at best a doleful contrast to my old berth
on the Industry, but still safer if not sweeter than
the raft, and, though my senses were offended, I
quickly fetched about to make the best of it.

"A stanch, roomy berth, senor," I said cheer-
fully to the boatswain, "Where in it shall we find
our quarters? "

I think the fellow expected to find us making nice
of the place, and was prepared to answer with somie
roughness, for at this he fetched me a sort of sur-
prised glance.

"Why, as to that, it matters little," he finally re-
plied. " Aft, there, if you desire. You can go and
see."

" Gracias, sefior,'" I rejoined politely. " We will

■ 'M

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104

MASTER ARDICK. BUCCANEER.

take advantage of your kindi

ess. Friends, let us

pick out a place to sling our hammock

I spoke this concluding sentence in English, not
changing my tone as 1 addressed my companions,
and by my bearing seeking to convince the boat-
swain that I really felt as satisfied as I appeared.

We passed through the opening in the crazy bulk-
head, and found ourselves in a confined 'tween-decks,
the after part being cut off by a row of boxes and
barrels. There was a port on each side, furnishing
light and air, and on the larboard hand— that is, on
the starboard side of the ship— were the cook's quar-
ters. On the starboard hand v,as a small unused
space, and a little amidships from this appeared a
narrow opening in the cargo. This I took to be a
passage leading to the region of the cabins.

We did not come by a good knowledge of the
place instantly, for it was somewhat dimly lighted,
the port on the larboard side being closed and that
upon the starboard standing scarce two inches upon
the hook, but upon peering about a bit first one fea-
ture and then another came out.

We had taken two or three steps forward, and I
was casting a glance in the direction of the cook's
furnace, when an object nearly concealed by it
moved, and this I presently saw was the cook him-
self. He had been sitting on a box, with his elbows
on his knees, or in some manner bowed forward, and
rose up as we stopped and looked alertly at us. ' He
was a little fellow, inclined to be pursy, and near all
his figure was hidden by a long white apron, his face,
however, coming out in the winks of a short pipe!
I discovered that he had light hair, which is not com!

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

105

mon among the Spanish, and this made me notice
him a Httle more than I should otherwise have done.

He came out from his place seeing us halt, and
made a little civil gesture, upon which I bowed
gravely and gave him good-morning.

'' Buciws dnis;' he responded, and then, to my
great surprise, softly added, " but gude marning in
the auld tongue, if sae ye'll hae it."

He took out his pipe as he spoke and crossed
over to us.

" What, a Sandy ! " I cried, delighted, " and what
is he doing here? "

I seized his hand and gave it a most cordial grip,
as did also my companions, " Gae a bit cautiously,"
he whispered, with a meaning nod toward the fore-
castle. " Ye mauna seem owerpleased. You'll find
this a pleasant ship," he added in Spanish, " and able
in all weathers. I take it yonder is where you are
to sling your hammocks."

My companions caught the point he would make,
which was to avoid the jealousy or suspicion of the
boatswain, and they did not interrupt, while I re-
turned a suitable answer.

"Peteetion to sling your hammocks noo," he
swiftly whispered as I ended. " Likewise say bawldly
that ye need a mickle rest, and wad hae a bit drink
and a sup."

I nodded and asked aloud for a pipe. <' Mine is
broken," I said in Spanish, "and you know what a
seaman is without his clay."

" To be sure," he responded, " pipes enough, and
likewise tobacco. No stint of anything on the Pi-
lanca. I will get them for you at once. How is

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I06 MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

it with the other senores ? Will they be suppl
also ? "

ied

" Doubtless," I replied, " though they have Indian-
wood pipes that have hitherto served their turn,"

"I am to ask the boatswain to grant us a little
time below," I whispered to my companion. " Feign
overcoming weariness as we pass out "

"On the whole, friend cook," I said aloud, '<you
may get the pipes, but we will not stay for them.
We are exceeding weary, and will crave permission
to come presently below. We may then get a mo-
ment to taste your clay."

With this I signed to my companions to follow,
and returned to the forecastle. The boatswain had
hghted his own pipe and was sitting on one of the
men's boxes, firing away in leisurely puffs.

I made heavily along to him, exaggerating my
real weariness, and preferred my request.

"Aye, if you like," he replied carelessly. " Yon-
der, in that corner, you will find three hammocks.
The fellows that once used them are dead, so you
will not need to fight for them. Sling them and
afterward take your bite. Aye, and have a turn
with the pipe. A seaman is naught without his clay,
and you will be the fitter for work."

I thanked him and translated the talk to my com-
panions.

We were not long, saving that we dared not mend
our pace too suddenly, in slinging the hammocks
and disposing of our few effects. Of these last the
greatest, indeed, was Air. Tym's box, and that had
come by rather ill usage, owing to the invasion of
sea water.

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANKER.

107

It was now the beginning of the first dog watch,
and none of the men were in the forecastle. The
time was seasonable, and we hastened to begin our

confab with th(

nl both

:oniuu wiLii me cook, iie openec
tie, giving more light and air, and fetched some
empty boxes for seats, and when he had also started
his fire we began our discourse. We asked him first
what had brought him on a Spanish ship, for we
Britons are not often found on such, and in answer
he gave us a brief but consistent story of shipping
from a Scotch port and in a smart blow falling
overboard, to be picked up just in the nick of time
by a Spanish coaster. She had carried him to Mal-
aga, he said, his original port being Cartagena,
and from there he had been glad to ship on the
Pilanca. His story ended, we fell to questioning
him on our present surroundings. What was the
Pilanca, and who were these fine people she car-
ried ?

"Aweel, the Pilanca is naething but a common
sort of merchantman," he answered, "and her trade
is maist times betwixt Havana and the Straits, but
just noo she is a special charterer frae the King. She
is carrying Don Perez de Guzman, Governor of Pa-
nama, to Chagre, and the auld noble ye clavered wi'
is the man."

"Oh, ho!" struck in Mr. Tym, "that enlightens
us a bit. We can now conceive why his lordship has
so little love for the buccaneers. They have, to be
sure, given him a neat bit of trouble."

" Ye may add to the bringing him back frae Spain
in a hurry," said the cook with a grin.

"But now a word as to our own state, Sandy," I

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108 MASTER ARMCK, BUCCANEER.

began. "Or first, I should be thankful for a bett
grip of your name."

•• It'll be a cordial to hear ye speak it ; these I
canna," he answered with a sniff. " It's Donald
Ivrach, frae Clagvarloch."

"Then, friend Donald." I

oons

went on, '« what think
you of our prospects? Are they not something du-
bious ? ' **

J' I canna say nae," he answered, his countenance
sobering. "Ye are like to be ser'd wi' no sweet
sauce ance ye reach Panama."

"Say nothing of dancing to that bos'n's cat
nrieanwhile." growled the captain. "In a cruise to
the China Sea and back you'll meet no such dirty
box of a craft and such a mob for a crew."

" Nay, I think I have seen worse," interposed Mr
Tym gently. "Friend Donald, does not the wate^
boil ?

"Aye" said the Scotchman, jumping up, "and
noo I 11 hae ye the bit sup and bite."

He poured some of the water into a brown pot
■-the contents thereof smelled exceeding good-
fetched from a dark closet a wooden tray of shin's
bread, and filled with more of the water a Ju.le
earthen jar. This was fitted with a cover a ' ,-. n.s. '
and I supposed was a primitive sort of coffee pot^ '

" Aweel, noo, as to your state," said Mac Ivrach
pausing at the end of the preparations, and thought-
1 'V I.ghtmg his pipe. " I canna pretend to be gleg
•^ -. -H r. ^,ae I wad mak a spang at it, I wad say
bK.:e :. VI :.;<cle, and gie time and luck a bit chance
Ai'jiiViv -lie, ye mac A conseeder n

blithe to do ye a tu

me your friend,

rn.

"^^ff^

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

109

'• Let it rest so," said AFr. Tym. " Surely we can
ask no more. And now another question : Who are
all those other bravely dressed people? I noticed
both men and women."

I saw that we had gone to the bottom of my
question, for, indeed, the cook had no ideas to ad-
vance, and I turned with some light interest to the
other.

" Will it be brawly dressed fowk ? " said Mac-
Ivrach, brightening. "Nay, but we hae the Gov-
ernor's leddy— the auld dame wi' the dour look and
the bit whiskers— though it's no sure ye wad see
them, either, along wi' the mantilla, and sic like—
and for anither grit ane, Don Luis Delasco, a count
by title, and rich in land and gowd, but sma' in body,
and an ill tyke to look upon. He is the Governor's
son-in-law, and is no to be envied, they say, sic a
deil's ane scauld is her leddyship. Amang the ithers
are Don Lopez Castillo, Don Enrique de Cavodilla,
and Don Leon de Cruzon. They are hidalgos, and
friends o' the Governor, and three mair proud, pre-
ceese auld cocks ye'll gae far to find."

We were very well satisfied with this description,
and indeed, somewhat surfeited, especially in view
of the tempting smells from the cookery. Mac
Ivrach hastily inverted another box, hunted up three
pannikins, with spoons, which he placed upon it, and
poured out the mess from the pot. It proved to be
a delicious onion stew. We lost no time in proving
it, which I will say now pleased my palate more than
anything I ever remember of eating, and in this wise
I continued— being no whit before my companions-
till the pot was empty.

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MASTER ARUICK, BUCCANEER.

jif'l*

"Sae I was a lass I maun be bussed," said Mac
Ivrach when we had performed this feat. '* Aweel,
and I hae a mickle thing left, though I canna say it
is to be compared to the ither."

With that he fetched along the other pot, and
turned out, not coffee, indeed, but a dark, thin liquor,
which had a good-smelling odour. I had never seen
the like before, but Mr. Tym at once exclaimed de-
lightedly, "Tea!" and then 1 knew we were to be
served with this new China drink.

"Ye ken I pyked it frae the Governor's ain
store," said Mac Ivrach softly. " It wad sell in
England this day for abune forty shillings the
pund."*

Whether or not the dear price made it more pala-
table I can not say, but I essayed the drink— having
first put in a little sugar, which the Scotchman had
meanwhile provided— and found it refreshing, as
uell as pleasing. The captain, it seemed, was familiar
with it, and he, as well as Uv. Tym, drank it with
much gusto.

Mac Ivrach now crowned his hospitable efforts by
producing pipes and tobacco, and when we had moved
the boxes about, that we might take more com-
fortable postures, we raked a coal from the furnace,
and with great ease and pleasure proceeded to light
up. Our stomachs were satisfied, we were cosily by
ourselves, and the ship was travelling very pleasantly
along, so that, for the time at least, we might be

* The tea presented to Cliarles the Second by the East India
Company, in 1G66, was said to have been worth about fifty shillings
a pound. This was the first tea brought into England.

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

Ill

said to be in a state of comparative content. Tliis
was all the more grateful after the long hardship and
exposure of the raft. In the discourse that followed
we answered freely Mac Ivrach's questions, he hav-
ing till now but a scant knowledge of us, and con-
trived to impress him, as I thought, with the advan-
tage to himself in continuing his friendship and good
offices. We scrupled not, in labouring to this end to
enlarge upon the deeds of the buccaneers, particu-
larly of Henry Morgan, and expressed our confident
belief that the proud Governor would shortly find
his chief places of the Isthmus ascending in smoke
to the heavens.

The Scotchman discovered great satisfaction at
this, and I thought we were sure of him, even though
he was serving the Spaniard, and had, possiblv, a
sinister reason for not returning to the flag of Eng-
land.

Not long after this some of the crew came down,
and though none forced their company on us we con-
ceived that it might not be wise to prolong our con-
fab, and accordingly gave the cook a sign and broke
up. In no great while afterward the boatswain
summoned us, and we learned that we were presently
to be sent into the watches and report for duty.
This was done, and we found that the captain was
chosen for the first mate's watch, and Mr. Tym and
I for the second mate's, or starboard watch. It
seemed that we had four hours each, continually—
that is, watch and watch.

At four bells Mr. Tym and I were called, and we
left the captain to turn in (he being weary enough,
as indeed, were we), and repaired to the deck.

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MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

CHAPTER XI.

OF THE AUDACIOUS BUCCANEER.

Nothing noteworthy happened during our
watch, little, indeed, pressing to be done, and the
Spaniards too lazy or too indifferent to set us tasks.
I had Mr. Tym always in my eye, ready to give him
a lift should need be, but all passed without the
call. On going below again we caught a little rough
talk, one sailor conceiving some imaginary offence
or other, and swearing at us, but we went quietly by
and nothing came of it. The crew in general, I may
say, seemed fairish sort of fellows, but lazy and
dirty, and in nowise agreeable at nearer range than
they were. As to the soldiers, of whom I have hith-
erto said little, I judged them to be a stupid, slothful
set, much given to dicing and drinking, and of small
promise if it came to downright fighting. However,
I might be a bit prejudiced as to the last. They
were chiefly quartered in the 'tween-decks, abaft the
cargo, though some, including their captain, had a
better billet, namely, the foredeck house.

That night passed uneventfully, and, as I may as
well add, to be brief, so did the next three days.
The weather held fair, with moderate winds, and
there was nothing to put a strain upon any one. Of
course, in this time v.'e saw much of the grandees.
The most of them were a good deal on deck, though,
to be sure, they kept chiefly to the poop, and in a
short while I learned to distinguish them, and had
picked up the current talk of the ship concerning

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

113

them. There was the Governor's wife, for instance,
short, and of the build of a Dutch galiot, with many
bright colours in her gown and petticoat, but sallow
of skin, and in all wonderfully ugly. With her was
most times her daughter, the wife of Don Luis
Delasco, a large, rather handsome woman, but fall-
ing from her prime, and beginning to show the
marks of it in a black fuzz on her upper lip. She,
the talk went, was a rare scold. With these two,
doubtless from hard necessity, was often Don Luis
himself. The cook had described him as " an ugly
tyke," and so, in fact, he was, yet not harsh of bear-
ing, but only melancholy. Of others that I had
pointed out to me and came to recognise, the chief
were Don Lopez Castillo, Don Leon de Cruzon, and
Don Enrique de Cavodilla. These had their dames
and the first two some grown-up daughters with
them, but none to call for particular mention. To
close, I might add- two priests, one the chaplain of
the Governor, and the other a chance passenger.
Both were fat, greasy-looking fellows.

Meanwhile that this time was passing my com-
panions and I had come by a better knowledge of
things touching the voyage and the Governor's plp.ns.
It seemed we were to make but one more port be-
fore reaching Chagre, that being a place called Bara-
coa, in the eastern part of the island of Cuba. There
the Governor was to transact some business and ob-
tain such fresh stores as we needed, and thence meant
■ to fetch straight over for Chagre. It was customary
with Spanish ships bound for the Isthmus to touch at
Havana, which would make the run across more to
the west, and this was considered safer as to the

111

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114

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

•I »

danger from the buccaneers, but it appeared that the
Governor thought our force strong enough to set at
naught this danger. We had to confess some disap-
pointment just here, for we had hoped to touch at
Havana, as while there we conceived that some pos-
sible circumstance might open a way for our escape.
True, we should still be in a Spanish port, but in one
much affected by foreigners, and even by English-
men, and here we had in mind Mr. Jeremiah Hope,
to whom, it will be remembered, Captain Sellinger
was carrying a letter. However, this sort of reflec-
tion was now to no purpose, and we did not It .g
persist in it. We learned further that we were at
present about two days' sail from the nearest of the
chief West Indies Islands— that is, Puerto Rico— and
about six days from Baracoa. This was supposing
that the present fair wind held.

On the morning of the fourth day after our rescue
something of a thrilling and ^n part of a dreadful
sort happened, and this I shall now proceed to de-
tail. Mr. Tym and I were lying in our hammocks,
it being our watch below, when I thought I heard
some small stir on deck, followed by the bawling of
voices, as though delivering commands. I sat up
and listened, for I could not guess what was in the
wind, and as I did so the ship suddenly began to saw
up and down.

" What is doing ? " queried Mr. Tym, sitting up
in his hammock, as I had done.

" We seem to be fetching into the wind," I an-
swered, "but I can not say why."

" They are dragging at the ropes ! " he exclaimed
in surprise. " We are changing our course."

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

1^5

It was clearly so, indeed. While he spoke the
ship steadied, and we drove forward again, only now
with a leaning deck— in a word, were no longer sail-
ing free, but close hauled.

"It is passing singular," I said, and with one
mind we rose and scuffed into our shoes, having a
keen desire to solve the mystery. In the forecastle
beyond we met the cook, who had just descended the
ladder. He was a little out of breath, as though
from hurry, and his looks showed something had
happened.

"Hoots!" he cried, without waiting for us to
speak. "We are a' in a peekle. A buccaneer will
be oot yonder."

"A buccaneer!" I cried in surprise and joy.
"Are you certain? Nay, that is a pickle that is
right enough. When did he heave in sight ? "

"He has been showing a' the watch," he an-
swered, " and now we are rising him fast. Gin ye
are e'er sae wal pleased, ye wad be wise to hide it,"
he added under his breath.

I was quick to see the wisdom of the suggestion,
and returned an answering nod. " Come, Mr. Tym,"
I said in a lower and soberer key, " let us go and
have a look at this pirate."

I spoke the word pirate with purposed emphasis,
knowing that the fellows in the watch — most of
whom were now sitting up in their bunk . or slap-
ping about in their bare feet — would hear, and so
far understand me.

"Kpiraio/" went from one to another. The
most sluggish bounced out in a twinkling.

Leaving the cook to finish with them— or those

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MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

N*.

who would stay to hear — Mr. Tym and I hastened
up the ladder.

Truly enough, the sun was in our faces, and the
Pilanca was driving eastward, close hauled.

Directly astern, and I guessed now about four or
five miles distant, was the well-definec :anvas of the
supposed buccaneer. There was no saying anything
about him, of course, without a glass, and I could
merely guess that he was quite a little smaller than
the Pilanca. We might be raising him, but of course
that would not be apparent without longer inspection.

There was no great change in the weather. The
wind had strengthened a trifle since we went below,
and there was more head to the seas, but otherwise
everything stood nearly the same.

In this part of the ship the watch hung about the
braces, as though for orders, and there was an anx-
ious, subdued jabber running round, but no particu-
lar confusion.

Aft I found the poop cleared of bright gowns and
petticoats, the prudent old Governor thinking, doubt-
less, it might be wise to offer as few allurements as
possible, and in their place were five or six of the
shhiing, armoured guards. Others of these fighting
men were disposed about the quarter-deck, and, all
told, I guessed the entire company was on duty.
The Governor himself, a sombre-lmed cloak flung
over his gay attire, was walking to and fro on the
poop, and Captain Placido was spying with a glass
from the weather mizzen shrouds.

It took but a moment to come at these things,
and then we looked around for Captain Sellinger,
meaning to get further enlightenment, regarding the

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

117

buccaneer. The captain had been forward on some
duty, but now appeared, and we went aside with him
and questioned him. There was not very much to
tell, he said. The stranger, though coming from a
dangerous quarter, excited no suspicion at first.
The lookout had raised him in the western seaboard,
and for a time he appeared to be bound about south-
east. As he drew nearer the glasses were worked
upon him, and presently the discovery was made
that he spread large canvas for his size, and ap-
peared to be heavily armed. He still continued to
creep up, and before long had edged near enough so
that some further things in the fashion of his build
and rig could be made out. Then it was seen that
his lofty spars, sharp bows, and low deck houses
strongly indicated him to be English. The Governor
thereupon decided to alter the Pilanca's course a
little, which he did, fetching her two or three points
to the east. At this the stranger made no more
bones of it, but put up his helm and stood straight
for us. But one thing could now be suspected, yet
to be quite confirmed the Governor ran up his flag.
The stranger made no response, and continued his
course. Then it became certain enough what was in
the wind, and a council of the grandees and officers
was held. It went grievously against the Governor's
pride and that of the dons to run away, but in pru-
dence no other course seemed open. Besides, the
safety of the women was to be considered. The
foe had the advantage of a nimbler, handier-working
ship, and doubtless mustered an equal or larger
crew. Moreover, it was odds that this crew were
every one desperate, hardy fellows, fearing death

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MASTER AKDICK, BUCCANEER.

nil!

; I

l.i;!

not a rush, and skilled in the use of weapons. For
ail these reasons the Governor pocketed his pride
and put up his helm, and we were now to see what
would come of it.

We discussed the matter at some length after the
captain had finished his explanations. We decided
that a great water-castle like the Pilanca, with rela-
tively small sails and bluff bows, must be inferior at
plying, and that some excellent trick of seamanship
would be needed if we were to shake off a fellow like
the buccaneer.

"And yet," added Captain Sellinger, "there is
one point in our favour — I mean in favour of the
Pilanca — the wind is stiffening. Should it continue
she can carry on to beat this fellow, and may yet
escape."

" I conceive," said I, " that we three should ar-
range some definite plot or plan of action. Let us
do so while yet we have the time."

"That I say amen to," said the captain, "Mr.
Tym, as your brain is more fertile than mine, con-
ceive something."

"Let us rather all consider," answered the super-
cargo. " Say that we do so while this watch lasts,
and then presently confer."

" Agreed," we said ; and in order to get the use
of our thoughts the better, as well as to avoid sus-
picion, Mr. Tym and I thereupon left the captain
and mingled with the crew.

The Spaniards looked rather more sourly than
usual upon us — which, perhaps, was no great wonder
— but nothing was said, and we secured a quiet roost
upon the 'midships weather-rail.

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

119

The pursuer seemed to be making some gain,
though less than I had expected, and I could now
get a very distinct view of his slanting square of sail.
I wondered at first why our captain did not ease a
bit and try what he could do a few points free, but
finally concluded that he knew his own ship and his
own business best, and that at least it was a waste
of time for me to speculate upon it. It was true
that he was making the most of the present course,
for every rag of canvas was spread, and he had
sweat his braces till the yards nigh stood fore and
aft. The wind was freshening, as indications had
led us to expect, and even now the Pilanca put her
nose in with quite a strong thrust, and turned the
seas with considerable white ado as she took the
strengthened lift and dip of them.

Mr. Tym and I did not talk, for when we were
not observing the pursuer we were busy in reflection,
and I tried to forget the chatter behind me and the
dinning along of the vessel while I made the most of
the time.

I confess my brain refused to resolve anything — •
or anything of moment,— and it was at last with some
vexation and doubt of the whole matter that I gave
up and jumped off my perch.

The stronger wind, as it seemed, was now helping
us, for the sail astern no longer enlarged, after the
former fashion. Indeed, I thought the Pilanca was
nearly holding her own. In due time our watch
went on, and till the other relieved us the supercargo
and I were about the deck.

It was now the time that we were to meet to
discuss our plans, and accordingly Mr. Tym and I

1. 11

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MASTKR ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

slipped up from below (where we had gone with the
rest, to seem the more natural) and joined the cap-

tain. He had us to the weather b

ow, near the fore-
deck, where was no one at the time, and without
delay we began.

There will be no need to give the fulness of the
talk. In the end we decided upon a scheme pro-
posed by Mr. Tym and slightly amended by the
captain. It was, in brief, that we should const

a little float or raft.

which, as soon as it bee

dark, or it was evident that the Pilanca was t

ruct
;ime

was
should

o es-

cape, we should boldly put off. We could make this
raft of casks and odds and ends to be obtained for
us by the cook, and the launching would be from
one of the 'tween-decks ports. Some obstacles that
might oppose would be the darkness of the night (if
we had to delay till then), rendering it uncertain
whether the buccaneer was coming on or no, or a sus-
picion of us by the Spaniards, causing them to watch
us, or it might be that it would come on to blow,
rendering the attempt too hazardous. At best we
could not foresee the risks and hinderances, and it
would be time enough to let them daunt us when
they appeared.

Our plot laid, the next thing was to begin to
carry it out. The cook, as we expected, was blithe
to help us. Indeed, he seemed, I thought, inclined
to go with us; but presently, as I started to find out
more exactly about it, he shifted the subject. He
appeared, however, fully enlisted in our behalf.

The materials for our raft being readily found,
were put together. Four casks were used to form
the ends (it must necessarily be very narrow, to pass

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

121

through the port), and all was made fast with some
strong line and a few nails. To avoid discovery, the
affair was then carried to an obscure corner of the
cook's quarters and partly covered with firewood.
We had now made our chief preparations, and had
little more to do than await the fitting moment.

On returning to the deck we found the situation
in a small degree changed. The buccaneer still
stormed along in our wake, but now with a little
gain, and the Tilanca continued to hug the wind.
By eight bells the enemy was clearly rising, and
at two bells he was not greatly beyond cannon

range.

I stood by, ready to jump and haul, and with a
quickening of excitement awaited the next turn of
events.

It was not long in coming. Captain Placido
swung upon the lee bulwark, holding on by the main
shrouds, and bellowed:

"Down helm! Slack lee braces! Haul on the
weather ! "

"By heavens! He means to run the gantlet!"
exclaimed Mr. Tym.

So it seemed. The buccaneer had been on our
lee bow when first discovered, and was still well to
the south. By squaring our yards, then, and delib-
erately pointing our nose southwest, we meant to
run under his very nose.

"And yet it stands to be his safest plan," said
Captain Sellinger. "A ship like this, riding light
and with a poop like a church, will do nothing save
with the wind. Once let us fetch by and our chances
are doubled."

1 22

MASTKR ARDICK. BUCCANF.ICR.

I saw this too, and with a lively tinj:^le in my
veins prepared to watch the dangerous trial.

C'aptain Placido evidently realized to the full the
risk he was taking. 'I'he yards were barely squared
when he mounted studding sails and ordered all the
chief canvas to be wet. Men with buckets were
accordingly sent aloft, others forming in line to
supply them, and in a few minutes the canvas and
topsails were dark with water. The Oovernor must
have ratified this daring piece of business, and I am
sure he felt the responsibility of it, for he was in a
great state of uneasiness, I do not believe standing
quiet for as much as twenty seconds at one time.

It was in truth no light risk. At the very best
we must pass within easy cannon shot, and who
could tell what fatal ball would splinter a chief spar
or bring down by the run some vital piece of can-
vas ?

The buccaneer had altered his course as we al-
tered ours, and was now standing a few points south
of east. He could scarce be better than a mile and
a half away, and we saw plainly the moving black
dots of the crew about his decks. He was a hand-
some, tigerish-looking fellow, let him be who or what
he might.

The Pilanca rose and tilted handsomely down the
successive seas. Standing in the waist, it was. a won-
drous sight to see her mighty stern rise in air, as it
were carrying her castellated poop aloft to place it
in the clouds, and then to behold the whole sink
swiftly and all a-tilt till it stood ready to be dumped
into a water valley ! Her masts stood the strain of
the canvas well. There were broad fields of the

MASTER ARDICK. BUCCANEER.

123

cloths, dank with water and d

riven hard with wind.

ops were

To be poetical, in the slim hei^dus of the t .
three snowy patches, where the unwet canvas L..
white, like so many peaks of Alp.

Nearer and nearer swung the buccaneer. I could
catch even the Hash of his wet side now, as he rolled,
with a sort of swagger, to the successive, uplifting
seas. Nearer still, till a half mile is reeled off, and
less than a whole one separates us.

A drum on our quarter-deck beat. The armoured
guards fell into line, and their captain drew his
sword and stepped out upon the flank. Three of
the duns came out of the cabin, all in cuirasses, buff
gauntlets, and broad belts hung with pistols. Don
Luis Delasco, the Governor's son-in-law, was one of
the trio. Then it was Captain Placido's turn. He
came to the break of the quarter-deck and faced us.

"Bring up powder and ball for the deck guns.
Take the hoods off the brass pieces. Two more men
at the helm. Gunners for the port guns below.
Master Pedillo, unlock the arms chests and have the
hangers and pistols passed up. Master Lonzelo, take
si.x men and fetch up the pikes. Pedro, see that
buckets of water are set about, and when all is ready
put on the hatches."

It grew wonderfully suggestive of battle, and
between that and the strain of our own secret matter
my heart thumped exceeding loud and distinct.

Larger and larger grew the buccaneer. The
black dots took on the shape of human figures, and
the eight ports in his side cut out square, each with

Its round, target-like rinr^. The 1

ling with people in armour. He

ow poop was s

park-

was withm easy

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MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

"f;^

cannon shot, at last, and I watched him intently and
hardly drew a full breath.

A gun ! The jet of flame leaped from the fore-
deck, and the powder cloud blew off to leeward.
But it was harmless It had been fired across our
bows. Then something shook out above the heads
of those on his quarter-deck, and up to the mizzen
topgallant-mast travelled a flag. It blew out as it
went, broad, double cross* on a crimson field.

" English ! " I could not help saying, with the
water ready to start in my eyes. " God bless her ! "

"She would merely ask us to heave to," said
Captain Sellinger in my ear. " Marry, a modest re-
quest for a craft of two hundred tons to make of
one of five! Now, let's see what the old peacock
will do."

Captain Placido hurried up to the Governor and
said a few words. What the answer was I could not
guess, but at once the captain ran to the main hatch,
lifted it, and roared down :

" Train your broadside and fire ! "

Then he waved his arms and shouted to those
manning the guns:

" Aim and fire ! "

The ship trembled with the tremendous concus-
sion. Smoke seemed to rise from everywhere, and
the buccaneer disappeared momentarily behind the
veil.

When it drifted away at last he was still driving
toward us and seemingly unharmed.

* That is, St. George's Cross and St. Andrew's ; St. Michael's
was added at a later date.

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

125

Some one touched me on the arm; I turned and
discovered Mr. Tym.

" Bide a moment and then come below. Let the
hatch drop after you."

I was brought abruptly back to our own business
and shook myself together. Nobody seemed to be
paying any attention to me. I slipped over and
dropped quietly down the hatch.

! I

CHAPTER XII.

OF THE CARRYING OUT OF OUR SCHEME.

I FOUND the place deserted, every man being on
deck. The port toward the enemy was closed, and,
with the hatch down, all was comparatively quiet I
expected momentarily to hear the answering dis-
charge from the buccaneer, but as yet it had not
come. There was no time for delay, and I hurried
through into our quarters and then found my com-
panions. Mac Ivrach was not in sight.

The place was in some gloom, for the port on the
cook's side— that is, the one toward the enemy— was
closed, and the other stood but an inch or two upon
the hook.

" The crisis is not far off," said Mr. Tym ; "where-
fore we must be prepared. Should the Pilanca stand
the battering and break by, we could scarce be too
speedy in taking leave."

I apprehended him. Once get the buccaneer
astern, and the Pilanca stood fair to shake him off.
In that case we must needs act quickly or not at all.

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126

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

I now inquired for Mac Ivrach, and was told he
would be with us presently.

" He deems it wise to remain about the deck as
long as possible and be seen of the crew," explained
the captain.

"Hark!" said Mr. Tym ; "the English ship is
opening fire ! "

This was what we were waiting for, and we sus-
pended talk to listen. The sound was somewhat
deadened to us, but still it was a heavy and com-
manding thunder. It continued for several sec-
onds, till I judged all the available guns had been
fired.

" 1 think she aimed high, so as to cut our spars
and rigging," said the captain when all was quiet.
"At least, there seems no scathe to this part of the
hull."

" Let us see how near she is," said I, and I un-
hooked the starboard port. " Marry, she is on our
quarter!" I exclaimed in surprise. "She is not
above half a mile distant, but we have clearly dropped
her."

The others anxiously looked over my shoulder.

" Nay, you are a little in error," said the captain.
"She is more astern, but quite as near."

"She should put forth her best efforts now,
wherever she is," said Mr. Tym, after a critical
glance. " She is not sure of finding such another
opportunity."

"She fetches about to give us her other broad-
side ! " I exclaimed a moment later.

I felt secretly thankful that at least the after part
of the ship now pretty effectually shielded us, but

r«!

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

127

did not put the thought into words. Forthwith the
ne.xt heavy booming began, and again we listened
with great anxiety.

"By heavens, they have winged us!" cried Cap-
tain SelHnger, as a sharp, crackHng noise rose above
the other sounds, followed by the thump of some
heavy object.

" A big spar, or I am a liar ! " he went on. " Nay,
but the buccaneer manages bravely ! "

"That may bring the matter to a head," said Mr.
Tym coolly. " I think we should now do well to
arm."

We ran over to our own corner, accordingly, and
hurriedly produced our concealed weapons. These
had been hidden away since first we came on board.
With other preparations, Mr. Tym failed not to screw
in his curious arm dagger.

Scarce was this done when some of the Pilan a's
guns began in turn to thunder. None were of large
calibre, being merely a few deck pieces on the stern,
and we felt little fear of their work.

" You would not wait till we are boarded ? " I in-
quired in some anxiety of Mr. Tym.

" Nay, lest the ship's people, retreating here,
might wreak their fury upon us," he answered. "I
think we should wait but a little longer."

It would have been no longer, had the matter
rested with me, for, indeed, I was growing nervous,
but I held my peace.

One or two of the Pilanca's guns went off, and
then there was a brief silence, followed by a great
shouting.

" Can it be that those lobscourers have hit any-

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128

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

thing?" exclaimed the captain between contempt
and anxiety.

We ran to the port to settle the question, but the
buccaneer was so nearly astern of us as to be con-
cealed.

*' Some one comes ! " I cried, for at that moment
the hatch in the forecastle banged sharply down.

" I think Mac Ivrach," cried Mr. Tym, stepping
or.t where he could command the view. "Aye," he
immediately announced, "it is the cook."

The fellow came in on a run. " Launch the raft,"
he cried, "and dinna stop to claver ! A' things hae
gaen wrang ! "

We paused for no more than to get the sense of
his words, and flew to the raft and dragged it out.
It was from the larboard port that we would launch
it, for on the other had been the fighting, and there-
fore the concentration of the crew.

There were now varied thumping noises on deck,
which I took to be the clearing away of the fallen
spar and other dSn's, and I was just wondering
whether the ship's people felt assured of their escape
when there was a commotion of voices aft, and im-
mediately a little thunder of trucks showed that the
door leading into the soldiers' berth had been run
open. This door was at the end of the narrow pas-
sage that I have before spoken of, and was distant
from where we stood not over seven or eight paces.

" Quick ! " cried Mr. Tym. " Out with it ! The
guards are upon us ! "

We snatched up the raft as though it had been a
clothes-pole and made one fair tlirust of it into the
water.

stand

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

" Lay aboard, Mr. Tym ! " I cried. " I \
by and cast off."

I had retained the bit of line that answered for
the painter, and drew it to a taut scope, as I spoke.

" Not so," he said firmly. '' I must hold the pas-
sage. Go, you and the captain."

He had whipped his sword from its sheath before
he had half finished his speech, and with the conclu-
sion made a long, light bound and gained the nar-
row opening.

Luckily the soldiers had delayed a little, I think
because of some dispute or wrangling, for I heard
an oath or two, but as Mr. Tym answered they began
to clatter through.

Only one man could advance at a time, and I
doubted not the brave little gentleman could hold
them in check. Pistols, indeed, the guards did not
have, and their guns I conceived they musfhave left
behind.

I did not comply with Mr. Tym's directions, I
hardly know why, but in the main I think because I
had some shame in leaving him, and because the
whole affair was so startling and confusing. No
more did the captain heed him, but stood resolutely
where he was.

The soldiers brought up of a sudden, their tramp-
ing coming to an end and their armour knocking to-
gether.

From where I stood I could not make out one,
though I looked, with a kind of fascination, toward
the narrow hole.

"Santa Madre ! what means this?" growled a
fellow, seemingly the leader.

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130

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

"Stand aside, senor! Would you threaten the
soldiers of his Excellency's own guard ?"

Mr. Tym whipped a glance over his shoulder and
saw us still hanging in the wind.

" I pray you, go," he said entreatingly. " I know
not how long this will last."

But before we could have complied, even had we
the will to do so, the forecastle in the rear came
alight, and five or six men swung down the ladder.

" One of the watches," growled the captain.
" This is a fine kettle of fish ! "

He drew his sword and brushed past me to the
opening.

I whipped out my own blade and belayed the
painter of the raft to a cleat.

" You had best retreat behind the furnace," I
said to the cook. "Bullets will be flyi.ig presently."

I had grown quite cool by this time, or, at least,
my nerves \V'ere better ordered. To my surprise the
man shook his head and quietly fetched out a great
knife,

"We are a' in the same box," he said resolutely,
** and why should I no do my part ? "

I had not considered it in that light before, but
was only too glad of his aid. All this had passed,
as I might say, in a twinkling, though I have spun
out some words in describing it. The men in the
forecastle began shouting and cursing, and for a mo-
ment showed their ugly faces in the door, but the
captain's long sword made them pause. This could
not last. Two or three wheeled about, and I heard
them slapping up the ladder. It seemed to me also
that the rearmost of the soldiers were retreating.

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

131

" Deil tak the airn-pots ! " growled Mac Ivrach.
" They hae broucht aboot this banchle ! Their crav-
ing balHes couldna bide till the mess."

" Listen, friends," said Mr. Tym without turning
his head. " We must fetch this thing to a close. In
a moment they will have firearms, and it will be too
late. I see no hope except that the captain and I
may stand them off till you, Ardick, with Mac Ivrach
retreat to the raft. That done, we will make a di-
version and attempt to join you."

"It shall be done, sir," said I promptly. I was
so high in my courage on this point that I was ready
to remain and take a hand in the brush, were that
advisable.

'* Get you upon the raft," I said hurriedly to Mac
Ivrach. " I will cast off and follow."

"Vera gude," he answered coolly, and slipped
through the port. I was about to follow, for the
time indeed presred, when the fellows in the fore-
castle gave a triumphant shout.

" They have pistols ! " cried the captain warning-
ly. "They are going to shoot !"

The frail bulkhead was no barrier to bullets, and
I threw myself fiat. As I did so I saw Mr. Tym
drop to all fours.

Two heavy reports followed, and the smoke drove
in at the doorway. I scrambled to my feet and had
Mr. Tym instantly in my eye. He was straightening
up and glancing around. The captain was close
behind him, but sitting flat with his knee cradled in
his hands.

"They have disabled me. Fly!" I heard him
say, and with that men burst in at both entrances.

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132

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

I can not pretend to give clear details of what
followed. Mr. Tym lunged back desperately, and I
saw one fellow double up and fall. The next man
tripped over him and the supercargo improved the
time to wheel and rush to my side.

"Out! " was the one word he said, and I let go
the painter and sprang upon the ledge of the {)ort.
As the end of the line whisked clear I stooped and
shot headlong down.

CHAPTER XIII.

OF A MYSTERIOUS DECREE OF FATE.

i '

I ROSE to the surface at once and shook the
water from my eyes. The first thing I saw was the
great impending bulk of the ship. It towered far
over me, and was rushing past, flooding back froth-
ing and divided seas. I fought my way to the top
of the next crest and looked around. To my joy
Mr. Tym was close at hand, spitting and shaking his
head, as though he had just come up from his dive,
but riding lightly and easily. Turning my head to
see what had become of Mac Ivrach and the raft, I
saw the structure pitching up and down on a neigh-
bouring sea, but to my sorrow without the Scotch-
man.

In the line of the raft, but near a mile away, wa^
the pursuing ship. She was a bad mess forward, for
her sprit-topmast had been shot away, and some of
the litter was dragging over the bows.

1 had time for no more than this flash of a look

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

133

about. All my attention was now upon the rushing
bulk of the ship. She was so near that I could see
little higher than her bulwarks. Her ports on that
side were open, though the guns had not been used,
and in each opening were the protruding heads of the
gunners.

I thought some shouted at us, and certainly a
few gesticulated, but whether in anger or astonish-
ment, or both, I could not tell. They were by in a
moment, and immediately we were passing under
the towering height of the poop. Now came the
critical moment, tor we were about to shoot out
clear, and there could scarce be a doubt that we
should be saluted with a shower of balls. That we
had not already been made targets of was beyond
peradventure because the Governor and Captain Pla-
cido were busied with more pressing matters. Now
the great strain was relaxed, for the buccaneer had
as good as given over the chase, and we might
expect to prove the accuracy of the Spanish aim.

The ship seemed to lift away from us, and at once
we got the range of her whole side. To my dismay
all the bulwarks were overhung with heads, and a
dozen or more of the steel-shelled guards showed
above the low poop rail. The story of our doings
had spread over the ship at last, and doubtless the
angry dons were primed for vengeance.

There seemed to be nothing that we could do,
unless it was to dive, as they made to fire, and that
would be likely to prove of little avail. Our main
hope must be in the poorness of their aim and the
little time we should be within range. I did not for-
get also that our bobbing heads presented rather in-

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134

MASTER ARDICK. BUCCANEER.

ferior targets. They let go soon enough, for I had
scarce gotten the whc/le range of the side when a
score or more of guns and pistols were aimed, some
from as far forward as amidshij^s, and a blaze along
the whole line followed.

I dove, though of necessity not far, and when I
put my head out again the volley was over. A glance
showed Mr. Tym, seemingly unharmed, and the ship
swiftly receding.

"Poor shooting, sir!" I shouted, not a little re-
lieved and even exhilarated.

" They will try to amend it," he called back,
" My eyes are not good at this distance. Are not
those the grandees concentrating on the poop ?"

"Aye, it is so," I answered after a look. "Will
they join in this business?"

*' I think so," he returned, "and mayhap do a lit-
tle ca inon shooting."

This was not very enlivening, but the fact was
less so, for the bright line of figures seemed steady
for an instant, and half a dozen muskets were delib-
erately pointed and fired.

One or two shots came close, for though I dove
I was aware of a flurry in the water near me, and
when my head came out Mr. Tym was looking anx-
iously my way.

"Not hurt?" he asked.

"Nay," I answered, "but it was rather close.
They have not harmed you ?"

" Not a whit."

" Shall we swim for the raft ? "

"Aye, for I am growing weary."

We turned as he spoke, and to my astonishment

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

135

re-

there was the raft close at hand. For some reason
it had come before the wind faster than I could have
calculated, and was ready now as a very timely
refuge.

We disregarded further danger from the shoot-
ing and faced about. The raft came on, climbing
a crest at the moment and riding swiftly down again,
and it was then that both of us cried out in amaze-
ment. For a human head was sticking above the
stern end, and a familiar shock of light hair, albeit
now darkene ^ a little witi. the wet, covered the head.
In a word, it was the worthy cook.

" Ise be there in a blink," he called. " Dinna ye
waste your strangth."

We gave over further effort, accordingly, and
directly the affair rode down to us. I was the first
out of the water, and gave Mr. Tym a pull, after
which Mac Ivrach himself crawled out.

"I was no liking to be sae fair a target," he said
composedly, "though yon callants are overpoor
marksmen."

We seized his hand and shook it heartily.

"And you saw us, and urged the raft along?" I
said. " Seasonably done, for we were like to be
weary ere we fetched it."

" A gun ! " cried Mr. Tym.

Not one cannon, but several seemed to be pointed
and were rapidly fired. Luckily their aim was poor,
and nothing more than a fuss here and there in the
water resulted. We began to be still further en-
couraged.

" Is not the buccaneer recovering himself in some
sort ? " inquired Mr. Tym, after a moment or two.

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136

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEF.R.

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I rose as high as my knees and took a shrewd
look.

"Aye, he has got the greater part of the mess
cleared away, and holds on his course," I answered.
"Ah, me! if the poor captain were but with us! " I
added with a sigh.

" Nay, but we will ransom him, or deliver him in
some fashion," said Mr. Tym cheerfully. "The
Governor is stern and hath a Spanish temper, but I
think will not misuse him."

" Would I felt assured of it ! " I replied. " More-
over, there is his wound. At best I fear they will
prove careless leeches."

•* Mither o' God ! he will never need leech mair ! "
burst out Mac Ivrach. " Look-yonner ! "

We had taken our eyes for a moment from the
Pilanca, but at this dreadful exclamation half sprang
up and turned that way. What we saw struck the
blood from our cheeks, and left us silent with conster-
nation. The ship had fetched, perhaps, two points to
the wind, so that again we had an oblique view of
her side, and a scene on her main dcuk was brought
to view. A group of figures there moved, and in the
instant a single shape rose above their heads and
travelled up swiftly to the main yardarm ! There it
seemed to dangle for a moment, and then fell into
the motion of the ship, and swung pendulum-like, in
board and out.

It was a time of horror, and I scarce know what
we said. We had no doubt that the man was the
captain, for who else could be executed at such a
time ? Moreover, w-hen I came to look more intently,
I made at a patch of white about the upper part of

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

^17

his figure, which would answer for the captain's shirt,
crew wearing a garment of that descrip-

none of the

tion, but only blouses and dark tunics.

We crouched low again, and watched the poor
body as it jerked and swung. There was a dreadful
fascination in the sight, and for one I could not take
my eyes from it. I have the thought that the super-
cargo broke out a-swearing once, not loud, but as I
might say between his teeth, and that I laughed sav-
agely when I heard him. Truth is, I was well-nigh
worn out with what I had been through, and such
things as occurred in those few minutes come back
to me in confused fashion, almost as one recalls a
dream.

The buccaneer continued to hear down upon us,
and as soon as he was .iilim r.-asonable signalling
distance Mac Ivrach took off his waistcoat and
waved it. It was as large a distress flag as we had,
for all of us were without coat.';.

Nearer he came, and at last his broad bow, with
its stump of '^^'^ spritsail mast, was close at hand.
A crowd of i _,uies showed above the low bulwark of
the foredeck, and I looked excitedly till one of them
should hail. It was only a moment. A man in a
cuirass and headpiece, standing b i..' weatl er
shrouds, leaned over and put his hano to his
mouth.

" Raft ahoy ! "

Oh, what a brave, homelike hail it was, to be
sure ! E^'ery word English !

I sprang to my feet, all the old strength of my
voice returned.

" 'Board the ship ! " I roared back. " We are

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138

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

English!" It was surely unnecessary now to tell
him that we were in distress.

There was a stir in the group. Whether they
caught the very words was doubtful, as the brisk
wind was against us, but the import, I doubted not,
they understood.

"We will luff!" shouted the 'man back. "Be
ready to catch a line ! "

"Aye, aye!" I returned.

She came into the wind, and while her bows beat
up a great smother of foam and her sails flapped ana
thundered, the line snaked out and I seized it and
made it fast. We were hauled rapidly in, and a
dozen strong, sunburned hands helped us scramble
up the side.

" Square the yards ! " roared the same voice that
had hailed me.

Men knocked by me to the after braces, and I
was too confused to get out of the way, sailor though
I was.

"Well, and how is it with you now?" asked a
new and quiet voice, and I started and stared like a
fool, for the owner of the voice was Nicholas Pradey !

CHAPTER XIV.

OF THE DOING ON THE BUCCANEER.

Mr. Tvm had waited for me, having gained a step
in advance, but the rush over the crowded deck had
pressed him back. He was not at my side, therefore,
when the vUlain addressed his question to me.

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

139

For the life of me I could not lay instant hold of
the word to answer. The surprise, the feeling that
fate had played us a trick, something like the sug-
gestion that the rogue was destined, in spite of all,
to triumph — these mingled impressions confused me
and held the words back on my lips.

But all was the business of an instant, and by that
time Mr. Tym was at my elbow. He had made out
the villain, though it seemed he had not caught the
exact purport of the inquiry. He drew himself up
sternly and looked the fellow in the face.

"What may be your question, sir? I trust it
may be such that the answer can be brief."

Pradey coolly took off his steel headpiece and
ran his fingers through his hair. He looked really
soldierlike in cuirass, buff-coat, jack boots, and long
sword.

" Nay," he answered leisurely, " your manner is a
bit stiff and unfriendly. Best take some further con-
sideration, and thcu we will discourse. Meanwhile
you have wants that shall be attended to. We can
fit you and Master Ardick, here, as well as this good
fellow, with drier clothes than you have. Lieuten-
ant Phibbert ! "

A big fellow in steel headpiece and body armour,
but otherwise in ordinary sea habit, pushed out of
the crowd. I recognised him as the man who had
hailed us,

" Have these people below. Bestow this one in the
vacant berth off the cabin, and find the others bunks
in the steerage. Ask Lieutenant Niles for a shift for
this gentleman — I opine they are near the same big-
ness, — and have the slop chest overhauled for Master
10

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MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

-i| -

Ardick and the other. In truth," he concluded, with
a cold grin, "we do our calling no discredit in be-
stowing this hospitality, for I can aver that these
two, at least, are rare fighting men ! "

I glanced irresolutely at Mr. Tym. It was a
strange tack that this singular rogue had fetched
upon. He was Stirely in authority, and doubtless
meant to treat us well, for the present at least, and
the question was, should we attempt to stand out
against him ? In what sort could we behave if we
refused his offers ?

Mr. Tym puffed out his lips and sucked them
back, as his habit was when perplexed or in thought,
and after a glance at me answered:

"Speaking for myself, I would choose to have
as little as possible between us ; yet I acknowledge
we are not wholly in case to refuse your offers. Let
our absolute needs be met, then, since it must be
so, but ask us not — I am sure I speak for Master
Ardick as well as for myself — ask us not to exchange
more than the strictest need of words with you.
Further, I refurs your offer of the cabin, and would
be sent forward with my friends."

Pradey clapped on his headpiece, the sort of jeer-
ing good nature, if I may so term it, dying out of
his look.

*' Be it so ; I care not how you have it. Go where
you wish, and be as mum as you like. I make but the
one condition — you and the others shall blab noth-
ing of old matters. At a later time I will send for
you."

"Well," said Mr. Tym, "wc arc conformable to
that, are we not, friends ? "

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

141

Doth Mac Ivrach and I assented.

" Get refreshment, then," said Pradey, turning
away, " and at a proper season you shall be sum-
moned."

The lieutenant stood forward, and we made to
follow him, but ere we did so I ran one keen glance
around.

This new deck, was small, and, by contrast with
the Pilanca, seemed almost to belong to a mere
Channel lugger. The poop was low, and the bows
proportion ■ even lower, and the bulwarks were
nowhere iii •■ <„ a man's breast. And these ;. oderate
limits held a crew in contrast to anything I had seen
before. I think every man was on deck. Many of
the faces were English, but there were French, Dutch,
Swedes, and I know not what besides. With the rest
were a few negroes, and I saw some of those dusky,
fierce countenances — Moors and the like — that one
meets in the Mediterranean trade. Their dress was
as varied as their faces. Sober coats, brilliant tunics,
the rough sea rig of the Scandinavian sailor side by
side with the dirty cotton shirt of the bare-armed
negro. After the same sort were their weapons.
Swords, scimitars, Indian axes, daggers of every
shape and length, matchlocks, snaphances, ancient
wheel locks, blunderbusses, pistols — I have not time
to go over the list. In defensive armour alone was
there some approach to uniformity. Except a few
East Indian casques and two or three old-fashioned,
lobster-tail helmets, I saw only modern headpieces,
and the score or so of men who wore body armour
were equipped with well-conditioned breast and back
plates. Of cannon there were not fewer than fifteen

142

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

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or sixteen in sight, though most were of small calibre,
and a great bundle of pikes was disposed near the
neighbouring mast.

I passed quick opinion upon the whole sight, both
men and arms, which was that all was formidable
enough, and yet less than I had supposed in the
matter of modernness and uniformity of weapons.

I ccncluded my look around by dwelling an in-
stant on the escaping Pilanca, and there the same
mournful spectacle met my eyes as before. The
body of the poor captain still dangled from the yard-
arm, only now, to be sure, reduced small, and cer-
tain only as to outline. The Pilanca herself was
drawing away, her course a little west of south, and
all her canvas full. I could now detect, in a way,
what her injury was, which proved to be a shattered
mizzen-topmast. It would have been enough, in-
deed, to have worked her considerable harm, only
that her course was what it was and that the bucca-
neer had been worse dealt with.

I saw that Mr. Tym's look travelled the same
way as mine, and he, too, dwelt for an instant on the
receding Spaniard and the grim shape swinging aloft,
but no word passed between us. As for Mac Ivrach,
who had been overshadowed in these doings, he
looked vastly boxed about and puzzled, but asked
no questions.

We followed on dripping in the wake of the lieu-
tenant, and were had down the companion to a
plainly furni.hed cabin.

" Stand by and I will see what can be found to
thaw the cockles," said the lieutenant.

He fetched us to at the table and took from a locker

MASTER ARDICK, T3UCCANEER.

hard by a hospitable-looking black bottle. Glasses
were in the rack overhead, and he filled four and
bade us toss off. It proved to be very good sack,
and was most acceptable, chilled and weary as we
were. The lieutenant kept us company, and, when
we had all emptied a second of the small glasses, he
opened the low door leading into the 'tween-decks,
and piloted us along to the steerage. As the ship
carried no cargo all this space was given up to
sleeping accommodations, but in truth there was no
room to spare, as the company was so great. There
were bunks and hammocks, and clothes hanging on
pegs, till the place seemed like the berth-deck of a
royal ship. The steerage was only a moderate space,
and was partly filled with coils of rigging, spare
spars and the like, yet was no bad or uncomfortable
berth. There were five or six bunks besides ours,
and we judged by the sailor's rig about them that
all were in use. Of course the chief part of the
light and air came in from ports, and of these there
were four, but two were pretty well taken up by
cannon.

The lieutenant, who, like most big, fleshy men,
seemed rather good-natured, and who might have
been made more so by the wine, bade us find places
and make ourselves at home, and withdrew to hunt
up the clothes. These came in due time, not ill-
fitting sea rigs, but better than we expected, Mr.
Tym's, in particular, very trim and decent.

While we wer'i shifting we relieved Mac Ivrach's
curiosity by telling him into whose hands we had
fallen. After concluding, we all agreed that we
could do no more now than to conduct ourselves

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MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

li i

quietly, treating the buccaneers in a civil manner,
and beyond that must wait for Pradey's disclosure.
What that might be we hazarded some guesses about,
but, of course, could resolve nothing certain.

We rested for a little, and then had the curiosity
to go back to the deck, finding, however, nothing of
moment happening. Pradey had managed to step a
kind of jury sprit-topmast, and we were driving
along very fairly, still holding the Pilanca well in
sight, but now without much hope, as I thought, of
catching her. She had come a bit nearer the wind,
it seemed, and this alone fearfully handicapped us,
forcing us, as it did, to a great, r use of our make-
shift spritsail.

We did not specially avoid Pradey, and, indeed,
secretly hoped that he would be out with his commu-
nication, so that we could tell what to depend upon,
but somewhat to our disappointment he made no
sign. We talked a little, but guardedly with the
crew, explaining briefly, in answer to their questions,
how our adventure occurred, but going into nothing
of moment.

The rest of the afternoon passed, and at supper
time there was no important change in the situation.
The Black Eagle, as our ship was named, very nearly
held her own, but carrying fully as much canvas for-
ward as the present wind and her weak, patched-up
mast warranted. Supper was served both below and
on deck, and we chose ours in the latter place, our
mess-tub being shared in common with an English-
man, two Swedes, and a negro. The Englishman
was a short, broad, strong young fellow, rather well-
favoured, except that his nose was broken, and not

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

145

ill-natured, though shocking in all his discourse.
His name— for aught I know, not the true one— he
gave to us as Paul Cradde. I think he was the most
profane man I ever saw, scarce a word coming out
but it must be driven home with an oath, and all his
thoughts were on the wicKed and especially the lewd
things he had done and meant to do. To be just to
the others of the mess, they were quieter, and noth-
ing so offensive, though their thoughts might have
been black enough.

We found the fare very good— far beyond what
it would be on any merchant t^hip, and certainly

better than it was or is in the royal navy, and

everything washed down with plenty of wine and ale.

The meal over, we lounged about the deck, and
finally repaired to the midships weather rail, which
we overhung, watching the chase and talking.
Pradey at last took in all but his chief sails, the
wind now seriously threatening the weak forward
spars, and the canvas there was shortened in propor-
tion. It seemed to us now that he must have given
up all hope of overhauling the Pilanca, but as yet he
made no move to change his course.

Evening came, and by that time the Pilanca had
edged more to the west. In fact, she now had the
wind but a few points abaft the beam. Presently
there was some indication of Pradey's purpose, for
he stirred nothing to imitate the other's movement,
and we easily guessed that he had given over the
chase.

The moon rose, and we continued to hang about
that part of the deck. All about us the lights of the
men's pipes sprang up, and the scene was like a

146

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

bivouac, with the groups of recumbent figures and
the glancing of arms.

Only a small number of persons, as I found, were
appointed for a watch. The rest idled about or went
below as they pleased. As yet :here was no particu-
lar disorder among them, and no fighting or notice-
able drunkenness.

As the moon rose higher, the sea came out in a
glitter, giving a faint, white toss of crests in the
broad moon road, and elsewhere fetching out little
more than the regular roll and upheave, while there
was gradually cut a clearer i.nd more distinct rim
around the eastern sea-line. In the southwest were
the white, glistening sails of the Pilanca, now to ap-
pearances not over two or three miles away, but in
reality twice that, and otherwise all about was a clear
seaboard.

We were together at the rail, talking in subdued
voices, and, what with the poor captain's death and
the things that had happened to us, to a certain de-
gree fallen into a little melancholy, when Mr. Tym's
name was spoken, and we turned tu b( ^lold Pradey.

"Well, sir," said the rascal in an amicable voice,
"I trust you and your friends here find yourselves
in better spirits than you were. I have a bit of
leisure at this time, and if you are ready we will have
the discourse I spoke of."

We were quite willing to hear him, and readily
said so, and he bade us follow him to the cabin.

At last it seemed that we might resolve some-
thing definite out of all this tangle.

MASTER ARDICK, DUCCANEER.

147

CHAPTER XV.

OF THE BARGAIN WITH I'RADEY,

TFiE cabin was vacant, as we discovered by the
aid of the single small lamp. Pradey signed us to
seats on the lockers, and himself took a place at the
end of the table, with his back to his own stateroom.
A sword hung on a nail hard by, and as he had a
pistol in his belt I surmised that he intended to
guard against a surprise. As we had dropped our
swords when we left the ship, and our pistols had
been wet and were not yet in order, I conceived that
he was well enough secured in his purpose.

"I do not purpose to waste time in boxing the
compass," he began as soon as we were seated, "but
will be at tue bottom of the business at once. You
see me in command of this tidy ship, and I will in-
form you, if you do not know, that she belongs to
Captain Henry Morgan's tleet of special commis-
sioners. Now I conceive I need not spin out an ar-
gument to convince you that your future must de-
pend upon my friendship."

He paused, as though expecting some sort of
reply, and Mr. Tym said briefly.

" And if so, what then ? "

"Why, then," he went on a little sharply, "it be-
hooves you to do all in your power to please me, and
move me to further kindness. Look you ! I have
little cause to love you, and yet, on easy conditions,
I will overlook all. Say that you will join me, and
swear to reveal nothing of the old matters, and I

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148

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

will pardon the ill you have done me, and stand your
friend. In this offer I include your companion, nho,
I presume, is posted as to our past relations."

I can not say that I hail conceived anything like
this, and yet I was not struck with very great sur-
prise. It seemed pretty evident that Pradey could
not so well dispose of us as to win us over, if that
might be. His crew, though desperate enough, did
not precisely sail under the black Hag, and to butcher
us in cold blood would make a very stirring bit of
talk that would be like to trouble him in the future.
If Morgan indeed held a royal commission, then his
deeds, and those of his captains, must not be alto-
gether lawless, and he must not have too much blood
of his own countrymen on his hands. Provided that
Pradey had found a way to silence the fellows trom
the Industry, he had only to win us over, and he
might return even to England in safety. But as to
complying with his proposition, that was another
matter, and one which had more sides than I could
turn about and come to a decision on in a moment.
Nor did Mr. Tym, bold and resolute as he was, at-
tempt a full and conclusive answer. He glanced at
Mac Ivrach and me, and, finding that we wore doubt-
ful expressions, made, for him, a very cautious reply.
" We have heard you, Master Pradey," he said,
"and while I, speaking for myself, hesitate not to
reject one part of your proposition— to wit, that we
should join your ship's company— still there are
other points in the matter that require thought."

"Well, I will not press you," said Pradey rather
mildly, " and you may have till morning for the an-
swer. As to the matter of joining this especial ship,

MASTER ARDICK, BUCrANEER.

I care not whether you do so or take service on some
other. I lost three men by the Pihinca's cannonade,
and would take some little pride in returning with
the luimber good, but that is the limit of the matter.
What would serve my turn would be to bring to
Morgan's service three good men, and especially to
secure a person of your talents, Mr. Tym, for there
is a dearth of such, as I am free to confess."

" That manner of talk is wasted," said Mr. Tym
coldly. " Should we decide to join Captain Morgan,
it would not be to win renown in fighting, but rather
to assure our passage home, as well as to strike a
few fair blows in avenging the death of poor Captain
Sellinger."

" Captain Morgan would not stay to question
your motives so you struck the blows you speak of,"
answered Pradey. " But fail not to remember," he
added with a significant look, " that all this is to be
brought about for a consideration. I shall not suffer
you to have the sole end of the bargain."

"We apprehend you," said Mr. Tym briefly.

" Meanwhile," said I, thinking it a good time to
settle one point, "be pleased to tell us how it came
about that we find you here ? Also what has become
of your companions ? " •

"Why, that is a short story," said Pradey with
one of his cold grins. " The night of the day we left
you it fell quite dark, and the watch having fortified
his courage with spirits, suffered himself to fall asleep,
and a ship coming up ran us down. Some were killed
outright and others drowned, and in the end I was
the only one saved. The ship was a buccaneer, one
of those cruisers sent out by Morgan, and was so un-

P-'*.

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150

MASTER ARDICK, HUCCANKKR.

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fortunate as to have just lost her captain. He had
been killed in a wrangle with the first lieutenant, and
the latter had then been shot in turn by one of the
crew. As no person was left aboard who understood
navigation, and as I made no scruple to put myself
forward, I was soon chosen captain, and when this
was settled we stood away to rejoin the fleet. We
shortly came up with it, when Captain Moi an was
pleased to confirm me in my place. About this time
news was received of the sailing of the Pilanca, with
the Governor of Panama on board, and while most
of the squadron stood for St. Catherine's, three of us
were despatched to intercept the don. I was the only
one fated to fall in with him, and it seems that I have
come rather disastrously off. I think you now have
the whole story, unless it be that I forgot to tell
Morgan and the rest quite all that had formerly hap-
pened to me, but spun a yarn about my ship taking
fire and we poor creatures barely whipping off at
short notice, the others miserably perishing."

"Well, sir, I thank you for the story," said I,
" and, in truth, I am sorry for the poor sailors, par-
ticularly for Lewson."

"And now," he said, "you might give me, in re-
ttirn, an account of your own faring. Surely, when
I looked over the rail to-day and saw your flmiliar
faces I was not a little astonished."

" As were we to see you," said I, " but, after all, it
was a simple matter"; and with this I went on and
related our story.

"At least there are those that are not born to be
be drowned," he said laughing, " my worthy self in-
cluded. Well, go now and think over the other mat-

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

151

par-

ter. Let me know when you have come to a reso-
lution."

We took ourselves off accordingly, and returned
to the deck.

" Let us go into tiie top " said Mr. Tym aside,
"where we can be sure of privac; " and as the of-
ficer of the watch seemed t ) be indn jrent we climbed
into the main shrouds anu sv/ung ;nto the opening
in the barricade.

•'Well, friends," said Mr. Tym, as soon as we
were secure in our places, "what think you of all we
have heard ? "

Mac Ivrach looked at me to answer, and with a
little hesitation I said :

♦' But for the matter of covering the rogue's crime
I should be for accepting his terms, I should count
it no such dreadful thing to join the buccaneers,
though once, I admit, I thought otherwise, and this
sentiment is stronger since the death of the poor
captain."

Mr. Tym nodded. "Aye, that is my reasoning,"
he said. " Moreover, it seems that Morgan does
really bear a commission from the King. Pradey, as
well as all before, speaks very confidently of it ; so
we may be pretty sure of the legality of the thing.
But the villain's old offence— that is the stick ! "

Here Mac Ivrach, who had been giving close heed,
put in a word :

" Is there no a middle course ? I tak' it the man
micht listen to a bit compromise."

" As what ? " said I. " Remember that he doubt-
less has in mind to secure a rich plunder, and then
return to England. Else he would either murder us

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152

MASTER ARDICK. BUCCANEER.

iN'

, 1 ■
M I

now, risking the consequences, or would give no heed
to us at all, not caring what we did."

" Aweel," said the cook, scratching his head, "and
granting that be sae, he maun still mak' the best o'
the hale situation. If it's neither streek our craigs
nor cut our thrapples, he maun deal his best wi' liv-
ing men. I hae no muckle contrivance, but I wad be
thinking there suld be a term."

"Well, maybe there is wit in that," said Mr. Tym,
brightening a little. " He would not murder us, as
you say, and so must make the best terms he can.
And yet, it would not be safe to put much strain
upon him. We know he is a desperate rascal, and
void of any manner of conscience. But to the idea.
Prick up your wits, Ardick. What would be some
feasible compromise ? "

I had been thinking fast since the Scotchman
spoke.

'• I can not say," I replied ; " I have nothing clear,

and yet Stay! How as to a compromise in time?

Say we would agree— under this stress— to cover the
villainy for a period ? "

"I distrust it," said Mr. Tym, shaking his head.
"Besides, Pradey would n^ver consent."

"But there is more to the matter," I went on,
coming to a clearer conception of the thought my-
self as I talked. " As you say, he is desperate and
void of all conscience. Could we trust him, in any
case ? "

"Why, no," he answered, a little perplexed ; "but
what then?"

" Will he trust us, in turn ? The base are always
suspicious. Think you not he will seek to make

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

153

'way with us, pledge ourselves as we may? Then
why would he not agree to the compromise ? Say
we would swear to be secret till the end of the ex-
pedition ? He would consent, I think, meaning to
destroy us at the first opportunity."

" In truth, there is weight in what you say," said
Mr. Tym, beginning to waver. - Aye, doubtless you
have the rights of it," he added almost immediately
" Let us try it, then, for I think we are like to do no
better. What say you, Mac Ivrach ? "

" It's a gude plan," said the cook, «'sae the auld
villain will consent."

' ''Let us test it," I said. " Nothing is to be gained
by waiting."

My companions agreed, and we accordingly went
below and sought Pradey. He was on the quarter-
decic, and went aside with us, upon which Mr. Tym
made the proposition.

The fellow heard it with contracted brows and a
lowering look. Instead of answering at once he
took a turn across the deck, stopping a moment at
the other rail, and bowing his head, as in thought.
Presently he returned, his look less harsh and the
lines of his sunken mouth relaxed.

"Now here is a shrewd trick of bargaining," he
began. "How you must have overhauled your
brains to compass it ! You would make a compact
to last to a dot as long as your necks are in danger.
Well, well, it may be all that I could have expected
of you and I will not balk at it. Let us fetch the
matter to a head, then. You will swear to me to im-
r -t nothing whatever of the matters concerning the
mutiny, neither to Morgan nor to any person, till

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154

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

U .

such a time as you shall take ship for England. In
return I shall do you no harm, and shall recommend
you for places in Morgan's company or some other.
Is this as you would have it ?"

"Why, yes," said Mr. Tym, who looked a little
surprised at the ease of the victory. " You ratify
this, friends ? "

Mac Ivrach and I promptly assented.
" And you swear accordingly ?" went on Pradey,
" We do," the three of us replied.
"As do I, for my part," he said with a satisfied
nod. " You are now safe, and I am free of my com-
plications. Thus all ends well." '
He smiled blandly, and I supposed the interview
was over, but Mr, Tym, it seemed, would have a
question.

" What is our present destination ? " he inquired.
"Chagre," replied Pradey promptly; "but first I
will run a bit to the eastward," he added, " hoping to
fall in with a homeward-bound Spaniard. Such a
one might deem it a favourable time to slip out of
some Cuban port."

Mr. Tym thanked him for the information, and
we returned to our own parts of the ship.

" It is clea- " said I, as soon as we had withdrawn
a little and could exchange a word in private, " that
Pradey has fetched around, as we guessed. He has
tied our tongues for the present, and before they
shall be loosed again means to stop them forever."

" Aye, 'tis so, indeed," replied Mr. Tym, " and we
must henceforth be on our guard. He is dangerous
to the limit of his ability."

It was now well into the evening, and as we had

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

155

settled our plans and were weary we gave over
further discussion and went below. We took the
precaution to secure the door leading aft, and ob-
tained from the broken-nosed Cradde ammunition
wherewith to recharge our pistols. This done, we
threw off our coats and shoes, and I, for my part,
was speedily asleep.

had

CHAPTER XVI.

OF THE BRAVE NEWS AT CHAGRE.

We awoke the next morning much refreshed, and
likewise in improved spirits. Our mates of the s'teer-
age were all on deck, and ve had an opportunity
for a little comforting talk. Taking everything into
account, our prospects were not, after all, so^'very
bad. The main question was how to outwit the
treacherous and dangerous Pradey.

When we reached the deck we found the ship
making but a small headway, the wind having much
declined. Indeed, it soon fell to a calm. We looked
vainly for the Pilanca, for she had clean dropped us,
nor was any other bit of canvas in sight. Well to
the south the seaboard was broken, for there we
made out what must be land, and on inquiry were
told it was one of the northernmost of the Windward
Islands. Our course was now due west, and Lieu-
tenant Phibbert told us we were to continue till we
raised Cuba. If we fell in with no prize by that
time, he said, we should stand directly for Chagre.

It was not long before even the light breeze died
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156

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

away and we had a dead calm. The ship lifted and
sank on the swell, and the bright sun, coming out of
a thin haze, poured down with fierce heat. After a
while this changed, a dark cloud rose to windward,
and we had a sharp squall. All this was true trop.
ical weather, and was such as we might expect for
some time to come. It certainly prolonged the
period of our strain and uncertainty, and for that
cause was decidedly unwelcome. At last we picked
up a northeasterly wind again, and held it till the
night of the second day, when it once more failed
us. All this time we had raised no sail, and the men
were becoming restless and discontented. They had
prolonged the cruise to the limit of their desires,
and on the morning of the third day a knot of them
went to Pradey and besought him to fetch without
more ado for Chagre. We were now to th north-
west of Hispaniola, and so could not imr.ediately
stand south, but after a little hesitation Pradey de-
cided to humour them, and as soon as we had cleaisd
tne land did so, and w^e fetched through the passage
between Hispaniola and Cuba. At last we stood to
accomplish something of a definite nature, and my
companions and I were proportionally rejoiced.

We had an easy voyage across the Caribbean,
and finally made the landfall of the Isthmus. All
was now stir and excitement, for we could not say
how matters had gone, nor whether Morgan anT h
fleet were here before us. It was appio ici.a.'.
nightfall as we drew in, and it would be h Ik ru
matter to determine much without standing danger-
ously near, but Pradey did not flinch. The wind
was almost from the north, but he coolly held his

MS ,

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER. j^^

course, taking a desperado's chance of getting out
again, and so the Black Eagle drove down till we
were within range of the glass.

My companions and I (now all armed, and each
furnished with a serviceable cuirass) stood near the
break of the quarter-deck, and watched with eager-
ness the motions of the lookouts. One fellow was
as high as the fore-topgallant yard, and another a
httle below. The first had a glass.

Presently this fellow hailed the deck.

" What do you see ? " bawled Pradey.
^^ ''There are .even or eight ships," was the answer,
and all lying well in by the castle."

*' Are they big ? "

" It might be that half are of the size of this and
the rest less."

" Do you make out much of the castle and the
surroundings.?" inquired Pradf '.

"It looks like a strong ,,iace," answered the
sailor. "It tops the hill, and there is some other
work at the foot."

Pradey talked a little with Phibbert. Presently
he went up to see for himself. At the masthead he
stopped and levelled his glass.

"There springs up a light," I said, pointing to
the now fast-rising crest of the hill.

As I spoke two or three more glimmers appeared
but lower down. The short tropic sunset was novv
over, and comparative darkness was at hand We
stirred not tack nor sheet, but held sturdily on and
at last the outlines of the castle were clear to the
unassisted eye.

First Pradey and then the lookouts came down,

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MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

and Phibbert went aft. and he and the captain t;ilked
briefly together. The wind now abated a little as
the light failed, and our speed pr,;)!)ortionally slack-
ened.

"I fear he stands fair to fall wAo i trap," said
I uneasily to my companions. "Will iie tlul hold
on .? "

"I ihink nor. much farther," said Mr. Tym, but
he spoke with no great tone of confidence.

A half mile, it night be more, and th«. ri Pradey
called Phibbert and gave an order.

The lieutenant leaped upon a gun.

" Ready at the braces ! " he roared.

The men rushed to obey. The captain then
signed to the helmsman, and as soon as he had
shouted " Helm's a-lee ! " the lieutenant followed with
the other orders, and the ship rode gracefully round.
At the right moment the yards were ordered, and
speedily we were sawing up and down, very com-
fortably hove to.

This was a relief to me, for I could not guess
where the audacity of Pradey might carry him, and
I had no mind to fall again into Spanish hands.

"I think he will drift in for a little," said Mr.
Tym, " for the wind and some sort of current, or the
tide, are moving us quite briskly, and if we then dis-
cover nothing he will stand out again and send a
boat."

This proved to be the very thing that Pr;. had
in mind. We : Ivanced quite steadib' anc' percep-
tibly, and the -' ^^ c outreach of the Ian- ' ff here
and there with its twinklings, grew m^: . and more

distinct. The ships, too, seemed to ha"

ung out

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

'59

Tiding l.ghts, and these glimmered from the compara-
tive obscurity at the foot of the hill. But now this
manoeuvre, too, was growing dangerous, and again
1 hoped the audacious Pradey would not carry his
hardihood too far. Already I feared he might not
be able to claw off should sudden need ari.e

"Ah, look yonner!" exclaimed Mac Ivrach sud-
denly. He pointed to a spot a little to the east of
the hdl. There, in a kind of clear space brought
out by a glinting streak of the failing light, I saw a
small boat. It was moving seaward, and was already
nearly abreast of the ship.

"^Ve should tell the captain," I said. "Maybe
that wdl be what he seeks."

" Vera weel," answered the cook.
He stepped toward the poop accordingly, but at
that moment Pradey himself made the discovery

"Boat!" he sang out, wheeling sharply round
' Master Phibbert, get way on the ship ! "

"A fisher," said an old buccaneer near me. "It
is the very chance the captain was tarrying for."

It seemed so, indeed, and again I began to think
I had underrated Pradey's sagacity. In a moment
the ship was ready to come about.
The head sheets were let go.
^* Raise tacks and sheets ! " shouted Pradey.
The braces were handled in their turn, and the
forward yards came round.

" Haul aft the main sheet ! " cried Pradey again
I glanced toward the boat. I thought she had
taken the alarm, for no she was showing a narrow
rake of her side, as though she had begun to make
for the shore.

( '

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MASTER ARDICK, UUCCANEER.

\.i''

The other orders were quickly completed. The
ship's head rode gallantly round, and she was laid
fairly for the chase. The wind was too light for
much speed, and as the boat had a good start and
her haven was near the result must at first be
doubtful.

"I'll have her if I ground the ship," growled
Pradey. He hung over the rail as he spoke and
pulled a pistol from his belt.

But at this point the fellows in the boat seemed
to lose heart. They shouted something and their
little sail collapsed. As we drove down upon them
I made out three men, all half naked, and, as well
as I could tell in the obscurity, Indians or negroes.

" Boat ahoy ! " shouted Pradey. He spoke in
Spanish.

"Board the ship! " bawled back one of the men.

" I am going to luff. Fetch up by me."

" Yes, senor," answered the same voice.

As the ship came into the wind the boat ap-
proached the quarter.

"What news ashore?" asked Pradey hurriedly.

"Why, senor, the English have taken the castle,"
answered the man.

At this we all broke into a great shout,

"The governor and many soldiers were killed,"
went on the man, " and all of us poor people terribly
frightened."

" Enough ! " cried Pradey impatiently. " To the
braces, men ! Master Phibbert, lay our course for
the castle."

The blackamoors hastily shook out their sail and
stood away, and we came upon the other tack. De-

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

i6i

spite the confidence with which Pradey seemed to
proceed I could not but await the conclusion of the
business with a little anxiety. After all, it might be
a trap. The men, indeed, hushed the loudness of
their talk, and w- drove on toward the glimmering
castle in something like a hush of suspense

CHAPTER XVII.

OF THlxN'GS ASHORE.

At last Pradey gave the word, and once more
the Black Eagle was fetched into the wind. A cable
had been prepared to slip, and one of the anchors
was immediately let go. Sail was clewed up but not
furled, and when ammunition had been served out
to the men and all the cannon prepared for instant
use we were in case either to fight or to fly. We
were near enough to the castle by this time, so that
a shot from one of its heavy guns might reach us,
but otherwise there was no present risk.

Everything had been managed as quietly as pos-
sible, and there was no hint, from any sign on "hore,
that we had been perceived.

Pradey spoke to the first lieutenant, and one of
the quarter boats was lowered.

" Take her, lieutenant, pick two men for a crew
and see what yor can learn," said Pradey briefly. '

"Aye, aye, .ir," answered Phibbert.

"If all IS well fire two successive pistol shots- if
we have been cheated, one," pursued Pradey.

Phibbert again assented, and hastily picked out

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MASJ'EK ARDICK. BUCCANKER.

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I •

, his men and got away. We watched them anxiously
as long as we could see them, which was only a few
moments, as they speedily c mcieU uie shadows of
the liver's mouth and under the dark foot of the
mountain. It was again a time of strained waiting,
but not for long, as, much before I was expecting
anytliing, a sharp report, and then another came out
of the obscurity.

The men broke into a tremendous cheer, and in-
stantly the decks awoke to life. The question was
settled. The castle was ours.

Every one was speedily in ';he shrouds or hang-
ing over the bulwarks, so eager were all to get tht
first word of the news,

A light came lifting and sinking toward us, and
we perceived Ihat Phibbert had set off a lanthorn.
Pradey thereupon hung two answering lig-hts over
the stern. In a moment we made out the dusky
shape of the boat and the indisHnct, swaying figures
of the men at t'; • oars Then he light shot up, aiid
we saw Phibbert v.n his feet holding it,

"A — 11 — s well ! " he cried as the boat broke out
into our light. " The castle is ours."

Then the men thundered out into another cheer,
and several excitable ones cut tv, > or three steps of
a dance,

Phibbert and his boaf' n me gaily up the
side, a lid were immediatelv bes. . with a multitude
of questions. The very moderate discipline lat
prevailed on board was quite overridden for the
instant,

" Belay jaw tackle, will you ? You shall have it
all in a moment," protested the lieutenant. "Come,

MASTER ARDICK. BUCCANEKR. ,53

this isn't shipshape/' he went on. " Back with you !
Clear the quarter-deck."

With some growling and swearing, but all done
with no heat, the men at last obeyed.

" Now, sir," said I'hibbert, turning to Pradey and
touching his head.nece, " I have the honour to report.
Captain Hrodely, with three I idred men, holds the
castle. The governor and most of his command are
dead, and we have captured above fifty cannon, si.x
or eight pipes of muskets, the value of four or five
thousand pounds in treasure, and a goodly store of
provisions."

" E.xcellent ! " cried Pradey in high good humour.
" And St. Catherine's } Since Brodely is here, I trow
the chief remained there— which is to say. he took
it?"

"He d'd, indeed, sir," answered Phibbert, " but
he is not a way to remain there long. Brodely
has despatcned the news to him, and he must soon
come."

" By what means did you learn all this } "
"Very easily, sir. We had scarce entered t!
mouth of the river when I descried the bulk of a
little ship, which I made up to, and at once found to
be the Tempest. You know she was De Bouvard's
vessel. I thought that settled it, but to be sure I
slipped a little nearer, and was thereupon hailed.
The voice was English, and I made bold to answer.
Of course, that led to a confab when I found the
man was old Simon Tidings. He let me at once into
all that had happened, and w bile we were talking De
i3ouvard himself came on deck. On discovering
what was up, and that you lay out here, he was much

ifin

164

MASTEP ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

T-T

"■

pleased, and bade me say that you must wait till
morning as the river is not fit to be entered in the
night, but that he would himself come off at daylight
and pilot you in. There are some hidden rocks, it
seems, a little within the entrance."

«' I should have ventured it with the moonrise,"
said Pradey, " but now I will remain, and thanks to
him."

This happy conclusion of the matter relieved Mr.
Tym, Mac Ivrach, and me quite as much as it did the
rest of the ship's company. The fact is our personal
aims were not only thereby furthered, but we felt
some little patriotic pride as well. Lastly, we could
not forget that it was cowardly Spanish hands that
had run poor Captain Sellinger to the yardarm !

We did not wait for light the next morning, but
a little past three hastily dressed and came on deck.
The wind had hauled round, blowing very gently
now from the shore, and we caught the faint land
scents, sweet after the long voyage, and were well
pleased to part for a little with the salt, briny tang.
Presently the east yellowed and the sea began to
glitter, and as we turned landward a light fog or
vapour split away and the embattled top of the
mountain broke through.

The morning watch began to wash down the
decks, as usual, but with many delays and long looks
at the shore, and while they were still at work first
one, and then another of the watch below appeared,
Pradey and Phibbert soon came out, and by the time
the sun had his rim fairly above the water three-
fourths of the whole company were 01. deck.

The remaining vapours about the mountain and

MASTER ARDICK, DUCCANKER.

165

river's mouth speedily broke up, and long before the
sea had lighted to blue the entire stretch of shore
was revealed.

It seemed to me nothing was ever more delightful
to a sea-wearied eye. The tropical forest in all its
muigled greens ran north and south from the mouth
of the river, and on the southern river bank rose the
dark, abrupt head of the wood-patched and bastioned
mountain. The top of the peak was cleft, as I might
say, hke a bishop's mitre, and set in both points, as
well as below, were the handsome jewels of two-
score unmasked guns. To be more literal in the
description, the castle stood on both heights of the
crowning rocks, cannon being placed at all com-
manding points, and below was first a strong little
fort and then a large bastion, each served with sev-
eral pieces. The whole had been defended with pali-
sades and an earthwork, but these were now nearly
in ruins.

As for the river itself, that was no great affair—
not very wide and not overdeep, moreover obstructed
in places with rocks and ledges. The mountain came
moderately down to it, and there \\ as a small jetty
where little boats could land, but the mountain on
the other sides dropped down in an almost sheer
pitch. Around on the western side seemed to be a
little bight, or basin, for we could see several masts
sticking up. The Tempest and a few barges were
anchored farther out, and fully in sight.

We had barely come by a good idea of the place
when there was a stir about the Tempest, and pres-
ently a boat dangled down from the davits, and
three men entered it and began to come at a'good

i66

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEP:R.

' s

pace toward us. Some little time before she was
nigh the man in the stern sheets was recognised by
several about me as Captain De Bouvard. He
proved to be a tall, lean, strong Frenchman, in age I
should say fifty, and quite merry though intrepid in
his expression. He shone in well-polished pot hel-
met and body-armour, and his jack-boots were fresh-
ly blacked and his weapons excellently ordered.

He and Pradey met like old friends, and for a
time high broken English rose above all other
sounds. After the cup had passed and things could
come to a business footing, he renewed his offer to
pilot us into the river, and this Pradey was, of course,
ready to accept. Not to dwell needlessly on details,
he brought us safely in, towing us with a barge, after
one tack, and soon had us anchored in the little rear-
ward cove.

While we were fetching by the castle men ran out
to look at us, and, the news soon spreading, the ram-
parts were presently shining with armoured figures,
who gave us a hearty cheer of welcome. We found
other ships in the berth, lying just in the river edge
of it, and their decks were also speedily manned and
a volley of questions and congratulations poured
out.

Pradey answered all briefly but good-naturedly,
but meanwhile gave his chief attention to De Bou-
vard, from whom he was learning the chief facts of
the sieofe and taking of the castle. It seemed that
the place was defended by above three hundred
Spaniards, not counting servants and slaves, and
that a most stubborn fight was made. Captain
Brodely began the attack with a force of four hun-

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

167

dred, but at noon on the third day, when the corps du
gardvf^s finally carried, his available command num-
bered only two hundred and thirty. The Spaniards
were nearly all killed, the resolute old governor with
the rest, and the unhurt remnant managed to descend
on the steep landward side and escape. The wounded
and the greater part of the women were left behind.
This was all concluded about noon, two days since,
and word had forthwith been sent to Morgan.

Such, in brief, was the account De Eouvard gave
us of this daring but wicked piece of business; and
though I could not but recoil at the baser parts, yet
such was my anger against the Spaniards, and withal
my pride in English valour, that I was elated and
glad as well.

As soon as we were at our berth and all put in
order Pradey called for the gig and was set ashore.

He was gone somewhat less than an hour, and
when he returned rejoiced us all with the news that
^■e could have shore leave. Secure as the ship was,
It was deemed unnecessary to reserve a guard, so
that Pradey himself, with the steward, were the only
^ ones finally left behind.

It was a gladsome sensation when I finally stepped
out upon the solid quay, and I think that Mr. Tym
and xMac Ivrach were in accord wifh me. The morn-
ing was not yet far advanced, and it was but moder-
ately warm, the air was pure and the sky nearly
cloudless, and before us was the dark, strong moun-
tain, almost fetching the eye to a little giddiness and
yet pleasantly steadfast, while breaking away to the
right was the refreshing green of the forest.

We made no talk for a bit, the others of the crew

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MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

pushing speedily on and leaving us, and it was
only when the last of them were disappearing in
the gateway of the lower forts that we finally
started on.

Above this fort was communication by a steep
path with a still more complete defence, good walls
and bastions being here, and finally was the sharp,
sudden rise of the great rock itself. At this point
we could not but wonder at the desperate valour of
Brodely's men, for from here to the summit the only
regular ascent was by a flight of narrow, rock-hewn
stairs, and the chancfe for placing scaling ladders was
of the worst and riskiest. Yet up here they had won
their way, and the fragments of some of the ladders,
and more than that — a stain of blood here and there
— still remained as witnesses to it !

At the top of the stairs was a large, square build-
ing that we afterward found was designed to hold
military stores, and from here a straight walk led to
a narrow, deep chasm, the castle itself lying on the
other side. There had been a bridge here, but the
Spaniards, in their final defence, had destroyed it,
and in its place was now a rude affair of planks partly
supported by guys. On the other side was a kind of '
barbican, and then the wall of the castle proper. The
structure was of no great size, rising merely in a
small tower or keep, and thence stretching out in two
short, low wings. By this time the sun was pouring
down fiercely, and, as we had explored the greater
part of the place, we concluded to seek a more com-
fortable spot, and accordingly descended the hill
again. The excursion had afforded us much pleasure,
besides letting us into the knowledge of things that

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

169

it was profitable for us to know. More than all, per-
haps, it gave us the assurance of the desperate and
seemingly resistless valour of our present comrades.

CHAPTER XVIII.

OF THE COMING OF MORGAN AND THE DEPARTURE

FOR PANAMA.

It was not long after we had returned to the bot-
tom of the hill that we met five or six of the garrison,
and with them a sturdy middle-aged man, who turned
out to be the hero of the late battle, Captain Brodely.
He was busy just then in giving some orders about
the strenj'.hening of the breastworks, and we merely
got a short nod from him in exchange for our salute
though this proved to be but the beginning of our
acquamtance. I can now compass the events of two
weeks or more into a very brief space. My com-
panions and I passed most of the time ashore, and
though we did not seem to slight our shipmates,
took care to have as little of their rough and unac-
ceptable company as possible. After a while Captain
Brodely sent for us, having heard something of our
adventures, and we passed a really pleasant hour in
his free-and-easy but rather interesting company. In
particular, I was a little inclined to him because he
made considerable of Mr. Tym, treating him with a
good deal of respect, though all in his bluff, sailor
fashion.

But these small things soon passed out of our
thoughts, for one morning Captain Morgan's fleet

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MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

was sighted. In a moment there was the liveliest
sort of stir and excitement. Flags were taken from
the ships and hoisted on the castle and forts, and the
guns were made ready to fire salutes. Every one
furbished up his arm.^' and harness, and the ships
were cleaned and made trig. At first the wind was
contrary, but finally one craft, and then another beat
its way in, and before nightfall all had fetched the
mouth of the river. Here a rather serious mis-
fortune happened, for, what with our rejoicing and
their own pleasure and tumult, the people of the first
four of the ships steered uj^on the dangerous sunken
rock, and their crafts were wrecked. The north
wind coming on to blow com.pleted the mishap, and
it was only by considerable exertion that all the men
and contents of the ships were landed, the vessels
themselves being hopelessly wrecked. At last Cap-
tain Morgan himself stepped on shore, having till
now stuck to his ship, and at once our men broke
out in a great cheer, and, rushing down, caught him
up and placed him on their shoulders and bore him
up to the castle. I was near as they passed, and had
an excellent chance to observe the looks of this re-
nowned but fierce and unscrupulous man.

He seemed about the middle stature, or ^ little
more, and in figure was strongly but not bulkily
made. His features were rather comely, but his eyes
were large and had a look of bold interrogation, and
about his mouth were two deep creases, like a fowl's
lucky bone, giving him a grim and altogether fear-
some regard. He wore but little beard, his mous-
tachios being spiked out with wax, which made him
appear fiercer still, besides exposing his thick, firm-

MASTER ARDICK, liUCCANEt R. ,j,,

thl «'!d.r^f ';" f * '"'^ ""^ '^™^''='' ''-="^. "posing
the «,dth of h.sface, and fell behind upon his gorget

H s d ess was I,ke tl,at of the other cl,ief bnccaneer '
onlj h,s armour was of a more fanciful pattern a Td

n h,s headp,ece was a short pl„n,e. , L wa" con

...ualiy laughing and passing bails and sal "at ot
as he was borne on, but I could not make his con

enance look the milder for that, but, on tl e ° „"
trary ,t was almost the more terrifying as be n/2
out of ..s usual and natural expression ^ '

My companions and I fell into the wake f the
crowd and continued on to the castle, where at ht
the pantmg and shouting buccaneers .Z M
down A^ fK^ • "'■i'-^dneers set Morcfan

down. At the same tm,e a final salute of all the
cannon about the place was let off. Morgan re
moved h,s headpiece, giving a nourish of ack„ow '
edgraent, and in a few words thanked the companv
for th,s cordial display and assurance of confid cT
H s vo,ce was strong and smooth, and he spoke with
tead,ness and correctness, by this giving me a good
mpress,on of his parts, though I had previously sup-
posed h,m rather ill-schooled. When this was o«r
he took Captan, Brodely aside, and they talked Lr

am and they went nUo the tower, the rest of us

wSre rt:r '--' --' ^" ---^-^ ^---

There was nothir g more of note done that day,
and I saw no more of Morgan, though I was once o
Wice aganr on the mountain. In the mornhg order
ere g,ven to build up the barricades, and al the
c cu-s were mustered and set to work. We found he
ch.efsdc.,gn was to make this a strong place, t a

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172

M/vSTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

we might have a haven of refuge in case things went
wrong at Panama. Mr. Tym and I fell to work with
the rest, and with the men singing and laughing —
for with the coming of Morgan all were very light-
hearted — the palisades were presently re-erected and
banked. It was now that I saw for the first time
some of our prisoners — I mean the men — for they
were presently brought out of the castle and made
to work with us. I pitied the poor wretches, so
hopeless and terror-stricken did they look ; but I
must say, to the credit of the buccaneers, that I saw
no mentionable abuse, only a few being cursed or
shouted at as they did something amiss.

By the end of the next day we had the place in a
very fair posture for defence, whereupon Morgan
had us knock off, only continuing the prisoners in
some concluding things, and preparation was forth-
with made for the great expedition. There were at
this time in the river some small Spanish vessels,
named, I think, chatten, and these, with the four
little ships that had been there at first, Morgan
fetched up close to the quays and armed with can-
non. The object was to strengthen that approach
to the castle. A fleet of canoes that likewise had
been captured, together with the greater part of our
boats, were then brought up to the main quay, and
when five hundred men had been told off to garrison
the castle and one hundred and fifty more left on the
ships, we entered the boats and the gun was fired for
starting. Captain Brodely was still left to keep San
Lorenzo, as the castle was called, and looked a bit
rueful as he saw the rest of us so gaily setting forth.
Little did he know what was to happen to us, or

MASTER ARDICK. BUCCANEER. ^^

not to cover thp wl r , ' ^"^"^ """ "f^ "ere
must be simear. %""'-" "^^ »••>'-. »s there

suffidency on the way 0,717 lu ' '" """ "

hlncfe UM , ^iuinpeters Liovving- merrv

tt r't °'" ""= "' «°'"S -" - started up
My companions and I were still in Pro.i. •

CHAPTER XIX.
OP THE r„,^.os WE e.vbukeb .„,,, we camb to

THE EVE OF BATTLE.

That day nothing; of snerinl n^f^ i
\Vp -,!! o-r-.n -• , J^peciai note happened

greenery, after so long dwelling about the sea,

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i;4

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

and for a time the men sang and laughed and splashed
their hands in the water like so many joyous chil-
dren. Anon we entered into deeper recesses, where
the great vine-hung trees almost met overhead, and
where the dark mosses trailed from the branches in
long festoons and little pools glistened under the
arches. Now and then a serpent, or some unknown
creature, would whip off a slimy log and drop with
an abrupt plump into the water. At other times we
glided out into beautiful lakelike openings, where
the water flowed over bright sandy shoals and the
borders were brilliant with scarlet and purple pas-
sion flowers.

That day we made only six leagues, and then, as
the men complained of the crippling of their legs
consequent upon so long crouching in the boats,
Morgan gave the order to land, the place being an
attractive little savanna with a bend of the forest
all about.

As soon as we had brought the arms ashore and
established camp Morgan sent a force of fifty men
to spy about and find, if possible, some stores of
grain or cattle, for now our provisions were nearly
exhausted. The men went out accordingly, but re-
turned soon, saying they could find nothing. A few
shepherds' huts were discovered, but these were ab-
solutely empty, and seemed some little time aban-
doned. Here, for the first time, the men's enthusiasm
received a check, and the song and laughter came to
an end. They ate their few remaining provisions in
silence, and, after smoking a while, wrapped them-
selves sullenly in their cloaks and lay down. My
companions and I had wisely reserved some of our

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

supper, so we were better off than the others, but
already began to Hnd the situation rather depressing
Ihe next morning we boarded the boats and
pushed on, and came that n.ght to a place called
Cruz de Juan Gallego. Here were more deserted
huts, likewise stripped bare, and here also we found
we must abandon the boats, for the water had of a
sudden fallen very low. There were also great trees
lying in the stream, some doubtless felled there of a
purpose I have omitted to state that Morgan had
taken three of the prisoners along to serve as guides
and these now told us of a place about two leagued
farther along, where the country would be good to
continue by land. Morgan thereupon left one hun-
dred and sixty men to defend the boats and to serve
as a reserve force, and the rest of us formed up on
shore. i ^^i

The woods were now dense and the marching
con grew so bad that Morgan made us halt, and

lain '. T '''' "^'' '" ^^P^^"'^ ^-^^^d to'take
again to the canoes, sending along a few hundred

men at a time, and this, though with great labour, was

done, and the reserve force then being brough; up

we were once more .11 together. The fourth day a

great part of us marched by land, being faint with

hunger, but finding a few wild fruits, of which at

hZf T ^^°' r '"''" "°' ^"^^ ^^'^^^^her they w'ere
harmful or not), we partook. That day we were
nearly exhausted, Mac Ivrach being compelled to
abide altogether in one of the canoes, but at night-
al we found some huts containing sevc^ral empty
■eathern bags, and these we desperately cur n pieces,
and, having removed the hair, boiled, pcunded, and

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MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

\IW>

cut them in small biis, were only too glad to make
our supper of them.

The fifth day, by great good fortune, we lighted
on some provisions. It was at a little village called
Barbacoa, and here, in a concealed grot, we found
two sacks of meal, a few measures of wheat, certain
fruits called platanoes and two great jars of wine.
These were absolute salvation to us, who must other-
wise have soon perished. The next day we came
upon two or three ambuscades, but none manned,
and toward night our scouts discovered a small party
of Indians. These our fellows tried to take, but
were not nimble enough, and three of our party were
wounded in 1. nc attempt. Luckily we presently found
a storehou, V in which was some maize, and this re-
freshed u'- I v.- that time. All this while Captain Mor-
gan showed [^!vat patience with the prisoner-guides,
notwithstanding that all had not fallen out as they
said, but I think he perceived that even indifferent
guides were better than none at all, and so had some
wise mercy. Our men were now sullen or murmur-
ing, for the greater part, though some showed forti-
tude. Mr. Tym, in particular, allowed no word of
discontent to escape him, though more than once he
was in great straits to keep on his legs. Nor would
he avail himself, except as his turn came, with the
boats, though, considering his age, the rest of the
company would not have complained had he done
so. This fortitude gained him considerable praise,
and several of the men spoke kindly on his account
to me, though I confess I did not continue as he did,
wholly without murmuring.

On the morning of the seventh day our guides

MASTER ARDKK. liUCCANEER, ,

comforted us declaring that we must shortly fall
upon better U,ck. as we were near a village caled
truz where ,t was searce probable that every t,
t.ge of „od was destroyed. We pushed on ,1
by t ,s d.scourse, and at „„n„ eame upon , „" '
but to our sorrow it had been set on Hre and '
was ht.le left but ashes, , iowever, b; i g:' t , ' e"
we found a secret place where ivefe some jars of
wme and a sack of bread, and these we pounced

pTe?/'u : ''• '"r "^'^ ''"' "'^ merest':'::

apiece. It was not many minutes before several of

de";;; si troV't'r "■^^°" '"-^ •"= «-'' ^^-

oraerea state of their stomachs, but at (Irsf „•.
thought the wine was poisoned. O i„„„i y ^TLl,
we were now twenty-si.x Spanish Icag es from a,a

greater part of the journey was done. That dav w,
discharged, cleaned, and reloaded our firearms bein^
P~d that we must ere long coineTpr;s:m^

At this place the river had fallen so low that even
■he smallest canoe had to be given up, and ^031

wer! hm'i '"'' ' ""'^ '"='^"« '"^ secreted Afew

were hidden near by.

weal'but'fn'!: "T'"'' "■' '''" ^'^^g"^" ^'ong,

I , '"",'",'' '"""" way determined, and now in

deed, we had some fighting, for we came upol' an

dian ambuscade. Even our guides were deceived

and we were in the midst of the danger befo e wl'

perceived it. We had entered a grea? wood whe e

.he dense tops of the trees made it almost dark and

were plodding along about ten or twelve abrel^Iat

many as the path admitted of-when sudden "ome

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IMAGE EVALUATION
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Photographic

Sciences
Corporation

23 WFST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716) 872-4503

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178

xMASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

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undergrowth crackled and in an instant a great whis-
tling storm of arrows broke upon us. Several men
were wounded, and those in advance instantly charged
the bush. It was at first in vain, for the concealed
archers fired another volley and swiftly made off.
Then presently a great screech went up, and froni a
little mountain, which here rose a bit one side, ran
down as many as five hundred half-naked savages.

New strength seemed to come to us, for here was
a tangible foe at last, and we made a savage charge,
the sharp swords and loaded pistols of those in ad-
vance speedily breaking the ranks of the poorly-
armed natives. They were brave, nevertheless, and
did not retire even then, but a pistol ball presently
brought down their chief, and then at last they fled.
I took part in none of this fighting, as my place
was in the middle of the command, while only the
first ranks were engaged.

We lost eight men killed and ten wounded, which
showed how fiercely the savages fought.

That night there was a heavy rain, and we had
some ado to keep our arms dry, but the next morn-
ing the sun came out and we once more plodded on.
But now the terrible strain was nearly over. On
the ninth day our guides showed us a little moun-
tain, which having ascended, behold there lay the
South Sea! We were even able to make out some
ships which must have sailed freshly from Panama.
Going down from this mountain into a vale, what
was our joy to find a considerable herd of cattle!
These were attacked as though we had been a p.xk
of wolves, and after slaying all we could we cut
off the flesh in great flakes, and, having pitched it

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANKER. ,-

ir"lediir',''"""'',"^'='' ''■■"*■ " °"' '••"' ™«"=J ^nd
g cechly levoured .t. It wa. a sight to startle one

CO see the haif-starved wretches at their repast

rhey gaawed and grunted, and between times l,rol<e

"u .n laughter, the biood running down their hands

a..d stan^ng their garments to the waist. As to m v!

self and my companions, particularly Mr. Tym it ,,

but fa,r to say we behaved somewhat less like b^a t

wa°s'?o' :"'";"'■ "" '••'^•' "' ""•" ^"--''. -"" flesh
^as to us of u sweetness and deliciousne.ss beyond
words of mine to describe! ':.)o"'-i

Greatly refreshed and now in heart again we
pushed on and, having ascended a considerable 'hi 1
beheld a last the steeples of Panama, At ;hat t '
men broke into Joyous shouts, as though t e c ,y
were a ready ours, and the drummers beg'n to beat
and the trumpeters to blast. We had scarce made
th.s dm when there was a noise of hoofs, and a litHe
company of Spaniards appeared on the opposite hil
-he distance was short, and we distinctly heard their
threats as they broke out savagely a, us

Je-nsf „os ?■«■««,./•• they cried-" Ye do^s "
that IS, " we shall soon meet y» '" ^ '

loped'V"'^ ""' ^'"°' "■^■'''^■^'^ - - -'" «"1-
" We will go into camp now," said Morgan coolly
Jo.morrow we shall have to test these gentlemen's

sinc^t^he^r '" "" ' ?"'■ ""= '^'""^ ' had heard
Mnce the beginning of the terrible march and im-
mediately broke ranks.

Mr. Tym touched me, on the arm and asked in a

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MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

whisper whether I would not like to take a little
scout with him.

"I am minded to steal as far as yonder hill," he
said, "whence we must plainly see the city. Our
videttes are quite a little beyond, and I think will
not perceive un."

I was ready for just such an adventure, and,
watching our chance, we stole out of the camp.
Morgan had given stringent orders against strag-
gling, but on this occasion we thought the law might
well be relaxed a little. At least we were ready to
take the risk.

We slipped along in the concealment of some low
trees, and in a short time ascended the opposite hill.
Here, though not in the precise spot, we had seen
the horsemen.

Truly enough, as we reached the elevation and
rose to our feet, the' city, together with the bay, the
islands, and all to the horizon beyond '^roke upon
our sight.

We stood in silence a moment, regarding the
beautiful picture.

As we did so a bell began to ring and a gun was
fired, and presently the city seemed to awake to a
sharp stir. In a short time in what we thought must
be the chief square, or plazr. a bright fire blazed up.

" They are at least busy," said Mr. Tym coolly.
"I opine we shall have our hands full, if we win to-
morrow."

We began to retrace our steps, and in the end got
unobservedly back into camp.

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

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CHAPTER XX.

OF THE OPENING OF THE iiATTI.E.

I SLEPT but ill, and that not only because mv
mmd was excited but because in the nfght he SpaT
ards fetched some cannon out of the c"be: n

al^eVbuTa lUtle'^"""","^' '''' ad/ance'd'S
bu onlv r \ ''"^ ""''"^ """^ «^ ^h^ ^hot hurt us,

ne sat up and watched the commotion of the shot
among the trees. Nothing was said and he soon a '
down aga.n, but it was some time before his breath
■ng .nd.cated that he was asleep. We had nut o,"

.etd,,„g out a weapon here and there vfith'a sUve^y

till T ff "f ''" '■*' '"''> "'°"Sh I had not believed so

y comrades beginning to stir about It ^v^<

cheerless, the men not talking much and no fires yet

I was quickly up and Afr T,-«, j n^r
whow ,„a^,/,J-„^-an0.c^ ,

was heaxd of me cannon firin- -ind T <;„=,. . ^ .,
the enpmv Ko^ a- "''"i" ana 1 suspected that

enemy had discovered how ineffectual their

182

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

efforts were and had retreated again into the city.
This, indeed, I soon found was the case. Morgan
presently appeared, the sentries were reUeved and a
•hasty breakfast eaten. It was now quite a bit hghter
and objects around began to take on their natural
look. My courage, a little dampened before, began
to rise, and I think many of the men felt likewise,
for the talk speedily grew louder, and there was
more stirring about and some laughter. Arms were
now examined, and none too soon, for the word
speedily came to form. By this time a fair gleam
of the sun had succeeded the eastern reddening, and
we began to catch the faint noises from the awaken-
ing city,

" There are many there who did not sleep well,
either," . said to myself, "and with good reason!
Alas, poor people, this will be a dreadful day for
you ! " I was already catching the confident spirit
of my companions, though as yet partaking of none
of their dreadful desires and bloodthirstiness.

We were speedily in order, and every captain
went to the head of his company. Morgan looked
in a satisfied way along the lines and drew his sword.
At that moment he seemed to have lost a little
colour, but his bearing was bold and steady. He
pointed toward the hill, and, with the loud word
" Forward ! " led us into the road.

It seemed but a moment before we were over the
rise and marching down into the little plain. There,
to the no small stirring of my pulse, were drawn up
the Spanish forces.

I thought there must be three thousand of them.
The greater part were foot, but on each flank was a

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER. jg^

considerable body of horse. Their arms and an-
ponuments seemed of the best description, the^
cuirasses and hehnets, in particular, g/eami g ik
pools of water with every movement. I saw the
great flag of Spain near the middle of the main body

standards, fne whole force was drawn up close to
a m le fort or castle, the city itself being here un^
NN ailed, and only a short space on their right was an
earthwork mounted with Ave or six cannon

At least, I thought, we have our work cut out I
greatly doubt if we can overcome such a stLg

This I found was the opinion of many others for
a kind of growl of apprehension ran around '

''Halt!" cried Morgan sharply. The men were
only too g,aa to Obey '^ Listen, comrades," he ::::
on You fear yonder gang, but without reason
1 hey are not what they look. I will be sworn not a
score of them could carry half a glass of wine to
heir hps without spilling it. They tremble. Thev
know us. Stand firm, then ! "

This talk put the men in some heart, but still
they seemed in no hurry to advance. Morgan spoke
o one of the captains and the man stepped to the
front and ran his eye along the line. He then '
rapidly selected from the different companies fifty
men, and these he ordered to stand forward I im-
mediately perceived that every one chosen was an
expert shot.

"You will make forward and begin the battle "
said Morgan coolly to this little group. '' Tut three
paces between every man and fire with caie. The

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1 84

MASTER ARDICK. nUCCANEER.

n I

rest of you look about and you will perceive that
the ground is soft, so that yonder horse can not
charge to advantage."

It was as he said. The ground on both sides of
the broad road was a meadow, and in places were
quags and miry spots. It was clear that we had but
to stand firm to repel the horse.

Morgan gave us no more time for reflection. The
captain with his sharpshooters set forward, and the
rest of us were brought into a new formation so as
best to repel an attack. To compass this we were
made to form a long square with double lines all
facing outward, and a few little cannon were placed
m front and rear. This done, we had an opportunity
to watch the progress of our advance company.

They spread out, as Morgan had commanded the
wmgs thus brought well abroad into the meadow
and so trudged sturdily along. '

Some paces on they went, the .enemy making no
movement to stay them, and then of a sudden one
of the bands of horse trotted into the road, and at
the blast of a trumpet broke forward at a swift
gallop.

I almost held my breath, as did I am sure mv

companions. Down thundered the horse They de

ployed right and left, and were almost upon our men

Then the cool buccaneers lifted their guns, and

following the roar I saw the foremost of the riders

flash out of their saddles. There was a pulling ud

and rearing and plunging of frightened animals, and

a most before I could realize it the entire remainder

of the troop had reined about and were thundering

back whence they came.

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER. ,3-

^ We broke into a frantic cheer, and by a common
■mpulse the entire square surged forward

" ^^^"^ ^"' Morgixn ! " thundered Paul Cradde- "we
can wipe those fellows off the earth • "

"Not yetr shouted Morgan, his face now red

a^jaugh. M\e must repel another charge or two

And so it proved. There was a little confusion
.n he Spanish ranks, as the Hying riders rode b ck
and wheeled to regain their old station, and then an
other trumpet sounded and the entire body o foot
moved forward. ^

"Stand fast ! " said Morgan in deep tones.

The enemy came on slowly, and of a sudden
stopped. The line of guns glittered, and instantly
everything was confused in flame and smoke. As it
cleared away I saw half a score of our advance fel-
lows down and the others running at full speed to-
ward us. No one in the main body, as far as I cc 6
see, was hurt.

On the Spaniards came, their flanks expanding
and their horse circling out into the meadow fnf
flash the whole army seemed to be inclosing us

with .r"^"^ ^' T'^ '° "^y '"'"^ '^ I ^0"'d describe
VMth clearness and precision what followed. Unfor-
tunately It is beyond my power. It was all a whirl
and a maze of figures and the puffing in and break-
ing of clouds of smoke, and beyond that little but
some clattering of swords and guns and much jos-
tling about I was not in the front rank, and could
only step this way and that, as my companions ad-
vanced or retreated, and beyond once discharging

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186

MASTKR AKDRK, BUCCANEER.

my gun did no actual fighting. It was soon over,
and I saw that the enemy had broken.

"After them, and take some prisoners!" I^forgan
roared.

I was immediately left in a little clear space
with only Mr. Tym and Mac Ivrach near at hand'
The others had made a dash after the flying
Spaniards.

My two companions, like myself, were unhurt
In this respect they were more fortunate than twenty
or so of our mates. Nine or ten of these were killed
outright, and the others were doubled up with pain
or sitting about bloody and bewildered.

The smoke gradually thinned out, and I looked
toward the city. I saw the Spaniards slowly but
doggedly retreating, stopping at intervals to wheel
and fire a desultory volley. Our advance men were
at their heels, but did not pursue far, for, having
taken five or six prisoners, they let go a parting shot
or two and returned.

Morgan put on a stern look and fell to question-
ing the captives thus brought in. He had but indif-
ferent command of Spanish, but, with the assistance
of one of the captains, finally managed to learn what
he desired. The first man was a coward, and was
only too glad to tell all he knew. It appeared that
the Spanish force consisted of four troops of horse
and twenty-four of foot, besides a few hundred In-
dians and negroes. The whole numbered about three
thousand. There were several strong forts or cas-
tles guarding all the outer parts of the city, but the
greater number and the strongest were on this side
Morgan then closely questioned the man as to whether

MASTER ARIJKK, BUCCANEER.

18;

any decoy or amb„sl, had l,een prepared, or any des-
erate .r,ck conceived. The n,an .'nswercd no"; but
that the governor wns for making a stubborn risist-
ance never surrendering the city. Furthermore, we
might e.M,ect a more resolute attacl< than either of
the former, and that a new danger in it would be tl e

half-w.ld cattle. These were now inclosed in a com
... the rear of the neighbouring castle and would b
ient out m advance of the charge.

Morgan then questioned another prisoner and
thot,gh he got no such free answers as from the fir t

"as true 1 h,s he believed the readier that the sec
ond sold.ercast great looks of contempt uporthe
fi s. a„u ,h,3 „, ,„, ^^^^^^ ^,^_^^ ^^^ the feiloTbeen
deceiving us. uccu

Morgan now harrangued us briefly, saying that
v,c ory was assuredly within our reach and tha we

had but to put forth one more effort' to set
Th,s speech bemg well received, he left a guard of

two hundred with the ,nded, and also to fct as a

reserve, and led the tost to the attack. Mr Tym

ing pa™ ' ■"'■"" """ '"''""'' '" ""^ --'"-'

\Ve marched directly toward the enemy and it

once received their fire, losing ten or twelve'i'n k'led

1 ang to the nght, and we, wheeling after him he
Id us almost a, a run from the road into the mead!
ov I .mmed.a.ely perceived what he would do

vh, h was to avo.d the forts and this strong front of
the town and attack a weaker place. To effect thi

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i88

MASTFR AKDkK, RUCfANEER.

he had feigned to make an assault, thereby holding
the main force of the enemy where it was.

It was soft footing, and we ran rather heavily,
but still we were making some progress when the foe
trained their cannon on us, and though we were in
loose formation they brought down well-nigh a
score. Their musketeers also made forward and
fired, and before we had proceeded twenty yards
farther it seemed that not fewer than a hundred
buccaneers were either slain or wounded.

This could not last. The enemy was having it
all his own way, and unless we could turn upon him
soon he would lay us all dead or drive us off the
field. A man in front of me swung out and fell side-
wise on the grass. A ball struck the stock of Mac
Ivrach's musket, and as I turned my head to make
sure that Mr. Tyni was safe I felt a sharp, spiteful
rap on my own headpiece.

Paul Cradde wp-j ?> little way on my right, and he
had begun to swear when a shout went up from
those in front and with great suddenness the whole
command came to a halt. I saw three or four of the
captains running out into the field, and in a moment
their several commands were following them, and
now we were wheeled short and faced toward the
city.

A sort of growl of relief and satisfaction went
round, for at last this playing at living targets was
over. We looked to our priming and brought for-
ward our bandoliers.

" None too soon," said Mr. Tym to me, " for here
come the bulls."

I tiirned my head, and there, indeed, were these

III

masti;r ardick. nuccANErR. ,o

t-rned .he herd and headed I'Z llav "'""" '""

Morgan seemed to be reidv f..r V\ •
One.f hi. lieutenants rand" ':,:;;;:f '

::<.:r'r-.e'\:s:r^^'^-r'"— -

tha I awa cd ti, , , "'""'"■'^'•^'^Be. I confess

in.of.,eX:t:d':::hr,:^::trj,:'''r--

of formation I .as brought into thr..:^ t k '""^"

1 he herd thundered down. The front m,,c7 ,
numbered two hundred, and thdrT ss"'
horns, fur,„us bellowing, and the pounding of if
hoofs made their advance seem tr„ 7 °f '"eir
>;.-adey .uffered them to c^ne'^t^hire'^. ,a"d
then gave the word. We fired nnrl u.f , ^

^ad fair,, lifted the piL::^;::L^tL-^;

i hrough the breaking cloud we presentlys^w t ,e
glancmg horns of a score or two of the l.n,r u
behind them no. a hundred of'^Hferd" The "Iherl'

turned back. Then our pikemen made a dash fl,.
charging bulls pulled up short tossed th '

Whirled, and in less thaL .i^^te 1 t^i^:^

"ttrui?.;;:::-^ ''- ^--^ ^^^ ^- - --

^Ve set up a shout, and proceeded to recharge

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190

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

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our pieces. At once I saw Morgan walk a bit down
the lines and turn back, whereupon the trumpets
blew, and I perceived that the assault had been
ordered.

•' Keep close ! " cried Mr. Tym in my ear. ** This
will be the most desperate business of all."

"White arms and pieces of eight !" roared Paul
Cradde.

" Aye, aye ! " shouted a man near me.

The trumpets sounded a quicker note, and we
broke into a run.

I could glance between the heads in front of me
and see what sort of place we were approaching.
Five or six little huts stood out in front, some pad-
docks or cattle yards ran along in the rear, and still
back of these was a long, low stone building. The
flat roof of tills was mounted with cannon, and be-
hind the rails of the paddocks were the crouching fig-
ures of soldiers. A troop of horse was drawn up at
the right of the long building.

We lowered our heads and made straight for-
ward. Then the enemy's discharge broke, and men
went crashing down on all sides of me. Before the
smoke had lifted we returned the fire and were im-
mediately among the little huts. I threw down my
gun and drew my sword, and fetched a glance around
for Mr. Tym. He was not to be seen. Mac Ivrach
was a few paces away, and through the smoke were
some other familiar figures. I hesitated, being filled
with lively anxiety concerning the supercargo, and
while I delayed the last of my companions passed
on. I glanced hastily about, not really caring to be
abandoned, and at that moment felt a sudden and

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

191

Strange shock. I perceived that I had been hit, and
staggered toward a hut and leaned against it. Af-
ter a little interval, it seemed to me that I made out
the shape of a human figure breaking through the
smoke. I could see but dimly, but I thought the
man was Pradey,

'.[

CHAPT ^ . XXI.

OF THE CONCLUSION OF MY ADVENTURE AND THE

FALL OF THE CITY, LIKEWISE OF THE STRANGE

THING THAT HAPPENED THEREAFTER.

I MADE a kind of dreamlike effort to come back
to myself, and for an instant half succeeded. The
advancing figure came out plainer. I saw the face,
and it was indeed Pradey's. I struggled to keep it
steadily in view, but it insisted on swimming in with
the puffs of smoke, and as my giddiness increased it
lost all shape and outline. I must have slipped from
my position against the hut at this point, for things
gave a kind of upward flash, in particular, one object
danced out like a bright piece of steel, and then I
was conscious of a hard jolt and all was blackened
out.

The next that I am able to recall is a great sway-
ing and swinging sensation, followed by an abrupt
pause and then a little cold shock. I opened my
eyes and found a wet cloth on my forehead, the
ends hanging down on my cheeks. I put up my
hand and drew the cloth away. As I cleared my
eyes a figure close by stepped forward and I per-

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192

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

ceived with joy that it was Mr. Tym. He was in
his fighting gear, wanting only the headpiece, and
seemed to be quite unhurt. He smiled as I stared
up at him.

♦* You are safe, then ? " I said.
" To be sure, and you also. It was but a little
furrow turned along the skull, but might easily have
been serious. Nay, but you had best remain where
you are," he pursued as I would have risen. "There
IS some heat in your wound, and in this weather it
were easy to provoke fever."

I perceived the wisdom of this advice, and settled
back in my place. I glanced about, however, and
saw that I was in a shelter made of the rails of one
of the neighbouring paddocks covered with palm
thatch. By the brightness of the sun that came in
at the door and the oppressive heat I guessed that it
must be nigh noon.

My thoughts seemed now to fall into their
natural order, and I made haste to question him.

"How does it happen that 1 am here?" I said;
"and in what manner was I delivered from'
Pradey ? "

" I killed the villain," he answered quietly. "It
were best that you did not talk overmuch now," he
went on, " but to satisfy you I will say that I missed
you and turned back, and found you wounded, and
with Pradey making in upon you. I had scant time,
but fired, and was fortunate enough to send a ball
through his head. Then I dragged you a bit aside,
and presently was able to secure the aid of one of
the men, when we brought you hither."

This was great news, to be sure— in especial, the

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

193

part that related to Pradey— and I was content to
remain silent a moment and reflect upon it.

" Then that villain is gone ! Surely we have
reason to rejoice," I said at last. "But how think
you will the other buccaneers take it? Do they
know the manner of his death ? "

" Nay, and it were best that they should not,"
answered Mr. Tym, lowering his voice. " Let it seem
that he died in action."

"True," said I, "that will be wise. But now
what of the fortunes of the day ? It would seem
that we had won, but in what sort .? Have we taken
the city ? "

"Well, if you will talk," said he, shaking his head,
" I trow you may as well have the whole story. Aye,
we have beaten the enemy and taken the city!
Nevertheless, Morgan has, for a little, withdrawn,
fearing, as it is said, mines, poisoned water, and other
snares, but I think in reality not desiring to trust
the men. He will be for waiting till their blood is a
bit cooled and he can be sure of obedience."

"Well," said I a little wearily, and withal my
head fetching a pang, "tell me one other thing
and I am content. How has it gone with Mac
Ivrach ? "

" Not so much as scratched," he answered. " He
was here but a little time ago."

I was'glad to give over, with this, and lay for a
while quietly. Mr. Tym sat down in the door of the
hut and began to care for his arms, and I was on the
verge of falling asleep. Of a sudden there was a
far-off noise of shouting, followed by a long-drawn,
agonized scream.

fit:

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194 MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

"What," I cried, starting up, -has the fiends'
work begun already ? "

"It would seem so," he said with a siirh <' I
conceive they arc putting some poor creature to the
torture. Doubtless Morgan wu/have an early word
::™f.:---' -^^^- seeks to learn 0/ traps

foui'cTew I " l''' ?°'/'^'^ ''^^^ ''"^ -^ ^'1 his
toul crew! I cried in fiery indignation.

but^idlr '""'"''' ''' ''"^' '' ^^^"^h to assent,
Dui aid not answer. '

"I smell smoke, •• I said after a little. •' Will thev
be burnmg the town ? " ^

^^^He stc,>ped to the door of the hut and looked

" Nay, I think not, yet a building here and there
« burning Aye, one of the cathedrals is ablaze I
will try to learn what it means."

Here I heard some people hurrving past and Mr
Tym, gomg a little farther out, hailed them

I could not distinguish what they said but in a
moment he returned. ' ^

yet Zr'of r "° ° m"' '°' """'"«' ^° " '^ ^'^™ed.
ca hedra, . 'T'""^'^ "'"'^'"S^' '"^'"ding one

people of the town to fight the fire, and some of the
buocaneers have been detailed to lend aid "

served """'"' ""'"' "•°'"'™"' '''°"S" I ob-

-.tlyfngh"„';;"l'°'"" 'T "^ ''"^"-? of a few

space fr 1 h' =!"'"■"■"'■ " ■^'"^y ^'^ '■"" a short
space f,,„ here. Nay, they are nigh where I found

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER. j .

sea;cL"d'S;'or^ T:-rr' r ''""■ "^'' '•°" -^

cumeout, i iaici, mil, a long breath. "Vet
tell me-„ow near adjacent to the city are we -

answered' 'rfT "'t™ '"' '""'"^^^ ^'°«'." '-
answered. 1 he men have pulled the rails down

and converted them, as yon see, into frames or In

Pl.b^bert and the man I told yon of helped me'irrd

^ And as for you-tr.ly, how am I indebted to •

"Speak not of it," he said lightly. "lam in
debted to you also." >' l- -i am in-

I couuTar'the' ' T™""' '"" '" '"« """val

.hemho'4;rry :.:rrerf ''-' '--^

shrieks. ^ ''' '^^'^^' "o "lore

till Z"'^'"" ''^'' "°'" ''' ""■'^^^•^^^^- " H^ ^viii wait
till U.e morrow. Alas ! and I dread that time ' "

And how long will their hell's work last v- j
said despondently.

" 1 have heard guesses of two weeks and more "
he returned gravely. <. There is much wealth 'he

be brought to hght by. torture. You must fancv
your ears stopped, Ardick, and fetter your tongue

::ror r '^^ '"^^ ^^'-^■^^*^'^--"^^ - ^^^ -'

He heaved a sigh and began to pace uo and down
vhich showed how deeply he was moved though hi^
judgment told him it was to no purpose. ^^ ' "

■'r L
fi iu, i

r
If I

icj6 MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

I Sighed in response and fell silent, my spirits not
a little depressed.

Presently my companion made an effort to show
a more cheerful port, and began to talk about our
prospects of escape and the like, but though I tried
to bnghten to meet him I could not manage it, and
n the end we were fain to let the whole discourse
fail. He then said he would go out and pick up the
news, which he did being gone near half an hour

It seemed that Morgan continued to his resolu-
tion to withdraw his forces from the city till the next
day, this excepting only two or three companies that
should search for any concealed fighting men, and
should also seize and man the few ships in the har-

u\ .u ,' '"'' ""^ ^'' ^^"^'^and he meant to place
about the landward part of the city, guarding it that
none should escape. «. s at

All this, I may say m a word, was done. Little
resistance was offered to our searching party and
indeed it was soon found that the Governo'r' and
those of his captains who were unhurt as well as
many of the soldiers had incontinently fled. So my
vengeance and that of my companions on the
haughty Don Perez de Guzman must at least be

Shortly after Mr. Tym was back with this news
Mac Ivrach appeared, and I roused a little from my
depressed state, and returned the honest fellow's
hearty greeting. Mr. Tym had already acquainted

Pradey s death, and we held some discourse on this,
Mac Ivrach conceiving, as I did, that it was the
greatest piece of good fortune that could have be-

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER, ,

d™eVa„d''hf '"" °'"'" "^''"""Sh' ourselves of
dnmer, and he «ent away to fetch some, which he
present y d,d, and with this the unpleasa t cl,apte
of Pradey seen.ed to be closed. I was hungr e
than I thought, and such was the effect of the w ™

from Z d "" ^".'^ "°""^" "^=" ' P--""y "".™
from my depressed state, and in a short time had

regained much of my former courage and sladi

I remained in the hut during the day. Indeed
he heat was terrible, and it would have been a b d
for a fever for me to have ventured out. Now and
hen I went to the hut door, and thence ecu d s e
the men extend their l.nes so as to engirdle the ci y
but such was the fervour of the sun that the move!
men was performed slowly, and with a general mien
1 stiessness. At last it was completed, and then a
.t le company was to be seen at short intervals
ZXT/ "'"""^ """■""■ '"" ^' °"^ point Mor:

score in attendance. Mac Ivrach had been sum-
moned to take his place with the other guards, leav-
mg l,r. Tym and me together. Why this latter
arrangement was made we did not then learn

About nightfall Mac Ivrach returned, having been
reheved, and then we were told that Phibben had

«as to his good nature that we owed Mr. Tym's ex-
emption from guard duty. J m s ex

Night finally drew on and the watch-fires of the

present

♦

from the sea, flared

. by a wind
up with a landward slant, and

^'. I

y .!

198 MASTER AREICK. BUCCANEER.

the harbour there ivit n n ' , " ''"ection cf

f.e ship, a,ru doVM^:/. : :;;;:'-;,;;'■- '"^-I.ere

«•'"' i'""'-" lights. The ty U :' r" '''f

be heard ffall„pi„g"4'"t ,tr^ "' " ""'^^ =""'"

bell rang and we heard tte.t T'l' "'"' ""'' '

chant, a., i, might be the nrio! '""""^ "' "

ing mercy of God bt,t ,h "' """='"">' «»''-

coCntfar.btd rrt'h "-^^^ ^'""■"' -^ '"^
Breakfast was hast y e t n dlh""!'™ '"''"^■
for cookery but all t I. ,? ^'^ '"="'ff ""de

«us give,/ L cm : TV"""^ '^^ "°^''

le,ar„ed that Mor J^ ,\ , "'" "''^ ""^ ''^'1

uidi fliorgan s pian was to proceed fir«, ,„
the Governor's nstlo m,i ■ i'luLcea urst to

m„ e castle, making a stern show of wir

tt:i:r™.:;t--;;^-^«r\: i

■nrthatal, must deposit their spo "", f' 3,":;
the castle, wirere it should reraa n till t he fi a de
c.s.on another was that prisoners-that ■ s 3-
tl,em U ,"'' P'°P"''y "< ">-^ -1 o se zed

them the re ttTc °,ld dn""^' T'"' ' '"'"" '° -"

beguarded\an:^rirt:;uh:t%:::r"""'''

faiie, Tvhrar^st";::""" 7 "'" '"^ "-^^ ^^^
dow-ntheThi^u:: rortreir^tr^"™''

uie city. 1 he drums were

1 ' I

MASTER ARDICK, HUCCANEER. ,

beating spiritedly and the trumpets sounded thrilling
blasts, and with our soldierly array, the headpieces
cmrasses and musket barrels flashing in the sun i
thou^U^.^^

The place was deathly quiet. Every house was
closed, and as far as we could see dou.. the street
no a person was in sight. Still we travelled along
and at last just as I was wondering at the extent of
this part of the city, the street ended, and we broke
out into a considerable square, or plaza. Here the
bu.ld„.gs were large and of a more pretentious sort
than any we had yet seen. All were of stone, some
of a brown or reddish colour, and some of common
stone well set m red cement, but few were above
three stones m height. The roofs of all were flat
and most had low parapets, on which stood pot o^
br.ght flowers or handsome shrubs, and the walls o
some were nearly covered with climbing greenery
I.ke the street we had left, the plaza was'comp tely
deserted, the shutters of every building Tround'

\H°ots!"saidMacIvrachinalowtone,''but
ey hae secreted ilka dog and cat as well as'their-
sels wad be wishmg for a bit stir o' some sort.
SIC stillness no seems canny."

This I conceive pretty well expressed the feelings

Morgan had halted a moment, but presently had
us forward aga;„, and without any interruption or
ange m the appearance of things we continued o,
"" ''" "'^'^'^'^ '"^ '^^-^"e- T' •, was a considerable

200

MASTER ARDlCIv, BUCCANEER.

i ■ J

stone structure, standing on the top of a little nia

tower. 1 he walls were pierced at intervals for c-in
non, and on the side toward the water uMurh ,

ports in the wnllc ,.f *i ^ ^ ^- -^ "^

^' uie walls of the mam structure were all

closed, as was the stron;? gate and nnt /

'i«t this fear was unf': d u,' . .rirradV"'''

been g,ve„ to Morgan, and the guns spiked ^ '"
ine captams, at Jlorgan's command, went ud to

place, the different companies were formerl „n

the,r order, and the last words of ad ice and com

mand g.ven. Among other things, al were bidS n

to be spar.ng of the wine till it wa proven t a' i

vas not po,soned, to return to the cast e at nightfal

and to hasten thither at once if two successifel '

non shots were (ired. These were tn Z

sudden or imminent danger '"" '"""^

the picked de'taiU '"'"'"' '"' ""= ™"P""'". ^"^
uie picKea detail to remain w th Moro-m Ur^i

and shortly quitted the castle ^ ' '^^''"'""'^

** Whither now ? " I said to Mr t
I™chan,,,„„„,„„^^-^;;,M;.Tym,ashe,Mac

What say you todescending to the beach and

MASTER ARDICK, HUCCANEER.

And I, said Mac Ivrach.
But the words were scarce out of his monfh , .
a man ca.ne runnin, out of the open h^oHl „ th"
bour street and on seeing us pullL up' hlrt "'''•
daunts and angels defend us ' " cried \r.. t

CHAPTER XXII.

OP THE CO^CLL-SIO,, OK OUR G.EAT S«PK,SP AND
WHAT FOLLOWEB AT THE HEELS OF ,T

EvEK Mr, Tym changed colour, and for my part
my legs grew weak and my heart .ht,mped Uke a
fulhng hammer. ^ ^ ^

"Why friends, don't ye know me? Do ye take
me for a ghost ? " ^ ^'^^

It was the same old hearty, sea-rough voice that
TortalTeifT ^^^"^ '' ^^ ^ ^P^^^^ ^- thelln"

sCer'ahoT^ T''' ^^"^ ^^ ^a::^"th?:tr;
^Kipper about. I was next, and could qp-.,- t

back the tears as I grippei the bTbrJirha'::

202

MASTFR AKDICK, nUCCANF.rR.

Even Mac Ivrach grinned like a mcrry-andrcw and
cut one step of a cai)er as he took iiis turn.

" Hut, man," cried Mr. Tym. as we at last re-
leased the skipper and stood dcli^ditedly about him,
" how can this be ? Did we not see you hanged .'
Aye, dangling your length from the yardarm of the
Piianca? Why, we made out the very white shin
you have on— surely the only one among the crew!"
The captain first gave a stare of astonishment
and incredulity, and then broke into a low whistle.

"Aye, aye, I see how it was. It was the boat-
swain, Pedillo. Marry, I never thought of your tak-
ing him for me! Vou see the old Governor con-
ceived the notion that the fellow was more respon-
sible than anybody vjlse for our little break, and so
danced him up to the yard. I believe one of the
priests gave him a shirt, or frock, to be turned off in,
and so that was where you got your white tog. Aye,
aye, I understand the thing now."

And so, of course, did we, and it was simple
enough, to he sure.

He asked a question or two in turn, which we
answered, and then I went on to inquire how the
Spaniards used him after our escape.

"Why, not so bad," he answered, "My wound
was attended to, and then I was clapped in the brig.
When the ship reached Chagre I was set upon the
midships of a mule and brought here. Since then I
have lived in the house of— Faith ! but that reminds
•.-■:. I have run at my best speed hither, not alone
- :, ^^'-::l in your company, but because of another mat-
-^r of urge:; y. Will you come along with me and
make no stay for questions ? "

•^ts*^

MASTER ARDICK, ULUANrER.

203

•'Surely! "cried Mr. Tym without hesitation.
And Mac Ivrach and 1 said the same.
" I hen this way."

ile turned, and set off up the same street he had
emer,.ed from. I had, of course, not..ed h,s dress
and other appearance, ere this, and found that he
looked and was habited as formerly. He wis
armed now, however, being girded with a belt, [o
winch was hung a short hook-pistol and a Spanish

Our gait was almost a run, and as the captain
seemed to have no breath to spare, we did not break
-" w.th talk, but kept on silently in his wake. Anon
the street widened, and here we fetched alongside,
still, however, observing silence. Presently the cap-
ta.n turned into a little plaza beautifully shaded with
palm trees. Speeding across this, we fetched up at a
high stone wall, which I perceived must set off a con-
siderable estate. A little way along this wall was a
strong iron gate, the top defended by sharp spikes
1 he captain plucked a key out of his pocket with
wh.ch he unlocked this gate, and, urging us Lll in
before him, hastily locked it again. I now perceived
hat we were in an extensive garden, fruit and shade
trees standing thickly about and the walks bordered
with flowers. A little way in the rear I could partly
make out a handsome, low stone house. The captain
hurried us up the main walk, making no concealment
now of speed, and at a fair run we brought up be-
fore the door of the house. I perceived then that
the place wa« strong as well as handsome, the build-
ing being of some yellowish stone set off with a ca^e
tashio.. ot balconies in the Spanish style. The chief
14

204

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

entrance was directly before us, a step leading up to
It, and I noted that the door was a very strong affair
and in height and bigness was sufficient for a little
church. The captain knocked sharply twice, when
the door was slowly opened and an old negro put
out his head.

" All's well, Tonto. These are the friends I went
to seek,"

The old fellow looked at us a little suspiciously
I thought, but without objection stood aside.
"Any alarms, Tonto? "

" None, Senor Gile," said the old man in broken
English.

The hall within was all but dark, for the door at
the rear end was closed, and the only light descended
from the hall above.

"These quarters," said the captain, turning to us
"belong to Don Enrique de Cavodilla. You recall
him, I think."

We readily did so, for he was one of the gran-
dees of the Pilanca.

" Well," went on the captain, "he is— or has been
—my master, and, having used me very well I am
somewhat beholden to him. Yet even more I would
do a good turn to his wife, Dona Isabella, and to his
niece, the Senorita Carmen. You see now the rea-
son of my hurry."

"Surely," said Mr. Tym, "and we will gladly
help you." Mac Ivrach and I also heartily assented.

"I am free to say I know not how the thing is to
be managed," said the captain, sinking his tones a
little, "but that we will immediately consider. We
must first consult the don."

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER. 205

the head of the sta.rs. Even in the dim light I rec-
ognised him at once as the old Spaniard

He was a tall, spare, erect man, with plenty of
gray in his beard and hair, but in bearing still in his
strength and prime. He was dressed in the sad-
coloured velvet of the ship, with the ruffles and other
nnery.

"Go on, Ardick, and tell him how matters stand "
said Selhnger ; " I am still without a hold on the ras-
cally Spanish."

"Sir," I said accordingly, stepping to the foot
of the stairs, " Captain Sellinger is here and has
brought with him the friends he went out to
seek.

" God be praised ! " cried the old hidalgo with the
deepest heartiness. <' Sancta Maria, senor ! I never
heard sweeter words. Ascend, ascend, you and
your friends!" ' ^

I briefly translated the don's speech, and with
the captain in the lead we mounted the stairs

The old man met us at the top and somewhat to
my discomposure kissed each of us in turn

" You will save us ! " he cried. « You wHl deliver

Torth h r.l P°'' ''''•' "^y '''' '^ °f little
^vo th, but hey Ah, come with me, senores

ancUssure these poor creatures that you will succou;

"Lead on, senor," I said, not a little touched.
Be assured we will do what we can."
He lost no more time, but led us hastilv to a rear
chamber where he threw open the door. Two ladies
were within, who quickly rose.

tf.i

t '!

2o6

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

The shutters of the windows were open, for the
room looked only on an inclosed court, and the
bright sunlight, checked merely by the draperies,
brought out everything clearly.

I immediately recognised Dona Isabella, She
was small and slight, with a proud, handsome face,
but a faded skin, and was dressed richly with many
bright ribbons and ornaments. Dona Carmen was,
as I instantly perceived, passing beautiful. Some-
thing tall, and yet of such proportions that she scarce
seemed so, She all but startled me with the unusual
combination of yellow hair, great Spanish black eyes
— I mean those with the wonderful long lashes — a
skin Saxon-fair, nose, mouth, and chin delicate and
in exact harmony, and an expression vivacious and
to appearance intelligent. Her dress I hardly noted
at the time, but afterward I observed that it con-
sisted of a gown of sea-blue silk, a handsome laced
stomacher (higher and more modest than the sort
worn by our English ladies of fashion, yet stopping
not much short of the bust), and a white Hollands
petticoat set off with falbalas. Her hair she wore
high, as it were in little successive billows, but all
made fast at the top by two long gold pins.

Don Enrique now flourished us forward.

" Isabella, and you, poor Carmen, here are the
brave English friends of Captain Giles," he said.
" Take heart and thank the Virgin, for they have
come to deliver us ! "

Each lady in turn dropped a stately Spanish
courtesy, and with more resolution than I had
looked for, though, to be sure, unsteadily, thanked
us. Poor creatures, the colour was struck from their

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

207

faces, and their eyes looked pitifully big and ques-
tioning.

We all bowed low, and I said something, I know
not what, with the thought of heartening them. Yet
time was speeding apace, so that I immediately
turned back to my comrades.

" Well, what is to be done ?" said I.

The captain looked at Mr. Tym, and the latter,
after a moment's hesitation, said :

^ " Let us first understand our bearings, cap-
tain. What are the private ways out of this
place ? "

" By the gardens," answered Sellinger, ''and rear-
ward through a court to a narrow street. Thence it
is a straight course to the water."

" These gardens border upon what ? "

** Considerable streets."

"And the ships and boats have all been taken,
and our fellows will have an eye upon the water
front," said Mr. Tym, shaking his head. " That will
not do."

We were silent for a bit, I racking my brains to
hit upon something, when he suddenly resumed : "I
have a thought. What is to prevent us from claim-
ing these people as our slaves? That will be but
one each, which must be safe enough."

I thought he had hit it, and began to say that
nothing could be better.

But the captain shook his head. " I fear it will
not serve," he said. ''You must know that Don
Enrique and the ladies were yesterday chased and
well-nigh captured by a party of buccaneers, and I
can not doubt that the same fellows would know

I-

208

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

them again. Doubtless they would claim them, un-
der the usual freebooters' rule."

"Why, yes," admitted Mr. Tym reluctantly,
" since such are the facts."

My hopes were suddenly dashed, and I sighed
with disappointment.

" But why suld these callants see them ?" put in
Mac Ivrach. " Can we no hide them awa' ?"

"With difficulty," said Mr. Tym. "It might be
managed here, but when it came to the march all
must come out. Moreover, I doubt whether any
place or house would be suffered to remai. barred
against searching parties. It would be thought
some trick was going on, such as plunder hidden
away."

" Then," said the captain, " I see but one course
to steer. They must fly. The question is whither ?"
"Is there no secret chamber or secure nook on
the premises ? " I put in as a last possible idea.
The captain shook his head.

" None. A back wine cellar is the best, and that
I would not trust. Besides, the runaway servants
might betray it. The don did at first think to hide
in a little loft in the rear of one of his storehouses,
but afterward lost confidence in it and returned. It
was on the way thence that the buccaneers fell on
the party."

Mr. Tym puffed out his lips and took a turn
across the room.

"Was this assault before dark ?" he inquired.

"Aye, about four of the clock," answered the
captain.

" So that they must have been plainly seen. Yet

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER. 209

stay, were the women compelled to show their
faces ? "

"Aye, and they counted themselves lucky that
they got away with gowns to their backs," said the
captain. " They were just by the gate yonder when
four buccaneers whipped around from the next
street and fell upon them. The old don stood to
his arms and wounded the first man, and a Spanish
officer who was hiding in the neighbour house sallied
out and shot another. With that the remaining two
hauled their wind, and- I, hearing a racket, rushed
forth, followed by Tonto, whereupon they slowly
withdrew. In the fight they seriously wounded the
officer, for he scarce had strength to crawl into the
house again. The ladies' garments were torn in the
struggle, and Carmen was seized by the leader of the
villains and held for a little, till Don Enrique made
him release her. Even then he clung to her for a
bit with one hand while he fought with the other
Just then Tonto and I appeared, and none too soon
either." '

" Why, then, it is pretty certain that the ladies
would be identified, and no less that the house is
known," said Mr. Tym with a grave look. «' This is
more serious than I thought. Ardick," he went on
turning abruptly to me, " ask the don whether he
has conceived any plan."

I turned to Don Enrique and put the question.

"Sancta Maria! nothing worth naming," he re-
plied with a doleful shake of the head.

"Senor," interposed Dona Carmen, " it may be
that I have thought uf something. My house is on
the island of Taboga, which is out yonder in the

!■ .:

210

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

IS I (i

bay. Could we reach it we might hidr i a certain
wine cellar, which I am almost sure a few mo-
ments' labour would make secret. I had remained
and hidden in it, indeed, only I was persuaded the
city was safer. Could we but reach the water I
believe we could secure a boat, and so reach the
island."

" You are brave, senorita," I said, for I could
not help admiring this command of her wits at such
a time. "But I fear your plan would not serve.
For one thing, where would you obtain a boat ? Our
men must have seized them all."

She faltered a moment, but again her wonderful
dark eyes lighted, and she answered eagerly.

"But the fisher village? I conceive there must
be boats there. It is above half a league from here,
and I am sure your bands have not gone so far.
Moreover, it has nothing to tempt robbery. Ah,
could we but reach the village! "

"Why, so you shall, if the thing is to be mor-
tally compassed !" I cried in a burst of great pity
and compassion. "Stay a moment," I went on,
*'and I will take counsel with my comrades."

In the fewest words possible I repeated our talk
and stated her plan.

" I believe they might fetch out upon the beach,"
said Sellinger, " for, as I have told you, there is a
pretty quiet way to it, but the rub comes after-
ward."

"Captain," put in Mac Ivrach, who had been
quietly listening, "what think ye o' a disguise?
Clap the hale three into auld claes. pitting the women
in breeks, and daub a bi; o' smut on their faces.

i i

went on.

MASTER ARDICK. BUCCAxNEER.

211

Our laddies will hae their d
aboot wi' no sharp een.

I'op lang syne, and gae

Why, that is not so bad

brightening. -What say you Mr Tv

said the captaii

dick ?

ni and Ar-

It is at 1(

Ir.

IS at least something detinite," sai
"I am for trying it, on the whole." '

I agreed with him, and without more ado turned
to Don Enrique and the ladies and put the business
into Spanish.

They listened eagerly and lost no time in decid-
ing. Indeed, they barely took the words off mv
tongue ere they broke out in consent. But in fact
It was easy to see by their anxious looks and pale

anythii.g"' '''' "'"'" '"''''"'' '"""^^ ^°^ ^'^°^t

This was a great relief to us, for certainly we
had nothing left to turn to, unless it might be some

of rcct.^"""' ^"' ^'" '-'''' "° --'-^'^ hope
I saw the senora and the other incline their
heads a moment, as thou.' in prayer, and the don
murmured something nnder his heavy moustachios

h ayuia? Come, Isabella, mta, and you. Carmen let

u^not elay. Meanwhile. ...^.V' he Lid, turnil"

o us, ' you have our deepest gratitude. We go now

to make our preparations."

He waved his hand in his stately Spanish fashion

omitting nothing of the full dignity of it, and

with his companions passed out and descended the

stairs.

It seemed to be as well that we should follow and

i '

J Si

212 MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

take our stations in the hall below, and we proceeded
to do this, looking to our arms as we started, for we
knew not what rough business we might presently
be engaged in.

I think we were not two minutes off the stairs
when we heard a confused and swelling sound of
voices, and on unbarring one of the neighbour win-
dows I immediately detected the loud rough tones
of some of the buccaneers. They were approaching
the house, though as yet the high wall hid them
from view.

" The fellows are upon us," I called softly to the
others.

They hurried into the room and stood by my
shoulder.

There could be no mistake about it. The buc-
caneers were coming along by the wall and were
already close upon the gate. Where we stood the
trees cut off the view, but the sound was certain and
distinct.

" They will scarce give this place the slight who-
ever they are," said Mr. Tym. - Should they be the
same rascals that fell upon the don we must hear
speedily from them,"

" In that case they shall hear from us, also," said
the captain grimly.

"Hark!" I cried, ''they are already at the
gate ! "

This was indeed true, for now we could hear
their banging and bawling.

"It will be a bit before the gate vields," said Mr
Tym. "Pray Heaven they batter at it awhile, and
give our friends the better start ! "

MASTER ARDICK. BUCCANEER.

"But they will not long back and fill there " said
Sellmger. " If nobody opens thev u-iii k .

wail. IwishthedonUldbasteV

as t'h Jh'^ "'' '°T'"^' "' '"^^'" ^ «^i^> "^^'ch relieved
as the door mto the rearward rooms opened. '

ihe don, followed by the others came out and T
perceived they were ready. ' "'^ ^

CHAPTER XXIII.

OF THE FLIGHT Qv thf nrvM axt^

iHt DON AND HIS PARTv axtt^

THE DILEMMA THAT CAPTAIN TOWL!^;";;;/^
IN. I^IKEWISE OF A DREADFUL DISCOVERV.

This was the manner of their disguise- the nirl

waist and extending to the tone r^f ^ • ^

«-■ iig Lu lue tops ot a pair of rnnah

with utf V"" K °" f'^ "''' ^'^^ ^ «-" "^PP"'" fa
w.th the forebnm lopped down. His face and hands

:nthrh::rer''''^'"'^"^""''"'''--^--'e^

f.shTo*'n ''if- T", T'""^ '" " '™^^-''« ^^i'ar

boot, ?h J" u '"" ""'' ' '°"S ^°" =>"" heavy
boots (her sk.rts she had, of course, discarded) and

the rest of her visible dress consisted of an old c „

d;ieV;tnd"''\r " " '""' ""^- ^^^ ^^^ »- '-^

pa s for^ ''"; '"" '' =" «'^"" ">'t"" well

pass fo her proper hair. She had bedaubed her
face and hands and carried a fisher's spear As for

a 1^ nd of m,.ved garb, consisting of a high straw hat
a blue jacket, a long kni, vest, coarse hose and well-

214

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

worn jackboots. She had smutted her face and
hands, and carried over her shoulder a well-stuffed
bag, the seeming weight of which made her stoop a
little, so that her face was not cjuite revealed. Her
hat was luckily too big for her, whereby she wn.r able
to thrust it well down, and thus conceal the abun-
dance of her hair. To my thinking hers was the
poorest of the three disguises, as the jacket did not
fully hide the contours of her figure, and the vest
was too loose at the waist and too tight below.
However, whether good or bad, all must now go as
it was, and, indeed, nothing was expected except
that the business might serve at a .•,hort distance, or
closer, if the enemy happened to be drunk or care-
less. At best it was a desperate risk, but a desperate
chance was now all that remained. As for old
Tonto (who, of course, was to accompany the party),
he had no need of a disguise, and appeared in his
former dress.

" Have you concealed weapons, for emergency ?"
I hastily asked Don Enrique.

"Si," he replied briefly, with a sign toward his
breast.

"They must hasten," exclaimed Mr. Tym. "It
is a wonder our fellows are not already at the door.
Fetch a good look rearward, Ardick, to see that the
coast is clear, and after that no delay."

I was only too willing to obey, for the case in-
deed pressed, and with the single word " Come " to
the don, I flew to the rearward door and unbarred it.
A glance out showed no person in sight. A con-
siderable court, walled in on both sides, extended
to the little rearward street. From here it was the

MASTER ARDICK. BUCCANEER. ^K

fim^and most dangerous stage of the journey to the

';God reward you all ! " said the don, with a sign
of h,s hand .n farewell; and he stepped bravely out

a:fxt r ''°"^ '" ^'^^ '"°^ ^"^ •" - ^i'<-'"ce of

anxiety saw them pass down the court

Nothing as yet appeared, and presently they were
at the opening of the street. Another breath of sus'
pense and they had rounded the corner

th/pn?. ^^"""'T' ^''^'^''^^ compassed!" exclaimed
the captam with a great breath of relief

"It is, indeed, a good start," said Mr. Tym, him-
self giving over something of his anxious bearilig

sigh. In truth, they were not of the best "

'' There you are right," said the captain. "Yet
perhaps they will deceive drunken or careless eves'
Marry ! 'twas rare luck that the togs were at hand at"
all. The fisher suits were shed but yesterday by
^heir owners. They were two fellows that the d'on's
mon^e^ persuaded to put on headpieces and back-

But at this point we heard a loud shouting from
the front of the house. ^

"Ah our fellows are in," said Mr. Tym; and
forthw^^^^^^^^^^

Mr. Tym proved to be right. On openino- the
w.cket we saw one leaf of the gate open, an3 e
buccaneers crowding in. i , u me

fetrhll ""■'^''^ ^°" -'^ inquiringly at Mr. Tvm, and
fetched a gpod courageous breath, and Mac Ivrach

J«,.l,

2l6

MASTER ARDICK. HUCCANEKR.

and I saw to our weapons. Of course we had no
wish to fight, but we could not tell what our reckless
and angry comrades might attempt, and were resolved
to be prepared.

"We must parley with them," said Mr. Tym.
" All will gain time."

" Do you be spokesman," said the captain. " Here
they come, and well swollen with choler or I have no
eyes!"

He stepped aside, giving way to the supercargo,
and as he did so I heard the heavy slap of the ap-
proaching feet.

" The leader is that ferocious Towland," Mr. Tym
turned his head to say. As he did so the gang ap-
peared to halt, and the voice of the fierce captain
hailed us.

" Within, there ! How dare you hold thus against
us ? Open, or it will go very ill with you ! "

"And why say you so?" Mr. Tym immediately
put his face to the wicket and coolly answered.
" Have we not as good a right to the loot of this
place as you ? "

"Why, 'tis the little graybeard ! " cried one man ;
and at that they made a stir of their arms, letting
the butts of their guns fall, and there was a bit of
silence.

" We were not aware that our own people were in
possession," I heard Towland then in a surly and
vexed tone reply. " Nevertheless," he went on, " we
have the right to come in, so open the door."

"Why, look you," answered Mr. Tym— and I
could see by the wrinkling of his side face that he
was smiling—" I can not recall that there is any rule

MASTER ARDICK. BUCCANEER.

217

aga.nst boltrng and barring. Suppose one were in-
tent on the capture of a slave, for instance, must he
needs let everybody in while he is about it ? Slaves
you are aware, are not common spoil, as are goods'
and money." ^

"Nay, this is all idle talk and away from the pur-
pose said Towland impatiently. "Open the door
and be speedy about it, or the business will reach
further than words!"

"Let me at least confer with my friends " an-
swered Mr. Tym. still speaking moderately. "'l am
not alone in this matter."

" Speedy counsels, then." growled Towland " We
will not be put off."

"Well, friends," said Mr. Tym, facing about and
preserving his same voire and manner, '< what say
you ? You have heard Captain Towland's demand "
so 77.7 P-^t." said the captain, raising his voice
so that those outs.de could hear, "I desire a little
nme for deliberation. I would know my rights, and
It I am to lower my colours, wherefore "

" Aweel," said Mac Ivrach, speaking up in his turn.

in" blink." "'"''• ' "^'"^ ^°"^^ '° ^-'^^

put'in^^'''' '' ""^ '^''"^^'' likewise," I promptly

"You hear," said Mr. Tym, speaking again from
the wicket. " My companions are not clear of their
course. They would have a little time for reflection.
So, in truth, would I."

The fellows broke into murmurs of rage, and two
or three roundlv swore.

Look

you," cried Towland in a kind of despe

ra-

III:

i
t

218

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

tion, and yet with a certain measure of rough en-
treaty, as I thought, " we will not be cozened. We
have rights here. Nay, to come to the heart of the
matter, we want the old don and the women. We
pursued them yesterday, and but for a twist of luck
at the pinch would have had them. I myself all but
secured the young senorita. You will perceive, there-
fore, that we have the first right here, and, like sensi-
ble men, will abandon your contention. Aye, to give
you the final proof, the owner of this house is Don
Enrique de Cavodilla, and it was his niece — though
my memory halts at her name — that I laid hands on.
By our laws a slave seized is a slave passed to owner-
ship, and that you well know."

Mr. Tym turned back to us, his countenance
grown serious.

" This is not well. I fear the rascal has the right
of it— I mean as to the rule."

" I am sure of it," said I reluctantly. " I have a
clear thought of how it runs."

" Then, if they have the right to claim the slaves,
I conceive they have the further right to come in and
search for them," said Mr. Tym with a vexed ges-
ture. "Well, say we yield ? To refuse would be to
avail no one, and I conceive our friends now have a
very hopeful start."

We were compelled to agree with him, and with-
out further words he unbarred and opened the door.

Towland and his men sullenly pressed in, and, we
giving back, they quickly filled all the fore part of
the hall. I now had a chance to count them and
note who they were, and perceived there were ten of
them besides Towland himself, and that all but two

ntenance

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

Zt r ^J'. °^" ^^'^"^^"d. These exceptions were
Paul Cradde and one Gabriel, a negro Both of
these belonged to our own-that is, to Phlb m's
company, -^i'iuutris

Tovvland looked at us with a lowering brow but
said nothing, and the men after a brief sUrin.
about made forward and began to scatt r o ^r ^
house, lowland seemed to hang in the winH f

'u:"burifs:h' ''r'' '- ---^ - - --^^'-.^

to us bi t ,f so he changed his mind, for, in the end
he^wheeled about and followed som'e of 'his cre^^^^

We exchanged significant glances, but for a little

.' g o7 has"?" :;f "^^ " '''-' ^^y dangerous se^m!
he most If t. " ""^' '' ^'^ "^^" returned-

hearth L J T "T ""' ''"^^' ^^'^^^ -^ ^0">d
we n.^^ ^"°^kmg about and calling to one another
- ve passed a whispered word, and all stole quietly
out^ As we made down the walk I heard a consid-
erable noise, and thought that the men were demol-
ishing some doors or partitions, but fortunately no
further heed seemed to be paid to us

Fetching at last into the street, we turned in the
direction of the water and pushed along at a sharp

to talk about It, to gain the first leftward street or
passage and thence continue till we obtained some
knowledge or were satisfied of the safety of the
fugitives. But about this time I began Jfind my
attention in a measure taken by a new matter. The
buccaneers had now dispersed pretty well over the
cit) anu, having broken into a considerable number
of houses and ill treated the inmates, a great noise

' F

t^iiiljl

"'El

220

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

and pitiful outcry began to arise. We had barely
emerged into the street when five or six buccaneers
ran laughing out of a neighbouring court, and im-
mediately I perceived they were dragging upon a
rope, at the end of which stumbled a bloody and
half-naked man. He was mumbling and wailing in
Spanish, and scarce seemed to know what was hap-
pening to him, and this I presently ceased to wonder
at, for I discovered that they had put out both his
eyes. I was struck a little faint with the horror of
the thing, and had much ado to restrain my anger
and detestation, but upon a quick thought of the
uselessness and, indeed, danger of it, finally managed
to do so. The wretches and their victim presently
turned into a by-street, and we lost them, but not for
a little the cries, which endured like a trail of pain in
the air.

We had fetched to a stand, but presently made
forward again, and at last came to the leftward-
turning street, and none too soon, for we would
have no more of these doleful and dreadful sights.
By this time the shouting and divers kinds of noises
had vastly increased, and it seemed that the sack
was now really doing, the more especially as we
began to hear women's voices rising above the other
notes.

We gladly turned the corner, and at last broke
into a run, in this way quickly leaving the acute-
ness of the noises behind us and gaining the rear
street.

All was comparatively quiet here, a few voices
from the depths of the closed houses faintly crying
out, and a hostile dog now and then dashing forth

MASTER ARDICIv, BUCCANEER. 221

and barking, but nothing of a violent or disorderly
nature going on. ^

"I think they have got fairly off," said the can-
tarn vvuh a breath of relief. "It is clear tTe
buccaneers have not yet penetrated to this quar-

beach" '""' '' ""'"' '^^" '"^^'^"' ^° ^^^^'^ ^'^e

"1 would not croak," said I, "but I am less hope-
ful. I here ,s the guard on the ships, who mi<.ht
easdy espy then, and then our stragghng pardes
aie poking about in all directions."

• !' 1? ^'?" '°°" '^^^'^ h°^^ the matter has gone "
saidMr Tym. '< We have but to continue ^o the
water side, and proceed a little way from there
toward this fisher village. If we see and hear noth-
ing amiss we may rest in reasonable content that
they are safe."

•' Well, we would not turn back without tl at as-
surance, said I. " Let us proceed "

We pushed on down this street, accordinglv, and
when we had come into the next turned to th; left
and so continued to the outskirts of the town We
learned nothing of moment, or touching the business
in hand and, thinking it of no use to proceed farther
and indeed, supposing it might not be prudent to do
so (lest we might be spied upon by some of Tow-
land s party), we descended to the beach, and so
walked for a time up and down.

As w-e did so we could hear the cries and other
distressful noises from the town, and were melan-
cholly at the wickedness and havoc going on there.

After some little time, it being now near noon,
and we beginning to be hungry, we thought it best

III

222

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

El ■

li-'J

to return to the castle. We bent our steps that way
therefore, and might have proceeded a fourth part
of the distance when Mac Ivrach suddenly gave a
little cry.

" Look yonner ! Nay, nay ! a's amiss ! "
We hastily sprang to his side, for he was standing
at the moment on a bit of ledge, while we were below
and to our horror discovered what it was that had
fetched out the cry. In a kind of little depression,
and partly hidden by the overhanging crest of the
ledge, lay the corpse of Don Enrique de Cavodilla '

* !

CHAPTER XXIV.

OF THE THINGS THAT PAUL CRADDE TOLD US,

TOGETHER WITH THE CONCEPTION OF A

DARING PLAN.

We looked at one another as men confounded.
When was this dreadful business accomplished, and
by whom ?

Mr. Tym was the first to collect himself.

" We have been deceived, friends," he said with a
sigh, " or rather we have deceived ourselves. These
poor people got no fair start, as we thought, but
were seized at the very outset. While we were fol-
lowing, as we deemed, on their track, they were be-
ing hurried toward the castle."

"But this murder?" I cried in vast anxiety
"How came it about.? Alas! and there may be
others. Nay, let us search this place thoroughly,
that we may know whether it be so or not."

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER. ^2^

We left the body at this, and looked narrowly all
about, but made no like dreadful discovery

" To answer your question, Ardick," said Mr
Tym, as we finally gave over, " I opine Don Enrique
tried to escape, and in doing so was slain. Alas '
poor gentleman, he lacked not a spirit! Well and
how say you > Shall we cover the remains, and push
on ? It may be we can yet render some service to
the livmg.

2 Let us by all means do so," said the captain
with a sigh. ^

I was only too anxious to reach the castle, and
Mac Ivrach being of the same mind, we tarried oni;
till we could cover the body (using large stones for
the purpose), and started on.

As we drew near the castle I observed a consid-
erable stir, many figures of the buccaneers passing
and repassing, and some pushing forward little
groups of unarmed people, who must be captives
Not a few women were among them, for I could see
the fulness of their garments and the bright colours
of their scarfs and other like decorations.

At last we drew nigh, and climbed the plateau to
the gate. I was now able to observe with more ex-
actness the things we had till now seen at a distance
but I confess that my mind was so full of our especial
business that I took no close notice of them, though
at another time I had not failed to do so. I did ob-
serve, to be sure, some of the more pitiful of the
women captives, ir particular one poor creature that
wept continually, and was led along with her hands
lashed together, but the details of her story no one by
me knew. Again I did take notice of one poor gray-

224 MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

haired woman— her I thought of a station above the
common, judging by her looks and dress-who wept
not, but most pitifully groaned, and when I caught
the talk of those about me I learned that she had
just seen her only son dreadfully tortured, so that he
was like to die, but if he lived must be a miserable
cripple. After her came a young and comely woman
whose ears and fingers were bleeding, as though she
had been hastily and brutally stripped of her jewels
and whose chief garment was a man's long coat!
She, one standing by me said, was the daughter of
some great hidalgo, though the name he did not
know.

All this, I say, I learned, and yet without much in-
quiry, for my mind was now more and more on edge to
discover the fate of the poor Lady Carmen. At last
it was our turn, and we hastily passed ihe guard and
entered the court. I must pause here to say that
the interior parts of the castle were in some ways
peculiar, since the chief hal! was upon the nether
floor, and was reached at once after passing through
a strong arched gateway and a little passage. The
ofifices and lesser rooms were bevond this hall, and
the dungeons (though this I learned afterward)
were directly beneath it. The quarters for the sol-
diers were meant to be in a rearward wing, but the
present garrison, having no strict discipline, were
making a billet of whatsoever places they s^iw fit.
These things had best be mentioned here, as they
will make clearer the parts of the narrative to
follow.

When we had gotten into the court we found
much stir, many pushing about intent on disposing

■fa

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER. 225

Of their booty, and others making for the kitchen
whence we caught the smell of cookery. We had
scarce landed within the gate when I espied Paul
Cradde by the piece of raw meat in his hand bound
for his dmner.

Can we find a more suitable person to give us the

neu s r

Without waiting for their answer, I hailed him
and brought him to.

He wore no very amiable face, yet was civil
enough m his air, and without hesitation I set about
my purpose,

" We are four passing hungry men, shipmate, and
have not yet learned the ropes of this craft Where
got you this meat, and where is the other prog and
the wine.?" ^ "^ ^

Cradde, with all his faults, was not by nature sour
and crusty; rather the reverse. His old-time ffood-
humoured look returned as I spoke.

'' Why, as to the meat," he made answer, " in that
lowermost office. The lighter prog is in no set place
but in the lower rooms, as the purveyors have chanced
o .eave it. The wine is but little in quantity, our
fellows fetching it in, as to the main, in their inside
Yet a few bottles are yonder, as you may see "

He pointed to a shadowed angle in the wall

botUe^' ^ ""'"^ '''''' '^°°'^ ^ ^^'^'' ^'""^^ ^^"'^ ''''''^'
" I am beholden to you," said I, and hastened to
secure the basket. " If you are not in haste," I went
on carelesslj.^ " I will fetch a piece of the m,at, and
we will mess with you. It will seem like old times

III

226 MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

and, moreover— to be out with it— we would have a
little talk with you."

" I have no objection," he answered. " Fetch the
meat and what else you wish. I will wait."

I lost no time in doing this, and, possessed of a
good slab of the beef and two or three loaves of
bread, I signed to my companions, and we fell into
his wake. He had us across the court to the kitchens,
where we roasted the meat, and thence, having first
procured some wooden trenchers and a little salt, we
passed through a postern gate and established our-
selves at the foot of the wall. Here was compara-
tive seclusion, as well as some escape from the heat,
which was now intense.

As soon as we were established I made Cradde
acquainted with Captain Sellinger, relating at the
same time, though in brief, the captain's story. I did
this, meaning, in the first place, to establish better
fellowship, and also that I could (by indirection)
give some colouring to the morning's adventure In
short, I made it appear that our business at the don's
was legitimate-that is, from the buccaneers' stand-
point,— and that the matter was fetched about by the
captain, who hated his late master.

Cradde was no very deep fellow, and easily swal-
lowed this yarn, which when he had done he was in
the state of mind that I desired.

"Well," said I, feigning an indifferent air "I
fancy none of us are the richer by the morning's
undertaking. I see you make no brags of the wealth
you found."

" For a good reason," he said with a grunt. « We
found only some garments and household gear. No

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER. 23-

f^^ ^\^^V''^"'- ^ ^'""'y '^' °'^ ^^^^^1 must
have hidden the chief part."

"I believe he did," put in the captain, "or that
aoie to confirm it.

better Not a soul was in the house. The servants
indeed, the captain told us, had already fled, but we
thought to find at least some of the family "

"Now that," said Cradde with a puzzled look "is
passing strange. They could barely have vaclted
the place when you entered. Indeed, they were
caught but a pebble's toss from the water side Had
you but peeped from the rearward door I think you
must have seen them."

"Ah, how stupid! " I cried. "But, in truth, we
thought only of the house. And so t^ey were a >
tured ? Was it, then, the entire family ? " ^

"Aye," answered Cradde with a sigh "The
beautiful daughter and all. Would I had been the
captor !

rin " f^'"'^>'' '=<'"'"^<i the captain. " Not Don En-
nque s daughter. But that matters not "

"cured her.'i"^ ""' ""= "'''■ ^'^^ "-^"^ ^^^l
" Captain Blyte ! " I exclaimed in surprise Mv
heart sank withal. He was another iike'xowlat^d
and Cradde " And how was that ? " I continued „
my former tone.

whi'l'e? J' "" ''""7. """ '°"' "P '■•°'» 'he water
While «e were mak.ng tomfools of ourselves a.
searching the house," answered Cradde, "and lo'

'i I;
ir i

'1 ■

228

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

they fairly walked into his arms. Still, ail is not
quite settled, il • does not yet possess the prize."

"And how is tiiat ? " put in Mr. Tym.

"Why, Towland disputes his right," answered
Cradde. "Aye, and that fiercely. The two all but
came to blows."

"Towland claiming under the law of first hand-
laying?" pursued Mr. Tym.

" The same."

"AndBlyte?"

"Well, I am not very clear, but something in this
sort, answered Cradde: " Blyte would have it that
the men on that first day were sent into the city
solely to secure the place, and not to spoil, and that
in consequence, Towland has .0 rights dating from'
that time."

"And how is this dispute to be settled ?" asked
the captain."

We breathlessly listened for the answer.

"Morgan will do it," answered Cradde. "He
has taken the lady out of their hands and locked her
up. He swears he will not pass judgment till the
morrow, when they shall have commanded their
choler."

We had some ado to conceal our relief and vast
satisfaction.

"But there were others?" resumed the captain
after a little. " I refer not to the poor don, for we
know he is slain, but how as to his wife ? Aye, and
there was an old servant."

"Both dead, likewise," said Cradde indifferentlv
"The old dame must run before a sword, when it
was aimed at her husband, and was grievously

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANKF.R. ,.^

hey lh,„g „.„ „„ ,„,i^^ .„^^, ,1^^ witer.'X i
<lou H not, the sharks soon „K,de an end of them "'

ont nothnig of present moment. The old don ns

tTvin: .:"""'"''• 'ir" " "^^^ ■^-^ ■^'-' "i.

try ng to escape. The dinner ended, we presently
parted w,th Cradde, and in a little time-avoM I
an app „, haste-returned a«ain to ^

tinned ti^'" ""' "°"' '"'"'^^-'^ ''"'• ^"' « -"■
nued t,l we came to an old boathonse, in the

s adow of which we sat down. Our talk ran on

a some length, but there is no need that I should

g.ve more than the substance. The chief thing was

that we were resolved to have done with Jltrln

and h,s crew. ^Ve were also of one mind-t 3h

Xt:;:7L^-L-:r---ver:''ift
-r;hi:--t.-ie:r-g::sst:g-tt^

let us to the details. Speaking after a br^ad ash

e"d "nrk?^ r T ''' ^"" P'-^' -''"V. t"

«e uo not know a 1 the fnrtc t ^^ i

„„j 1 • lacts, 1 counse some swift

and audacious nrocppHino- c . ,

tunitv and . /'°^^^^'."- Say to watch our oppor-

sl.p her boldly out under the buccaneers' noses
Remember, she will be disguised."

"That is to my mind," said the captain. "A bold
ad speedy stroke it should be. In truth, there s
little time for any other." ^^ic li,

'' Why, that looks feasible," said I. "But now a

230

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

bit further. Say you have her out, 'what then?
Whither would you Hy ? It may not be possible to
procure horses, and afoot would be tno slow. Again,
some suspicious gang might challenge us."

"Well, then," said the captain, "why seek to go
by land ? Why not by water ? "

"By water?" said I, in some surprise. "Is not
that still more hazardous ? Besides, where can we
come by a suitable boat ? "

"That," said Seilinger, "would be no feat. Be-
twixt now and sundown I warrant I can lay hold on
one that will suit our purpose."

"Whither would you go ?" asked Mr. Tym.
" Well, perhaps to Delasco, which is a place but a
few leagues to the south, or to Buenaventura, which
may be two hundred," answered the captain. "I
suppose these or any other would serv."

We went into the matter a little further, but in
the end came to the captain's plan.

" Then do you go now," he said, " and try to find
out the location of the seflorita's room, and likewise
fetch what you can of stores and water. Doubtless
you can obtain enough for the purpose, as we are
not likely to make a long voyage, and, moreover,
there may be somewhat of the kind aboard. Mean-
while I will search for the craft herself."

"Content," we said, and while we returned to the
castle, the captain set off in the direction of the
jetties.

MASTER ARDICK. BUCCANEI-R.

231

CHAPTER XXV.

OF THE PROGRESS OF OUR PLAN.

«ti. 10 cne tashion of our proceeding Mr Tvm ,
to spy out the whereabouts of the senoH a l^^ u""
Ivrach and I were to sernr. . , '^"°"^^' *^"^ ^^^^
„,. . '^^"^^ "^o secure and conceal the storf.«

This done, we were to meet anrl t-.i- f u
cpI w. • . ^"^ take further coun-

sel. Having concluded on thi«; ninn r .

set about carryin.r it out W ^ . '• ''' ^^^^'^^^'^'^
gate, and while Mr T .' ^""'"^ ^"'^ '"^''^^ ^^e

and r din ^ '^ '"'^"'■^ itself-MacIvrach

and I slipped around to the offices. Here we fonnH

the same confusion as before, only n!w the e ^ e

ewer about, and having slyly secured two ^ !

sacks we earned out such food as was at hand and

se ved. o.,„gh I think we might safely have been
bolder, .or those about were near all I liquor or
busied with their own concerns. '

We took the sacks to one of the rear offices and

the court We scarce expected to see Mr. Tym or

and in this we were not mistaken, for he did not a
once appear. We lounged about, affecting little in
tre. ,n what was doing (playing this par' th we
might seem consistent with our conduct before) aL

so continued till at last Mr. Tym came ou? He
moved m an indifferent fashion, not very fast bu!
yet not overdoing his part, and so drew' presently

■'i.

232

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

along to US. My pulse ran with some disorder, by
this time, for the delay was trying, and, moreover,
this was almost the heart of the business.

"All is well," he said, with a careless-seeming
nod— it was marvellous how my blood started in my
veins at the words. " How fares it with the other } "

"Likewise well," I almost falteringly answered.

He drew a bit nearer, that chance passers might
not hear.

" This is the gist of the matter," he said : " She is
shut up in one of the first-story chambers. To
reach it you pass up the chief staircase, and so by
an outside passage. The chamber is at the end,
and is directly above the outwork. It therefore
overlooks the water."

"And how learned you all this?" I asked. I
scarce dared believe we had gotten ^ o far along in
the undertaking and nothing contrary happened.

" Why, pretty simply," he said with a smile. " As
I was passing through the hall I met Morgan, and,
if you will credit it, he delivered to me the whole
matter."

This made me fetch a little breath.

"It was an easy matter," went on Mr. Tym
coolly. " I did but meet him, as I say, and after we
had talked a little— he running on rather loosely,
being somewhat in wine— he spoke of his own accord
of the seiiorita. He praised her beauty and swore
that it were a shame to deal with her save gently,
and more to like purpose. I finally drew him on to
disclose where she was, and this, I may say, I did
easily. After some further talk. I took leave of
him, and while he passed into one of the under

I- 1

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

rooms I descended to the dungeons. I did this that
I might seem consistent, having declared that I had
some small curiosity about these places. From the
dungeons I came again to the hall and thence ven-
tured to peep above-sLairs, where I found a man on
guard, and so turned back. The fellow did not ob-
serve me, as I had approached softly and his atten-
tion was elsewhere, and this I was glad of, as I did
not wish to arouse his suspicions. I could think of
nothing more that might profitably be done, and so
I returned hither."

" Why, I count that excellent," I said. « Indeed
It is beyond our reasonable expectation "

" A less favourable thing," he went on to say - is
that there are two or three windows in the passUe
and from the glimpse I had of them all are set with
stout iron bars. This moved me to think that noth-
ing could be done in that quarter, since the bars
alone must be a great obstacle, to say nothing of
the outer work below and the dangerous and con-
spicuous descent into it."

"Well," I said, not much put down, "this but
shifts the manner of the risk, as I opine, and scarce
nicreases it. In the end the business is to be accom-
plished by audacity, so it is accomplished at all "

" I grant you," said Mr. Tym. " But now, since
we have made an end here, let us see if we can learn
how It fares with the captain. In truth, I have some
anxiety."

So indeed, did Mac Ivrach and I, and I mav say
that this matter was now uppermost in my mind
since the other was concluded. We therefore dropped
the discourse and set off once more for the water

1*1

234 MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

As yet the captain was not in sight, though we
scanned the water in all directions for him • where-
fore we judged that he had not yet succeeded in his
undertaking. The sun still beat down with great
fervour, and we were glad to reach the little boat-
house and bestow ourselves in its shade. Not many
people were astir, though we saw a few buccaneers
on the ships, and some at intervals passed to and
from the shore. All the while the cries and other
noises in t' e city persisted, but did not reach us clear-
ly, save now and then an uncommon high shriek We
talked a little, but not to much purpose, for we were
looking every moment for Sellinger, and so passed.
It might be, half an hour.

At last, just as we were beginning to feel some
disquiet, a small boat popped out of the concealment
of the neighbour jetty, and there, to be sure, was the
captain.

He shot his craft up to the beach and leaped out,
and as we made forward gave us a cheerful nod.

"I ha-e secured an indifferent little sloop " he
said. ** How fared you .? " '

We had him into the shade, and in a few words
made him acquainted with our success. Then he
gave us his account, u seemed that he meant to
have no commerce with the buccaneers, fearing lest
he might rouse suspicion, but instead watched for a
native fisherman, and was at last fortunate enough
to bring one to. With him, after a little bantering
(each had some trouble in understanding the other)
he managed to conclude a bargain. The craft was a
clumsy affair, it seemed : in length it might be seven-
and-twenty feet, by above eight in the beam, and

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER. ^^.

was undecked, though it had a rude sort of cuddy
1 he single sai was old and patched, but looked to
be fit for moderate service, and was set to a boom
and a short gaff. She had no vessels or any kind
of tools or implements aboard, being furnished ^olely
with a pair of rude oars. Nevertheless she appeared
stanch, and would, he thought, be likely to do the
work required of her.

Thh cxi)lanation pleased us greatly, for now mat-
ers -cbesaid toberoughhewn t our purpose.
VVe asKed the captain a few questions, such as where
the sloop lay-which, it seemed, was not over a hun-
dred yards above the jetty, and well inshore-and
as to the person he bought her of, which he answered
by saying that he was a simple fellow, and beyond
doubt had no suspicions.

"Very well, then," said Mr. Tym, when the mat-
ter had reached this stage, ''we seem to want noth-
ing now but to complete the details of our plan Let
us go at once about it."

We were at a good deal of pains here debating
many things but, after all, the matter sifteVdown f
this: toward the middle of the night, beforlthe
moon should rise-which it did now v;ry ,ate--w
were to slip up to the passage leading to the senori-
a s room, beguile and overpower the guard, gag and
bind him, and force the senorita's door A f^^ words
from me would explain what was afoot, and, having
thrust the guard into the chamber and secured him
here, we would quietly descend to the hall and
boldly pass out. Of course, our main reliance must
be upon .the general carelessness and disorder, and
upon the fact that nothing of the business was sus-

1^1

! ■>

2^6

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

pected. As for the minor details, it seemed best that
Mr. Tym should lead off, and at the point where he
wished us to fall upon the soldier should make a cer-
tarn prearranged sign.

All this being finally resolved, and the time still
wanting some hours of night, we boarded the cap-
tarn's boat, being minded both to escape as much as
might be from the dolorous noises and to test the
craft's ability. We found her what he had described
but likewise dirty and disordered. We brought her
to such neatness as we could, failing not, as well to
mend and strengthen such parts of her as seemed
weakest, and in chief the rigging, standing and other-
wise. We finally ran out as far as the islands of
Taboga and Taboguilla, and thence stood for some
distance down the bay. I must say here that as we
passed the island of Taboga I thought of the poor
lady, she having formerly dwelt there, and being
now reduced to such a miserable plight! This reflec
tion, indeed, brought the water to my eyes, as I am
not ashamed to confess. Both Taboga and Tabo-
guilla were now in the possession of the buccaneers
and in fact I caught the flash of armour and made out
some figures moving about, as we stood away from
iaboga. It was easy to see what a hell they must
be making of that beautiful place, and indeed this
afterward proved to be but too true, as those who
have written the chronicle of this great but wicked
expedition have so well set forth. In short, dumb
nature herself suffered from them, for they destroyed
trees and vines, and trampled down the very flowers
in the gardens in the wantonness of their mischief
Having left thi.- sad spot, we fetched some way

MASTER ARDICK, EUCCANEEJ

23;

to the south, and finally came about and in a failing
wind ran back to our anchorage. By this time it
was close upon sundown, and late enough for us to
be thnikmg of returning to the castle. In fact we
had sun some preparations to make, such as brlng-
ng down the stores-not forgetting a breaker of
water-and an extra supply of clothing and weapons
ncluded n. the clothing must be some for the poo;
lady, though I was sorry that none of it could be of
a sort suitable to her sex. We likewise thought of

door"A,r;h" ''"' "^'' "'"'^ '' ''''' '^' chamber
doo . All these matters, I will say in brief, we at-

eemin. t'o" " '"' encountering any mishap or
seem ng to arouse any suspicions. Finally, we hid
the httle skiff, and returned for the last time to the
castle. It was now quite dark, the twilight in those
parts being exceeding brief, and wanting no great
while of the hour we had set for our undertaking
1 his. It will be remembered, was the early part of the
night, before the confusion and disorder were like to
have abated, and ere yet it was moonriso. At last it
wanted only a few minutes of nine, and as we deemed
that nothing was to be gained by waiting longer we
saw to our weapons and made along to the arched
gate.

?-'\

ni:

CHAPTEE XXVI.

OF OUR FURTHER GOOD FORTUNE.

The door at the end of the passage stood open
and we caught a small glimmer of light and heard
voices. Pushing on, though I confess with some un-

238

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

easiness on my part (for I thought of Morgan), we
presently found ourselves in the great hall. Here
were perhaps a score of our fellows, the most sprawled
about or sitting on the long table, and only four or
five talking. A few had horns or flagons by them,
and others were smoking, but I perceived that nearly
the half seemed to be heavily asleep. Perhaps three
or four candles were burning, put in a cloud, indeed,
by the tobacco smoke, and bringing out little of
the immediate surroundings with distinctness. Of
the persons who were tal. ing, one lay flat on the
table and, by the bandage about his head, should be
wounded, and another paced up and down, his arm
in a sling.

" In chief these are fellows who are drunk or dis-
abled," I thought, "and therefore in tiie better case,
as far as we are concerned."

We were past them presently, none hailing us,
and having gone out by the rearward door were at
last in the hall of the stairs. Here it was dark, save
for the little illumination of the buccaneers' candles
and all deserted and quiet. AVe did not close the
door after us, both because the light was of some use
and because we thought the act would seem suspi-
cious, though, indeed, the fellows had scarce appeared
to notice us. One thing now puzzled me a little
which was that it seemed so dark at the top of the
stairs. To be sure, the guard might have deposited
his lanthorn, or candle at the far end of the passage,
but even then, I thought, some faint light would
show. However, there was little time to think on
this, even supposing it to be of import, for Mr. Tym
had already begun to ascend the stairs. We fell

. MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER. 33^

into his train, the captain first, I next, and iMac Iv-
rach last, and all crept softly up. I now thought a
fanit bit of hght was stealing down from the passage
but guessed that it might be nothing but starlight'
I glanced as well as I could by the captain, and kepi
Mr 7yms figure in a vague way in view, feeling
with some quickening of the pulse, that it must now
be soon that he would reach the top and come under
the observation of the guard. The flight was long
but presently I saw his figure cut out black and
more distinct, and knew he was in the passage and
obstructing a window. It was now certain that there
was no light, save of the stars, and this must be the
reason why the guard had not as yet perceived him
He turned, for I caught the narrowing of his shape"
and immediately the window was free again and
now he had surely advanced down the passage.'

I slipped alongside the captain, and he looked at
me, the wonderment on his face coming out in the
faint hght. We were now close to the top of the
< >ght, but as yet could not command the passage
the continued wall cutting us off. Of a sudden I
heard a soft, long step, and, the window above dark-
ening, I looked up and saw I\Ir. Tym.

"All's well," he said, in a sharp whisper full of
relief. " The coast is clear."

This was such brave news that for an instant it
fairly brought the captain and me to a standstill
Yet only while one might catch his breath We
made a straddling bound of it to the top, Mac Ivracli
close behind.

The starlight came in at three barred windows
and fetched out the place in a dim, but yet resolv-

' I

p i

240 MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

able fashion, and, truly enough, save ourselves not
a soul was there. "' selves, not

Mr "rvm""'" ""'"■°'' "'" °Pl»"««i'y." went on

Yonder ,5 the door; Master ArdicI;, do you hai
he senoraa, and then proceed as s„ edily'a yo
can with the breaking in." y as you

The business wanted no more discussion and
quick y we were all before the door. A « ;'fai t
b. of „g|„ came from he open keyhole but a"
within was quiet. To make quite certain that th
door was locked, I first gently tried it, but found a
I expected, the bolt shot. Stooping then to "he key

a\%rii'rtr"°"^'^-'-'-^^"---

" Who is there ? "

"Friends, lady. Captain Sellinger and others
that you wot of. AVe have come to deliver you '

I heard her give a little cry, and she seemed to
have come up close to the door.

"^Ve^re about to break in," I continued "Yet
stay,— are you dressed ? " ' '

praZ"'. ""°^- ^'^ '"^ ^^'"'^ "-^ heard my

" She understands the matter," I said back to mv
companions " Hand me the pry, Mac Ivrach." '

The Scotchman had fetched along this imnle
n;ent-a short bar of iron, with one end fla 'ed
mto a splay-and now passed it over. I jammed k
in midway up, near the lock, and gave a heivT The
door was of wood, but heavy and strongly set, lid

MASTER ARDICK, liUCCANEER. , ,

this first effort only made it strai,, and cracl<. Grow-
g .mpat.ent and anxious, I punched again, and t, L
t me I,rew my weight against the bar. The bolt in
stant y snapped and the door swung quivering op
The ,g|„ „„,i„_^ ^.„g,^ candle-hardly brot ght
out the place wuh distinctness, yet one glance re
oved nearly all. Just within tl,e entrance stood
the senorua, pale, and with her yellow hair fa li°f
dow-n her shoulders. At her back were the e a fs
of the room, ma„,ly a little cumbrous furniture and
the scant drapery of the barred windows

As soon as the poor creature got the liirht falrlv

captam, she ran forward and fell on her knees at

"Oh, se«or, may Christ reward you ' I had all
but given up hope ! " J" u • i had all

awkwar';^;'' u 1' "^'"; '''"'"'" '''"^ '^e captain
s^nlht^P H'^fo'-got that the lady did not uider-
stand h,s Enghsh. He gave her his hand and she
ros^e, looking sweetly and gratefully at the rest

But this was no time for sentiment. W, imme-
diately withdrew a little and took counsel togeTer

so^d Mr T' '° . T, "" ""' P"^^^ °^ 'h^ ■"'"","
e ve I It- h ^''' '"~'°""'^ "'^Suise will sti I
serve. I note, however, that she has removed the
stams from her face, and these it might be weil in
some sort, to renew. Her skin shows' thought loo

" Look you, there is a broad hat," said the can-

ain pointing to what seemed at hrst like a sha ow

m a neighbouring uook. "Why will not that ,Z

242

MASTER ARDICK, UUl'CANDKR.

ficc ? Aye, for it can be made to lop d -\vn, wliich
will help to conceal her face."

Upon inspection we found that the hat did, in-
deed, possess the advantages mentioned. Upon
further inspection the nook was found to contain a
little table, and on this was lying a black camlet
cloak. Close by stood a strong- cross-staff.

These seemed lucky discoveries, though I can
hardly consider them remarkable, since all were
common things, likely to be found in such a room.
Upon trial the great hat could be made almost to
hide the senorita's face, and the cloak, thrown care-
lessly over one shoulder (it would scarce do to seem
close wrapped in it, on account of the beat of the
weather), would help to conceal the outlines of her
figure.

These few and simple preparations made, we
seemed ready to depart.

'• Say the captain and I go first," said Mr. Tym.
" The lady and you, Ardick, would do well to come
next, and Mac Ivrach can bring up the rear. We
must all take care to stroll along carelessly."

"Yet a moment," said I, as a thought struck me.
" Must we pass through the great hall ? Is there no
back way ? "

"There is," replied Mr. Tym, "but it is locked,
and I believe the key is lost. I should have ac-
quainted you with this before, and indeed its impor-
tance makes it strange that I did not, but in truth I
quite forgot it. Yet, after all, I am in doubt if we
should gain much if the passage were open. We
must pass the descent leading to the dungeons, and
Morgan and others are often going or coming thence.

NfASTKR ARI.ICK, BUCCANEER. 343

do" no;.'-' ' ""' °' '^"°"' ^^'^"^'^ ^''^ °^''^^

I had no more to say, and ^ve took a final look at

our weapons and prepared to start. The door dur-

P etut on'tr"' '-^'^"'-.'^^'^^'^'"^^ ^^^1-. -^^ as a last
listened "^^'"" ""'^^ '^ ^^''^'^ «P-^ -^^

The faint murmurs of the talkers below could be
heard and now and then a thump, as of one getting
off the table or pounding idly with his glass or a
weapon, but in all nothing suspicious

'' Well •■ said Mr. Tym at length, "let us start "
vve fell into the understood order, accordingly
and m silence passed out into the passage. Mar Iv'
rach lingered a little, and took the precaution to
close the door, and we were thus, for the time in
comparative darkness, the stars fetching the place
out only in a faiut glimmer. ^

I touched my elbow to the sefiorita's to encourage
her and m this fashion we slipped softly along, and
without hearing an alarming sound reached the head
o the stairs. Here Mr. Tym halted, but after a
glance began to descend, and we, catching the noises
now plainer from below, but still nothing menacing,
quetly followed. As before, we found this rearward
ha 1 safe and deserted. Mr. Tym gave a glance
back at us, as though to see that all were ready, and
with a bola step passed on and turned in at the

her "h Vfu ^'"^"^'"^ ^'^^ " ^^^^'^^^ pace or two
behind and fo lowed. I did not hesitate, but as I felt
the lady tremble whispered to her to take heart for

i. J

244

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

there was but small danger, and so saying pressed
her arm hard with mine, and with that we passed in.
All was as we had left it. The buccaneers were
still sitting or lying about, save he who nursed his
arm and walked up and down, and the haze of the
tobacco smoke continued. We mardied down thc
hall, I, as I must confess, in some perturbation, and
made toward the vaulted passage. It seemed an in-
terminable distance, but, to my tremendous relief,
no attempt was made to stop us, and at last we
passed safely inside. The first part of the strain was
now over, and with a congratulatory look or two,
but no words, for those were too risky, we continued
on and entered the court. Here we found the for-
mer disorder and confusion, some of the buccaneers
straggling about laughing or roaring drunken songs,
some ordering their arms, and others in groups talk-
ing. Morgan was not in sight, but Towland's rival,
the savage and hard-fighting Captain Blyte, was
sprawled near by on a bench. His back was luckily
toward us. There was but a single other captain in
sight, one Steaves, who was lounging in the main
gate. This last person, as I thought, was the officer
of the guard, for I noted that three of his company
were close by, and that one carried a lanthorn. Two
more buccaneers, though I could not say who,
seemed to be stationed at the other gate— that is,
the postern,— for I could catch the gleam of their
armour, as they paced to and fro.

Mr. Tym was not for halting, and led us boldly
to the main gate. The postern, as I might say here,
was the more obscure and the guard smaller, but it
was the farther removed, and again we must pass

i I

MASTER AKDICK, BUCCANEER. ^,.

245

the «;in«s of the castle, ,vhere n,.,, were frequently

the edge of t|,e platen-,. ;■ low witich was tlu- bold
-posed beach. The ,„a,„ ,. ,e, o„ the oth ha" d'
let us at ouce upon . ,:onsld, -able street a„<l t i s
was crossed by other .ncets and was da;ke d n
n.a„y places by trees. Mr. Tym thus proy d h "
w,sxIon,y preferring the chief gate, a.ul. i b ,^f, a

thmk.ng the danger as good as oyer, and drew a
great breath of relief, and spoke a word of cite .0
the senor.ta. Mr. Tyn,, howeycr, looked pret v

pace and drew on to the turn of the f.rst alley I
glanced down the street, seeing no cause for anpre-
hens,o„, and thence fetched a look out upon the
dusky, yet starlit bay, and still conceiyed that our
troubles were nigh oyer. This alley would ta e
by a quret way to the water, whence it ought ,0 be
an easy matter to reach the jetty and so the boat.

corner Mr T "° '""'' '"'^ ""'" "'^ ''"" "'™^'' 'he
ed Dofia r ' "? '"" '^'■'^^" P»«- I -^^-t-

wnll ,, '"' '''"> P™^^^' "«'<=ed, no mean

«ker, and we kept on to the. termination of the
stars' a„H' "\'""'""'' '« "as dark, saye for the

thuik the bu.ldmgs about were in the main small

varehouses and mechanics' shops, such as wTuI no

be n use saye by day, and again I suppose that such

fay dark" "T?"' ""' '" '"^ °'' "'-^ "^". -"d so

lay dark and close.

I'ttle wealth we were m the smaller danger of meet-

*!■

246

i I

i'i

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

ing straggling parties of our men, and indeed, Mr.
Tym here ventured to relax the pace a little, the
which I was heartily glad of for the senorita's sake
We might, now have taken to the beach, had we so
mnided, as we had come out to the water, but on
the whole we thought it best otherwise, and so
fetched yet again to the right, this continuing till
the land once more widened, when I noted widi joy
that we were close upon the jetty.

It seemed lighter here. The space about us was
more open, and the clear stretch of water lay just
before. The jetty appeared to be deserted (indeed
it was an old one, little used), and as far as could be
seen not a person was in the neighbourhood. The
stars made some show in fetching out the expanse
of the bay, which gave a wider boundary seaward
than one would have guessed, and on the left there
was a quickening to more and brighter lights, where
the ships and small craft lay. I could now give
some attention to the wind, which I found was off
the land, though as yet, it seemed, not confirmed,
and in strength 'lardly more than a small stir!
There was a moderate swell on, as I could tell by
the slow rising and sinking of the ships, and the air
was warm, with a kind of tropic smell and heavi-
ness.

By this time we were all upon the jetty, Mr. Tym
and the captain waiting a bit till my companion and
I CO "Id come up.

"Tell the senorita she can take a long breath
now," said Sellinger cheerily. " I will but fetch the
sloop and it's good-bye to this hell-hole ! "

" The captain thinks you can take courage now,"

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

■^47

I translated to the senorita. ''He has but to fetch
the boat and we are off."

ferveX "''"'''""''''''"''' -'''^'^^^'^

Mvln-'t^"".' ''f "" ^^"^ ''°^'''^^^^'" ^ explained.
^^e think to fetch Delasco, or at farthest Buena-
ventura At least, be of good cheer, fur all goes
gloriously." ^'^^

" Vo espei-or she said with a sweet smile
Ihe captain had now left us, and I suggested
hat my companion would do well to rest, which I
found her a passable place to do by spreading her
cloak upon the planks.

The next few minutes seemed long, for now we
were about no active movement, and could think
upon the passage of the time. I d'-ew nigh the
senonta, that I might hearten her by an occasional
word, and Mr. Tym and Mac Ivrach fell to pacing
up and down the jetty. About us all preserved the
previous quiet, though otherwise, now that we were
still, we noted the former alarms and cries First
It would be a clamour, as of men shouting, and
again it would be a far-off shriek, or a dog would
break out and bark long and vociferously. Once or
twice passing boats turned our way, and once there
was a flashing up of lights on a ship, by which I
thought there certainly must be some alarm, but in
the end nothing came of it, and all fell again quiet

However, even this long suspense-if I can call
that long which was, in truth, but a few minutes-
came to an end. While yet I looked anxiously in
the direction whence the captain was to be expected
a gray, square outline broke out of the obscurity

I I;

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ii^

) ! i 'I

i 11

348 MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

and immediately growing proved to be the welcome
patched sail.

I uttered some exclamation of satisfaction, and
Dona Carmen was quickly on her feet, crying "Oh
the blessed boat ! " and we hastened over

Mr. Tym and Mac Ivrach were passing a word
with the captain, and just as we came up the latter
flung the fakes of a line ashore, which the Scotch-
man deftly caught.

All was now quickly managed. The tide had con-
siderably declined, leaving the sloop low and awkward
to get at, and the swell churned her up and down
but we passed the senorita safely aboard, and Mac
Ivrach, who came last, tumbled in and shoved off
As the bow swung round the captain gave a pull at
the sheet, and immediately the boom yerked out and
the sail filled. We took a long dip and slide, and on
looking back I had the satisfaction of perceiving a
great gap open between us and the jetty. So much
of the business, at least, was assured.

The captain now hauled in his sheet, saying that
he would not pass too near the ships,* and we began
to run t the west. We did, indeed, give the ships,
as well as all the lesser craft, a wide berth, upon
which Selhnger seemed satisfied, and, coming about
the sloop's nose pointed at last seaward.

By this time we had made a considerable distance
into the bay, and the outlines of the shore had
gradually sunk to an even duskiness and indistinct-

J Bi:

citv ^l! ''rr'^'^"' '' '"^ ''"^^' ""^ ^^'^"y '^^^'^ ^t the time the
city icli. 1 he purposes of the story, however, require the introduc-
tiun of a few.

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

ness The various lights of the town, however were
still of some brightness, and particularly where 1
chief part was, and the shins wer^ tn h r ^

was the dark of a long point nf'" , ^''

shore ^"^^ ^°^" to the

•ng a bit, upon my speaking ' ^'^Shten-

hat w,tl, a k,nd of feminine prettines, i, T, f
and laid it beside her. I co',„d mlV u ' e^t'
tures better now, and their wonderful perfection
struck „e w,th the former sort of wonder

tshe moved a bit toward me— -,« t «.- i .

confiding fashion-and went on '''' "^ '" '

"But, after all, seizor, I should scarce dwell so

much on my own good fortune Th" , /''^" ^^

fripnH«f wi S^uu lortune. Think of my poor

f. M 'U ^^ ^^°''^'''' ^^'^^^ "°^ theirs a dreadfj
^ate ! I hey were slain-slain before my very eyes
But you knew it, senor ? " ^ ^ '

I can speak of It, and yet it seems to me I do

lli^apiij

250

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER,

if!

not get the thought into my mind," she went on.
''It is as though I were hearing another relate it, or
as though it might be no more than a dream."

"Such is the consequence of the suddenness of it,
which is like a shock to the understanding," I an-
swered. " Presently it will come clearer to you, and
you will have the relief of tears. And now let me
counsel you. Will you not lie down ? It may be you
can not sleep, but you will rest."

But at first she would not hear of it. She felt
more content as she was, she said, and could in no-
wise think of sleep. Yet after a little--as I believe,
mainly because I urged it— she yielded, and I went
forward to prepare her lodging. This, " 'deed, meant
no more than spreading down on the ■ iddy floor a
part of the cloaks and other garments -,e had brought
on board and fastening up at the entrance a bit of
canvas (which I had taken along at the last moment,
thinking it might be useful) for a curtain.

Into this rude sort of cabin she crept, yet not
without stopping at the entrance and (stil'l on her
knees) bidding us good-night. I will swear that
she looked like some beautiful saint in this posture,
and that despite her rude, unsuitable garb. When
she had vanished I returned to my former place, and
the rest of us fell into a little discourse.

The boat slipped along, and still w. per -ived
nothing alarming— that is, no sign of pifc-uii. The
lights behind us fell to little twinklings and finally
to a mere streak of pale radiance, and the ocean
with Its vastness-long-heaving and glassy under the
the stars— opened up. The breeze was still light, but
constant, and set us sliding steadily on.

MASTER ARDICK, DUCCANEER.

I think.

said Mr. Tym after a little, " that

251

ay now venture to set the w.tches. We' k
may be put upon us, and we sh

what str

while there is opportunity

/ / rts ... •'

now not
ould rest

rue.

lie do

wn.

said Sellinger. " Therefore d
and I will take the first watch.

one of you at four bell

This being settled, we three best

o you three
I will call

owed some cloakj

Like the senorita, I had

ceived that my nerves
would make the
oreward, but noth-

for beds and lay down.

thought 01 sleep, for I con

were too overwrought, but still 'l

tnal. At the last I had glanced sho.cuara out noth

2 -emed changed there. No sad was in's g t and

number of low-hangmg stars, marked the city

I ay a considerable t .e in my place, my eyes
Shu but my senses fully awake. I heard all thl
small no,ses-the run of the water past, the moth
eied churnmg of the leakage in the we 1 the ckl
2 of the boom block as the captain t i med '^
heet, the gnttmg slide of one of Mac Ivrach's shoe

wa d m. . ' ^^'*"" '"^' withdrawn from out-

ward matters, in reality I fell asleep.

CHAPTER XXVII.

OF OUR VOYAGE I\ THF Pnin- a..

IN iHE I.QAl AND THE DANGE

THAT FINALLY THREATENED US.

assinl'r'' "'"" ""' P'"'"""^' ^^'"^^ ^'-^d with har-
assmg dreams, and soon I came to a vaguely con-

% ^ I

Nfifl i

1 M

1 P

252

MAS'f'ER ARDICK. BUCCANEER.

scious state— I mean to that state when I seemed to
say to myself, "Tiiis is a da am "—and alter that I
awoke.

The boat was travelling on after the former sort.
It was a bit darker around, for the stars apiieared to
aave dimmed, wherefore I guessed that the moon
Wci:^ at hand, uad the breeze seemed a thought
stro.'-p;or. Come to cast a glance aft, I perceived
Mac J.vrach, the captain having turned over the helm
to him, and this showed me that it was past two of
the clock. I sat up, for just now I had no more de-
sire to sleep, and when I had looked toward the cud-
dy and seen and heard nothing of the seaorita I got
to my feet and softly joined Mac Ivrach.

The captain had left his timepiece, for Mac Iv-
rach had none, and upon a whispered inquiry I
learned that it was half after two. We did not ven-
ture to talk much, for fear of disturbing the others,
but I improved the time to come at a more defi-
nite knowledge of our situation. We had run per-
haps ten or twelve miles, this being chiefly to the
south, and were now heading a little cast of our first
course. We were still far from clearing the bay (for
that is a great piece of water, in southern extent, I
think, near a hundred miles), but yet had the ocean
broad before us, and that to a range of all the south-
erly points on the compass. As for the - i, which I
have already spoken of, I found it to ...tinue as
before— th.:, is, from the north.

In no at time the moon ros nnu soon after I
Insisted on relieving Mac Ivrach, it b-n.jT, indeed, be-
fore the end of his trick, but I was uA yV .-y and so
could as well do it.

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

253

watch. In no long time the night sky paled and the
firs gray streaks of morning appeared. Mr. Tym

Ivrach Mr. lym would have me lie down and he
finish the watch, but I protested that it was no
worth wh:le However, it was arranged that he wa
to take the first watch the coming ni^rht

It was nigh seven of the clock before the senorita
appeared. She had slept some, it seemed, though
brokenly, and was many times awake. She looked a
1. te worn which was not surprising, seeing what she
had been through, but was in moderately good spir-
its, and this was even better than I had feared, hav-
ing in m.nd her state the night before. We made
room for her aft, and Mac Ivrach threw off his coat
and bestirred himself to prepare breakfast. This
consrsted of a slab of cold boiled beef, some rye
bread, a roasted capon, and a little bag of grapes
for drink we had wine and a pannikin of hot spiced
a e (very good and grateful to our stomachs), which
Mac Ivrach cleverly prepared by unscrewing the top
o a anthorn, and so making a kind of furnace, over
which he heated it.

The meal went very well, Dona Carmen alone eat-
'ng sparingly, and at the close we men got out our
pipes. The wind continued moderate and steadv
and there was no sail in sight, so we might for a
h tie take our ease. Dona Carmen showed no signs
of seasickness, somewhat to my surprise, but I after-
ward learned that she had been a good deal upon
tne v%-ater, so was quite seasoned.

The morning continued to advance, and there

■ i

254

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

was no mentionable change in the situation. After
a time Dona Carmen retired to her cabin (I suspected
that the poor soul had now come to the full thought
of her state and of her loss, for her countenance had
greatly fallen), and the rest of us dropped into a list-
less sort of discourse. The sun got higher, beating
down fiercely and making an almost intolerable glare
upon the water, and in this wise it drew on to noon.
At a little past eight bells we had dinner, and to this
the senorita came, driven out, also, I think, by the
heat, and looking dejected as well as weary. She
ate scarce anything, and when I would have given
her a word of cheer she made a motion to stay me,
and her eyes filled with tears.

I perceived that I had best let her alone, trusting
to time to mend her state, and so nodded kindly and
turned awav.

At last the long afternoon declined. The plain
reds of the quick tropic sunset showed in the west,
and the breeze dropped to a light stir. There was
still nothing new in our surroundings, or nothing
save what the falling into evening brought. The
former swell still rose and- sank, and beyond
us undulated black and glittering out to sea, and
from where it made a faint line on .the horizon
the cloudless evening sky grew bluer and arched
over to its union with the sunset colours. At all
points of the compass the seaboard was perfectly
clear. No sail, not even a bird, and certainly no
landfall. ^

We made the ordinary preparations for the night,
and at eight of the clock Mr. Tym sat down to the
tiller. Upon a little thought we had decided to have

MASTER ARDICK. BUCCANEER.

no more th,-,,, t«o watches, the first conti„uin>r to

Xltr-^rt't^^T'"^""'^''-'''^'^'''
^.^Mi 1 u } ^ ^'^° ^'''^" "^"0^1 the watches

>H n.ght. On this occasion it was arran^red that
the captain was to succeed Mr Tym

Fortunately that night, like the other passed

:c ::dtf7^ ^\'^y'^^^^ - ^^ --::;'

scanned the horuon, but there was nothing to be
seen, neither ship nor landfall. The cmtl nn
f-niri i,„ 4.1 4. ^ captain now

taere":re7:i:i; 7^ "^ ^'--^ ">^ ^••'•- »-' --

bu as ,et we managed to creep along. As the sun
got Ingher 1 contrived a little tilt for the seflor ta
-'c„,g,t of cloaks, and this she thankful; sli;S

repaid me for my pains.

We had dinner, and about two of the clock J re
.eved Mac Ivrach at the hehn. f did not t , nk to'
fetch any scrtttiny about, as I sat down, but th^
Scotchman, as he was stepping away, flung a glance

rr:rk'^'°"^-^'^^''''''™-''-'''^e^:
app^ehrsfvt'i;"'^''^"'--'^''^'' "'--■>-"'' ^•^■■'

"Aye," h» said with a little hesitation, "I wad be
thniking, a sail." '^

I sprang up at that, getting the full range of his
observatton. Truly enough, low down in the north
was a dim white speck.

ately of h.. mmd. The shape, though small, was

if^ I

256

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

; i I,

Clear cut and steadf.- ^ ...j .ould be nothing else
than the canvas of a ship.

Mr. Tym and the captain were forward in the
shade of the sail, but now, either perceiving or hear-
ing us, rose and took a look for themselves, and
immediately came aft.

" You think it suspicious to raise a sail in that
quarter ? " I said to the captain. I spoke guardedly,
fearing to alarm the senorita.

"Aye," he answered in the same key; ""it is all
odds that she comci, from Panama."

" Is ii as far wrong as that ? " I exclaimed, start-
ing. "I was suspicious of her direction, but no
more. T^ut, pray, are you quite persuaded of this?
For instance, may she not hail from some port far-
ther north?"

" I can not figure it -^o," said Sellinger, shaking
his head. '< We have b just cleared the bay, and
this sail 1. ., hes .air out of it. There is no port in
that quarter save Panama."

"And she i. clearly too large for one of the little
native fishern:en," put in Mr. Tym.

He seemed to speak wif^ his usual coolness, but
with a face grave for I im.

" It will no be la I ore we shall be sure of
her," said Mac Ivra. wh svas looking hard at the
speck. " We are raising her fast."

This was indeed evident, as I saw by ai. other
glance.

" Well, we can watch her for a bit, then," said
Sellinger, but with no abatement of his soberness.
"At least, we can be sure whether she is full on our
course."

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER. ^^^

could senarat. thl "^'^P^' ''"^ ^0°" ^^e

to be a r^n / """ "'"'''^- There seemed
un eaui °'r ° '""''"''• '<"• ""^"^ "' ^vice the

human LLt/'"^""' ""^"'"« ^° ^"^" "
uiuan ngiues. There was no telline her mfi ,i;„.

placed:: I '.^ ""'^ ■""• ^"^ '"- f- ^"^ had'dis.

With Which U,ey havl^de t ^ °"L rsp'So::
are more and more confirmed " ^ suspicions

since' """V?" Y" "'"'•" ' ^^"'l --eluctantly, "and

"B;;;;^.ens^.^'''"'^''''^^"^''-^'°«^^w

Wh,'h"'lt °"V' ■ "" '"'"'™ ""^"^^ ""= "^'"Shee.,
hand ^f ;;i '"' ""' '■^''l »"h a turn round my
hand, of a sudden grew slack, and on looking back I

' !■

'X.li.

258 MASTER AKOICK, IlUCCANKER.

found the sail waving and falling into folds. In our
close watch of the ship we had neglected the wind

winch had f.rst slowly decluK.d and now w J .•:
dently on the point of failing altogether

My companions instantly caught my'meaning.

Aye, that changes matters," said Selhnger with

a k.nd .ng eye. .« See, the ship begins to lag aLady.''

Ihere ,s hope,- said Mr. Tyrncalntly. «< SI e

wdl have to send a boat, and that, if we can not run

away from, we can fight."

" I think we should do both," said Sellinger with
one more look. « The ship we want to leave as fa
behuKl as we can, and the other will come when we

"! ^^^^'^^.?"- ^^' "« lower the sail and get o
the sweeps. **

^aff"j ''"'•' m'"'7 '"' ^" """ suggestion, and the
gaff was quickly down on the boom and he and Mac
Ivrach seated at the oars.

to J^'f ""'^"^"'^ • ^^^^ ''''^^ ^^y ^or the coast," he called

" Starboard it is, sir ! " I cried heartily and almost
cheerfully.

"Look again at the ship," said Mr. Tym who
was now standing just by me watcliing her '" Mv
eyes are not quite what they were once, and the light
IS a b.t unfavourable. Does she not begin to luff?
Aye, her head rides round."

''She is about to send a boat," I exclaimed a
moment after. '« I can catch the tremble of it
agamst the side."

"Ye be richt," said Mac Ivrach, whose eyes like
mme .^re good. '' A boat, and men in it ; aye', and
the flash o arms and armour."

MASTER AKDICK, HUCCANrKR.

"Then " said Mr. Tym composedly. - wc may as
well consider all doubt setfln,! v i • ^

supposed." "'^"^^ ^^'tltd. \onsh,p,swhatwe

Despite my resolution and late renewal of hone I

" We will hold on steadily and yet without tirin^
ourselves,- said the captain/ «< The f "t le't .?
draw those fellows from the ship the bette e^e
cally s.nce the wind may by and by spring u." '

Ih.s was clearly wise, and he went on to carry
TJ;:^ Pian, the boat astern of course continX,^

I' Well,- said Mr. Tym presently, <• I take it that
we have now reached the point wh;re we should h
cons derino- some nl-m t V •''liouid be

,..;ii , "^ , ^ • ^ '"^^'^" "f t'le fiirhtinc- It

11 need to be done with a measure of prec on" and
the more from our small numbers " ' ^

no Sr:;:,:^:: n;^ '- ^'7^^ ''--- --^^ ^-

was the manner o t ' l^f /'! -'"'^ ^"^^^'^^^
from what any of us mu t Z f\ ! """ "°^ ''''
was it that we'cou d ex.e . rr\'"V^'"^ ''''
wretches.. Moreover, t'e ,," '"'^ f ''''''
senorita. ''''" ^'^^ Po«^ helpless

" Nay, do you go on and lay the ninn " cV i c r
msrer " Vr,,, ^ .. , -^ ^"^ P'an, said Sel-

""i-er. \ou are the better general T fni- v

Well.

s as we can.

said Mr. Tym, ^^•ith one of h

is collected

3' ' ^ m

260 MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

and intrepid smiles, "I confess that the prospect is
not much better than you put it. What say you,
Master Ardicic ? Have you any scheme to offer ? " '
" None," said I briefly and desperately. '' Station
me, and I will fight."

I* And you, Mac Ivrach ? " Mr. Tym proceeded.
"In the same boat wi' Maister Ardick, sir."
"We had best stop rowing," said Sellinger at this
pomt. ''In fact, I am a bit blown. Unship oars,
Mac Ivrach, and prepare to put your breath to
another purpose."

"It is time we armed," said Mr. Tym, rising

' Ardick, you will have to explain the matter to the

senorita, which is a harsh duty, but may not be

avoided. She must be cautioned as to lying low

when the bullets begin to fly."

" It is almost worse than the fighting to tell her "
I said with a sigh, " but, as you say, it must be
done."

I stepped along to the cuddy accordingly, and in
a tone which I made as commonplace as I could
spoke her name.

She instantly answered and parted the curtain.

I pitied her so that I could not easily command
my words, but after a moment managed to explain
what had happened. She bore the news better than
I had feared, though the colour very quickly left her
cheeks.

" I will obey you, senor," she said as I finished.
" I know that you and your companions are brave
and will beat off those cruel men, if it be possible.
You would have your weapons, and I will fetch
them."

MASTER AKD/CK. BUCCANEER. ^g,

them .ith the welron, ™"''' '"™'='^ "^^^^ '°

arte?': TnXT/Zl': P'^'"''; ^^ «°'-- Carmen,

CHAPTER XXVIII.

OF THE FIGHT WITH THE BOAT's PEOPLE.

It was idle to deny the desperateness of our situ
ation. A well-armed boat's crew to conVnW
and we numbering only four Td of tl t ^''"'''
well skilled in arms! Vo bV ' ^ M T '''''"
astonishing, fighter and I nn!l y^- ^7^ was an

t, "i^ucer, ana I understood the use of th^
sword beaer, perl.aps, than any bnt t„„ o" h, e o
Morgan s ent.re force, but yet this was oniya cir
cumsenbed matter, and one qnickly ai.e ed bv a
vell-a.med pistol shot. Yet two advanta.! fwe did

lul odds, rh.s was, first, the better target that the

zzrir'-i vr '■■^^ -^'' -'"■ --^ t

But desperate or ofh^r^ujcp p,,- ., .
-olved thing, and wh.ev;:: o"."; l^Wn^T;:

262

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCAx\EER.

went with hardy coohiess about it. Our plan, of
necessity, was rather simple. We were to take our
stations a little way apart, thus securing room for
fighting, and were to withhold our fire tilfthe enemy
were close upon us, when we were to rise and deliver
a volley. After that we were to proceed as circum-
stances and our judgment warranted. Luckily we
were well provided with firearms, having brought
away, besides our former weapons, not fewer than
four large and three or four small pistols. These
we had easily obtained from the great number of
such weapons lying about, and had secured with
them a bag of bullets and a little case of powder.
This first business attended to, we proceeded to put
on our cuirasses and headpieces (which we had
hitherto discarded, owing to the heat), and tried our
swords, to be sure they were easy in the scabbards.
Mr. Tym likewise unscrewed the cap of his arm
dagger.

All this we managed with the former sort of cool-
ness, yet by littles ceasing to talk, as indeed was
natural under so great a strain. The buccaneers'
boat drew on apace, and at last began to cut a clear
shape, as she rose on the swells and we got the
measured flashes of her oars. It was now time that
Dona Carmen should retire (for there was no tell-
ing how soon the opening bullet might flv), and I
crossed over to her and told her so, she consenting,
though with a long breath and a sad little clasping
of the hands that seemed to me most pathetic. I
said what I could to hearten her (God knows it was
little, and that, with the best resolution I could mus-
ter, but hollowly spoken), and returned lo my former

MASTER ARDICK. BUCCANEER.

263

place, my spirits lower, I think thin .f

since the buccaneer had ho e n s ^1 t Th "' '"'

pistol's oe ai:; h" -™'"i?'^-' was ahnos, within

ler creu bi.e seemed to be an ordinary siiinV Ion„
boat „,g„ as big as t.,e s,.,op, and by su'ch '\ "fj

nuL reuer than fourteen or fiffP^n ...
We u-ere now Iceeping entire silence -,'d th.

o,:.:Crr^yfv'-''-r"-'^-lhs:e.^

. - "-"n^ses. Mr. lym made a sjcrn to us inrl cfiii

nimk scaice any moment in my life comes barl- fl

me more clearly than this~I mean as If oT ,
uhirh „-.,^ ,,. -^ '"^^n as 1 took my pace

\\iiich uas amidships, and nremrml f^ y l'^^^,

drawing near of the boat A l h . ^''"' ''^'

ms?

planks

tt my

feet-

ill

a strange minuteness at that

sed place in the sheath-
seemed to come out with
moment.

.ii.

264 MASTER ARDICK BUCCANEER.

But yet this was only, as it might be, with the
passing of a breath. It was but a prank of the
mind, laying hold, as I suppose, in a kind of startled
or quickened apprehension upon all things that the
eye at the moment caught, and vanished as I cast
the next look astern.

There the coming boat was clearer than ever to
be made out, its double row of oars steadily flashing
and falling. ^

It continued to grow, and shortly I could resolve
the figures of the men, and could perceive a quicker
play of light on their arms and harnesses, which I took
to mean that they were making some stir of prepara-
tion. A bit nearer, and the fellows in the bow be-
gan to screw their heads about and look over their
shoulders, and as the stern uptilted on a swell I per-
ceived one man rise and fetch a long stare at us
They were yet too far off and the boat too unsteady
to be sure of faces, but I took this person to be
Towland.

I glanced at Mr. Tym, wondering whether he
was for giving some challenge or hail but it seemed
not, or else he would be waiting a little longer for
he made no sign. '

The man that I had taken to be Towland now
sat down, but with the strokes that immediately fol-
lowed the boat had drawn some fathoms nearer
and with that, as it seemed of a sudden, the differ'
ent faces on board came out. The man in the stern
sheets was indeed Towland, and besides him I per-
ceived Captain Blyte, Paul Cradde and several of
the different gangs.

T.here was now no time to lose if we would in

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER. ^g,

T''/Tu''f'^'' '"' "'"y >^-"« ^too^t upon us In
deed I had already lo„ked for some openi t' .hoT
wh.ch perhaps only a fear of harming the La fv r '
men had deterred them from gi™/ ^Kever th^et

n s;oT? u """"'' " ''"°''' '^'^ ''^"d holding a
pistol, and his air unmoved ^

gan^o^wb'"';':,'? °' ""= «PP™-hi„g boat be-

>e Tarf- tirrrr,f rir::~ -

eavy craft forged sluggishly do™ 'u'po-'on? „ ",

"ic. IhTuted": ''"' '""'''"' '''"• ^"^ '" ''^ ha-h

" Sloop ahoy ! "

''^BTJr,l! f ■ ^^^ ™'^ '!"'^"y '° h- feet,
■uoard the boat ! "

"Do you surrender '"

;; What will you do with us if we comply."
judge you!^ ""' ^°" '''''' ^"^ "'organ shall

do :;i^;ih:td';f"™='*'^-"^"-'"'^. "-'■>-

Towland appeared to hesitate. "She sh-dl „„►
need to complain," he said at last ■" Tf ..

Jnow, Captain Biy. and I m^a^ -l./L-^r

a..::^:::f;rs;:s:7^i::ri^^r;^

It m:n' hp fiiQ 1^ J ■ "^ ""' 'lot do.

ma, be the lady .s something over particular -

»enl'-'rCt;d^; :--;-,:' -for a mo.

ansivpr ^M, 1 ^ *■" ^"^eciit this audacious

=iyt.;rk;ro,:rti.:i"".^v^-'--.

way.

! «

i ,

*',

I -

let

faU. and gav(

Il^,

2G6

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

" Now ! " cried Mv. Tym, whirling upon us. " Up
and fire ! "

Promptly enough we responded. As Towland
gave his sign we thrust forward our weapons stead-
ied them while one's pulse might give a single beat
and fired. '

" Down ! " shouted Mr. Tym again.
We all dropped, and no sooner so than five or six
pistols banged in response, and at least one ball
buried itself with a spiteful cA//g jn the boat.

We scrambled up, drawing our swords and re-
maining pistols, and as the smoke lifted were able to
see what we had done.

Both bow oarsmen were gone and in a little space
amidships, piled up in a shining kind of bundle, was
one of the fellows in armour. All passed, as it were
at a glimpse, for the smoke was hardly up and we
ready in our places before the other fellows at the
oars gave a few furious tugs, and their bow came
churning up to our quarter.

We stood fast with our last pistols, and as the
oars rattled in and the boat's nose forged past, we
fetched swiftly to bear and let go.

Some one shouted, and I Thought there was a
crash, as though at least one fellow had gone down
but before the smoke had fully cleared their bow
ground along our side and the boat's length of them
balanced themselves for the spring aboard.

From here I lose nigh all but my own personal
part of the business. I know that the nearest fellow
came first to Mr. Tym, and received a swift under-
stroke that whipped the whole side of his neck open
and thereupon fell backward, and i believe aisJ

MASTER ARDICK. BUCCANEER. ^^^

that the next man made a fierce but ill-j„dged thrust
at the captam, but beyond this I have no c ea'
thought of the general doing. ^^'

seemed m 7 °''" P''''°""'' ^^'^'■'"^' ^^e first that
seemed to happen was tint a r^ri f a

It me ' ""'^ """ "^"^ ^ fierce slash

I met the blow with a strong guard and ih„„
upon, very swiftly stooping, i g^f a da i„g fcTnd
of thrust, upon which my weapon was checked some
where ,„ hi„, and he dropped out of s. Then a'
blow-luckily not heavy-liirhted o„ ™ t

r r :fe ^" ^-f ^ °' ^^^^t^s:^

■ne, and the next that comes clear is that I was
strngghng to free my arm from some one's gra,n Tnd
hat I e.t a hard knock on my breastpiec ,'s th^ulh
a sword or dagger ponn had struck there

I made a full recovery of my senses with that

It was the negro Gabriel who was gripping mv

sword arm, and he it was who had dealt me th7b,"J

doubtless a.med at another spot) that I had ta en

luckdy on my cuirass. No one else seemed to be

str.vmg w,.h me, and indeed the negro himsel was

between me and most of the others, he having forred

me, .t seemed, back toward the rail. There was „f

t.me for aught but desperate action, mTic ft side

dTgYe7"f:T'n' '" -y'^f'hand was still my^
dagger I had not forgotten a certain trick, learned
a ong,h,re, and, without in the least strnggl „g '
free my arm, I set my feet suddenly, ferching Z
both ,0 a standstill, and before he cou^d ,n he leas
guess my purpose I, et fly a low but powerful Wck

268

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

jit( i j. i

I can not say whether the shin-bones of a negro are
of the tenderness that is said, but I do know that Ga-
briel gave an agonized yell, and instantly released my
arm. His hand was already lifted, with his knife
in It, but that business went with the pain, and he
let go the weapon and ran ducking backward, cra-
dling the leg in his locked fingers. I stayed not to
give him time to recover. My sword now free, I
made a quick dash and let go a vengeful thru'st.
The point took him fair in the midst of his broad
breast, and he gave a kind of bellow and thrashed
instantly forward and to the deck. So quick and
peculiar was his fall that I had no time to withdraw
my blade, and it snapped short off close by the hilt.
Considerably dismayed, for it was a poor time to be
disarmed, I let fall the useless hilt and jumped back-
ward. I had scarce alighted when something gave
a hard bump and rolled to my feet, and thereupon
uncurlmg-I can describe the motion no otherwise
—I perceived it to be the maimed and bloody figure
of Towland. He was no more than before me when
there came a surge of tangled fighters, both Mr
lym and the captain in the midst, and like a straw
before their impact, I was flung staggering back
whereupon, bringing up at the rail, I could not, de-
spite a desperate scramble, save myself, and 4ent
over backward and into the water !

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

269

CHAPTER XXIX.

OF THE END OF OUR DESPERATE FIGHT.

to the surface ' '"'^ P''^'^^ ^"'^kly

nrnKU recurneu me to the surface with mea^

forward deck, f.fd brotht o ba°v! "''' '" '"^

holding off ,he whole crowdh^g 'pL'k !" ™^ ^'^'^<'">'

-f.:.rc;:re"ir^t'irrf:'---.r

"Iddelete^; mV-^ ^^.f^""'-'- ^^ -
hi. Hea., .0 .e decT '^Z r^ Jve"f

closed my eyes. "^ ^'"'^^ °"t ^"d

I opened them again when M^o «
shout, followed h. . L„!, ; '". '^'^. ''^' ^ S^'-eat

starinor that

ed by a hard bangln^; of

of Captain Sell

way I saw tl

steel, and or

le uprisen and bloody ha-
nger, his sword in his hand, and thi

ure
ee

: i,.
f t '*

270 MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

of the buccaneers in full retreat before him. T looked
hastily to see what had become of Mr. Tym, but to
my surprise he was still lying where Cradde had flung
him, Cradde himself being nowhere to be seen It
was all barely before my eyes when the three bucca-
neers, as though recovered from their panic and
ashamed of flyn.g before one man, fetched to a halt
and with a few heavy cuts and thrusts forced the
captain to a stand. I tried to rally my wits, for it
was surely time I was taking my part in this busi-
ness, nnd, with a few paddling strokes, striving to
com, t,; „he strength and naturalness of my limb:^ I
let nr.f rr.ward the sloop. I had little fear of being '
shot at, hy the three buccaneers, even if they noticed
me, for, as they were using only their swo/ds against
the captain, it was clear they had no loaded flrearms
and, besides, the volleys of the entire company had
all along been light, as though none but the leaders
had been provided with pistols. This, indeed, I had
already guessed .the cause of, Towland and Blyte
fearing for the safety of Dona Carmen.

I pushed on boldly, then, only fearing lest the
captain should not hold out, and gradually drew to-
ward the dipping stern of the sloop. She had drifted
some little distance away in the time that I had been
in the water, and, with my heavy armour and wet
clothing, I could make but slow progress, so that it
was some seconds before I was finally close. In that
time the captain saw me, as did the buccaneers, and
while the former gave a joyous shout and waved his
sword, the three men swore and looked irresolutely
at one another.

*' Fling me the slack of the sheet," I called out,

MASTER ARDICK. DUCCANEER. ^/I

^^ntr;:;:;^^'^^^^^^"- ^ P—e. there was'no

P"^'. ^^iHch showed that it was fast, and bcL^-u o
draw myself up. ' '^^'^'^ ^^

Mas Ion the rack menially, but the physical strnin
of l.f>.ng my wet and armoured body from he t

vas almost more than my weakened' muscle;:" d
stand. Once I was on the verge of slinninir h„-i,
b"., «ith a desperate and almost sav^T' ',, I'f :'

sta,ed me. Agam up I crawled, and at last I could
reach an arm over the rail, Now I thought he d

Musterinsr the remnanfc ^f "'-"^"iist.

J, LUC lemnants of my streiunh I mTdp •.
supreme effort, and with one able Hound rtZbed
over the ra.l and fell into the sternsheets

voice 't'"' '"'"""" ' '""P"^'" ^"d f="nill^r
voice. I was commg to bear a hruid but a w-~!

■ng from this inconvenient cut got into m; eyer^id

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2']2

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

hindered me. I believe that settles all, and quite to
our minds! "

" Thank God ! " I righted myseif and burst out
" Is it indeed you, Mr. Tym, and has everything gone
so gloriously ?"

I got to face him with the words, and though still
dizzy and weak, was able to determine the whole
excellent matter for myself.

It was quite as he said. The last buccaneer in
arms had disappeared, and above the prone bodies
the senorita was looking from the cuddy, and Mac
Ivrach was just by, getting the steadiness of his legs.
The only hurt that showed upon him was an incon-
siderable bruise near the top of his forehead.

Turning back, then, to Captain Sellinger, who
had previously seemed so severely dealt with, I was
delighted to find that he showed no more thin two
or three superficial wounds. The greatest was a
cut down one side of his head, which had made con-
siderable blood run and given him his first shock-
ing appearance. I noted, however, that his steel
breastpiece was severely battered, as though it had
pretty certainly protected him from more sinister at-
tempts, and his pot-helmet, which lay on the deck,
was split in twain at the crest.

_ I finished my inspection with Mr. Tvm, but now
with less anxiety, for I had seen in the first hasty
glance that he had been but lightly dealt wich.
A cut across the ^rehead. which h?d caused the
dripping of blood he had mentioned, but which A/as
manifestly not deep, seemed the extent of his hurts.
As soon as might be I meant to ask him how he had
managed his deliverance, and in what fashion he had

MASTER ARCICK, BUCCANEER. ,7,

turned the tables on Cradde, but just now a still
more pressing quesdon remained .0 be answered
lh,s was, of course, what had become of the es of
the buccaneers, and how far it was certain we wl^e
done w,eh them. It will be understood :har" t^jT
termmafor. of my companion's injuries required" but'
a moment, and, in fact, took no longer than while I
was gettn,g the steadiness of my head after tumbling
"to the Doat. I now found some strength Tn Z
iegs, and w,th a lurch managed .0 gain my feet look
•ns eagerly over the rail as I dfd so and was at'

z: tI;: b'' ''' ''""' -"'"-""^"'with x

saw. llie buccaneers boat hsH a. -.* a
off !in,i „„t ■ floated some way

off, and not a soul was in it, though in the water
were three swimmers making languidly tow,- rd it
Some fathoms out, in the direction of the becalmed
sh.p, »^s a dark object-probably a corpse-and a„
oar and a m.n's hat floated near, but otherwise the
neighbourhood was vacant.

It was so sharp and absolute a change that for a
moment I could scarce make it clear in my mind and
stood startng over the rail. But presently my com
pan,ons began to speak, and this brought me ba"k
omy balance, and I turned again to them The
senonta was coming out of the cuddy, and I clam
bered over the bodies to her and drew Ler .0 a liWe"
open space where she could stand

She was woefully pale, yet seemed in a brave wav
control herself, though she broke down for a b^
as I steadyingly pressed her hand

" Praise God, all is over, dear lady " I said
Yonder are the miserable relics of the foe It fa
t.me such as I never thought to see and live, but i!

274 MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

in the most blessed manner ended. Very quickly we
shall ship the oars and be on our way."

" Your words seem like an angel's, senor," she
said, trying to command her voice. "After all that
has happened, I can scarce think or reason. Ah,
but it was horrible! The cries and the blows, the
scraping of dying 'men's feet, and the jarring of the
falling bodies! And above all was the suspense!
Oh, that suspense, senor, and in especial at the last !
But I must not think of it, only to thank you— you
and your brave companions. You are such heroes
as I believe are not elsewhere in the world ! "

" Nay, senorita, you praise us beyond our merits,"
I answered deprecatingly. (In truth, I felt a thri'll
of pleasure at her words.) " We did, I grant, make
a pretty sturdy fight, but beyond that there is no call
for praise. Having undertaken your defence at first
we could not afterwar. ve as very poltroons,'
abandon you, and in our o\. a behalf we did but pre-
fer the sword or bullets to torture."

But she would not have it so, and insisted that
we had first risked all in delivering her from the
castle, and that this was a piece of heroism to match
it, adding (to r.iy surprise) that she knew we had
refused to deliver her to Towland. " I peeped from
the cuddy and saw," she explained. " Yes, sefior it
was easy to understand, even though I did not know
a word that was said."

" Well, then, you may make a hero of Mr. Tym,"
I answered more lightly, "and, indeed, I am free to
say he deserves it. The rest of us did but obey his
commands."

I think our dialogue might have gone on a mo-

lickly we

ior," she
all that
)n. Ah,
ows, the
ig of the
Jspense !
the last !
ou — you
I heroes

n-«erits,"
a thrill
it, make
no call
at first,
itroons,
•ut pre-

ed that
om the
' match
ve had
:d from
5fior, it
t know

Tym,"
free to
)ey his

a mo-

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

ment or two longer, for I was quite satisfied to fare
so poorly ,„ the argument, when I saw that my com-

Ind iT.nT'?'' "■'"' "^••'""'"S ^='1= 'I'e bodies^
and I hastily broke off and joined them

boat, and were now puUing sluggishly toward the
sh.p, she hanging calm-bound as before

both for a sa,l and any eoming of wind, but per
ce,ved neuher, and without further delay feu'to

I should remark here that we might be suonosed
.0 have some fears lest the bucca.reer sho u d se '
anothe- boat, and th,s was at first true, but now e
had pretty well decided that she had despatched t e
sole one she had, a thing the more credible as she
must have sailed at exceeding short notice.

We stood on no ceremony in disposing of the
bod,es tne captain merely stopping to strip one of a
helmet to take the place of his own broken one
w ,ch don , we tumbled the remains hastily over the
ra,b A few buckets of water were then drawn and

ttlZ" t" "'*' '""^ "^^ di^^igreeable business

as ended We had already determined to run the

sloop for the coast, for if the wind did not spring up

avounng the ship, or if it did and she did not choose

o pursue, we could then fetch out ; but if she should

follow we could hope to beat her to the coast

Mr. Tym and the captain had already tied up
«>e,r wounds, Mac Ivrach's needing no atte,«ion, and
when the boat was ready the Scotchman and I sat
down to the oars. We were in no case for hard

ifi

276 MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

work, but desired to be making a start, it being un-
cenam, indeed, how long this favouring calm would

CHAPTER XXX.

OF THE STRANGE AND EXCELLENT
OUR FORTUNES.

MENDING OF

.Jl T '"' ''"'" '° "'^' '^^ ^"^f^ce of the water
and therefore commanded no great range of distance
t seemed a long time that we were dropping the
buccaneer. But at last we sank his hull a' d then
his lower sads, and finally the topgallants dwarfed
to an insignificant speck on the sea line. The day
was by this time nearly spent, and the even reds of
the tropic sunset began to flush the west A fair
weather paleness of blue appeared above these
colours, and the sky coming down to it darkened
without clouds, presaging stars and calm as on the
previous nights.

We were near enough now, as I thought, to make
out the coast, and I asked Mac Ivrach to give over
covving while I took an observation. I proved to be
nght, for distinct on the eastern boundary was a
dark, well-marked line.

By this time the Scotchman and I were prettv
weary-he, indeed, hardly able to wag the heavy
oar-and I proposed a short rest. Mr. Tym and
the captain offered to spell us, but I objected— I
was specially mindful of Mr. Tym's infirmity and
of his present state, which must make the task too
great,_and in the end the sloop was suffered to drift

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

^77

My companions now had an opportunity to see

o their wounds, and it was found that Mr lU'!

long cut and the gash over the captain's ear ne ded

wife, and though it was now nearly dark I crot out
:rr,eo.' needle a„. „„,.,eU /o .0 a .^ Z

This ended, we concluded to have supper there
bcng no ,m„,ediate danger and we standing ,^ need
of refreshment after what we had been throLh

Mac Ivrach accordingly got out the provisions
and opened a bottle of wine, and we fell to 0"
appetues not seemingly m„ch affected by our t;yinl

Tymto tell me how he had escaped fromCradde-
.kew.se what had given the buccaneers their finll'
fright, causing them to quit the boat

"A very short story," he answered, "It might
almost be summed up by saying that our friend
Cradde was careless. You see, he flung me to the
deck and drew his knife, having dropped h s sword
as he closed, and bent over me to end my o bles
I. as ,t chanced, had cleared my arm dLger and
when he thoughtlessly stooped over r Zf^'/
and did that for him he had il T/ , '"^ "^
;n>en one of the other^'el'rs'^r: o^Ja^r °m'raTd
^mrn ll r^ ^^ ' " '°=^ ^^^ "'" "^
Pnued up „"■ fe^hed-rsctl':,,- 2™ -

lrmped":;:ert'r^"^;^;ri:ii:",'°r^«-^

the matter, except thalTh::; o^r on : to^'^lb::
Paul Cradde showed further his inconsiderat^iss by

2/8 MASTER ARDICK, DUCCaXEER.

fetching such a jump, as I prodded him, that he fell
m-erboard. I can not be certain, therefore, whether
1 killed him or he drowned."

"Well, and certainly it was a great escape," I
sa.dw.th a long breath. "Aye, and very like for
us all, for had you not despatched Cradde there is
no saynig what would have happened. I fear M.c
Ivrach and I would have appeared too late on the

mtd.'ed'"'^ '''' ''^''''" "''"" ^^"^'^^°"^^'>' -ver-

"True and I was," admitted Sellinger, -though
I showed as bold and fierce a front as I could "

We discussed the matter a little further, and all
vvxre of a mind that we came almost miraculously
off. Indeed, but for such wonderfully favouring
circumstances as the buccaneers' weakness in fire
arms and the too great crowding of their boat-
causing them to hamper one another at the last and
making them good targets-we should almost cer-
tainly have come by the worse.

This discourse over, we turned to the more im-
portant matter of the present situation. After a
little we concluded to keep on for a while with the
oars. We would head south, taking care to fetch
nearer rather than farther from the coast, and by
his course would constantly better our case, whether
the calm held or no.

This decided on, and the captain and I having
shipped the oars, we got cur clumsy little vessel
once more in motion. We pulled on steadilv, the
calm still holding, and continued, I should say, for
above two hours. The captain then thought we
might in safety give over, and we did so, havin-

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER. ^ya

covered better than four miles, I ,l,e„ persuaded

he se„or,ta to go to her cabin, promising to a , htr

'f here were an alarm, which done, we arrang d tl e

watc,,es.^ and a„ but Mr. T,m, who had ^^,

bree^t',"'^'",'"''"' ''"'"'^- ^"o"' ^""^i^e a little
breeze brought a wrinkle on the water, and we ran
"P onr sad. By si. of the clock we had way e,ou^h
o he boat to exceed our speed with the oa" 'd
w.th tins we were very well satisfied, ^^•e drove
a ong .gluly that day, getting a little more Wi'd In
the afternoon, still from the right quarter i I h
mghtfall reckoned that we had made' sornkv" and'
th.rty m.les. We continued to keen the rl T
sight though now at a greater dit.ale as" a.^
gar from the buccaneer decreased. Matter bein.
thus so qu,et, I thought it a favourable time oh ve
a httle talk with the sehorita, some tb,,.;, which
she was concerned standing to be settled especially
her future plans. I went forward, there ore o
Where she sat. '

"Well, senorita," I began, "we are so far out of
we sha 1 have no more cause for worriment, and it

mltrs H " '° '"'^ " ""'^ "-""S'" "P™ '""-
matters. Have you yet any plans made, as where

yon mean eventually to go or whom you wish to
commun,cate with? I„ especial, have you friends
in this part of the country y

" Alas ! " she said sadly, " now that my poor uncle

h ve a '7 ^°"'' '"' ™^ ^"'°- ^-«i- 'ha. can
have any mterest m me. He is another uncle-mv
mother's brother-who lives in Havana, in .heVv"st

280 MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

Indies I do not know, indeed, if he be still alive, for
he had planned to come this season to visit us, yet
for a considerable time we have not heard from him "
That, said I, .. is a matter we can compass
You shall presently write him a letter, and I will see
that he receives it. Aye, and I may be going to
Havana myself. I was bound there when the mutiny
occurred and our ship was lost, and it is as like a port
for me now as any."

''You keep me always in your debt," she said
with a grateful look. " Well, I will write it, and we
will see in what manner it may be sent."

"Then one thing more," said I, -and I trust you
will pardon me for speaking of it. You have no
money, and it is an ill thing to be left among
strangers with an empty purse. Have you those at
Buenaventura or elsewhere who will supply your
present needs?" ^^ ^ ^

She smilingly shook her head.

" Nay, senor, I know no one at those places. Yet
let not hat give you concern, for all will go safely
and well with me. No home will be closed a^ls^
me when I shall have told my story " ^

strair"J .^r^n ""t ^'"' ^'°" "-^^"^^^ ^° that
strait, I said rather hastily. •« That is, it is a pity

that one in your station should come to it We
hree friends have a little money, and out of it you
shall take enough to answer your present wants. So
much we shall insist upon."

"Certainly we shall not quarrel about that " she
said with a smile, the water nevertheless starting to

n,!' 7r\u " ^ P''"^"' '^'''' '' "° ''^y ^^' that you
must do the utmost for me."

MASTER ARDICK. BUCCANEER. 28 1

"Pray take no thouirht of if" t .n- 1 u •.
♦' Wp Tr/^r^h.; f . ^ ' ^ said hasti y.

interested in c ^'^^^""^ ^"^ somewhat

mterested in shipp.ng, it is not unlike that C-intain
Sellinger may know him." '-aptain

; Jeremiah Hope ? " I cried in surprise - Whv
that IS an English name. Is it ooJ\Z\u . ^'
mother was English ?" ^ ^ '^^^ J'^"^

"By blood, yes," she answered, smiling -'But
Spanish, or rather Cuban ofherwiL / u
born and reared in Havanl." '' '"' ^^^ '''''

^ " ^o^^ i call this a bit of news " I said wifh r ,
interest. "So vou are th. 7 ^ said ^Mth lively

woman > ThJc / k '''"'^ ^' "^^ country-

your hair, wh.ch I have all along thought rather pv
traordinary tor a Spaniard. But Te em Ih h I
I suppose I must be wrong, yet-nay iTh'n, Tu'"
heard the name. Let us see wL. fh I ^"""^^

say. Captain Sellin^l " TeaTle o^L^^tyt^^^^^^
iTvesTltr" "" -^ ^-^

«n a httle surprise, "no acquaintance, but he is the
person to whom I am carrying the letter. I m4'
Captain Torrycorn's letter"

heard T ^"^^^"^'^ ^'^^^ ^^ «^e. Of course I had
heard the name, and it was a wonder T had not
recognised it before. I hastened to explain thy I

;f| !|

282 MASTER ARDICK. BUCCAN'EER.

iKid asked the question, and added what the sertorita
had previously told me.

Naturally my companions were as greatly sur-
prise as I. and we all agreed that we'had seldom
heard of a more smgular circumstance.

" Then," said Sellinger, as we concluded, " it may
come to .t.that we shall carry Mr. Hope hi niece as
well as h.s letter, for otherwise it woulS be much t e
same as cutting her adrift."

" '["! ''^'''^\ ^ ^^'y amen," said I very heartily. At
other times I had been wont to let Mr. Tym speak
first, but now I did not wait. '

Both Mr. Tym and Mac Ivrach, as might be ex-
pected, were prompt to agree with us

"This being our decision." said I, greatly pleased.
Ml make it known to the sefiorita. She can no
rail to be relieved by it."

I returned to her with the news accordingly, and
had the great satisfaction of finding her as Te ;iced
and heartened as I had anticipated. Indeed, she was
deeply moved and grateful, and in her touching man-
ner of saying so fairly brought the tears to my eves

Ih.s matter, then, being so well settled, we ad^
dressed ourselves anew to the business of continuing
he voyage. We had decided, as I should say here
to run first for Buenaventura, which Sellinger thought

From there, should need require, we could make a
further voyage in the boat, but we hoped to light
upon some way of continuing in a larger craft
Once m one of the important southern ports and we
could not fad to find a ship sailing to the Atlantic
Side of the continent.

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

283

The next day and the next passed without inci-
south. I he third day something rather imnorti.u
happened, for the wind, which had'hither ^ I'

almost dead from the southwest, and at once reduced

our speed at least three parts In fact Jifh
chr^ii u 1 I . ■ . i "I i.->. lu lacc, With our

hoal keel and h>gh bow we could mak; no more
than a knot an hour. This was rithpr rU..
K„f fu . • ^^ rather discouracfinc

bu the caplan, sa,U it was to be anticipated for Ife
l.ad now come to the region where there were pre
va,ln,g southwesterly and southerly wi, d and
hese, we should find, continued to' the ec'uator
Ih,s was more philosophical than comfortin. but we
con d do no otherwise than make the best of it and
o the noon of the third ciay drew on, I was at the

out a k,nk ,n the mainsheet, when, ha|,penin,r tf
glance to wmdward, I saw that whic in tant ly^sus
pended my operation and brought me w h a leap
to my feet. Low down on the water hne, but per'
tect,y^d,stn,ct, was the white, unmistakable can'vas

as thouth TJ^fn'" " ''"""^ '°°^- •"« b^'ed out,
as though had been at the masthead, " Sail ho -

shol ''""^ ""' '"' ^° """y P"PP^«- i" a

togetre'r."' '""' ' " """ "'^ ^^^P'^'" =•"" ^ac Ivrach

Mr^ Tym, who was on the other side of the boom
scrambled under, and we all stood in a group '

Yonder. I said, pointing at the speck. "Thank
God, she ,s not from the direction of Panama - "
«9

284 MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

; ^^' she can not be a buccaneer, coming from
hat quarter," said the captain, with a breath of re-
lief.

Mr '7^^ ""'w ^''?? '" '° ^^^^'•"^'"e her course," said
Mr. Tym. " Would we had a glass ' "

Ivrlr^'^^^'Z "''^''' "P '" patience," observed Mac
Ivrach, whilk IS no a satisfactory substitute "

We agreed with him, and sat down to wait for the
unresolvable speck to grow.

Very slowly as it seemed to our impatience, it

welled and w.tened. At last we got the square of

the upper sails, and could be sure she was brund

our way. She was coming down exactly before the

wind.

A few minutes more and we had lifted the fore
course and then slowly raised the shieldlike figure
of the hull. As our post of observation was so low
above the water this brought her comparatively near

teatures She was a large ship, with the tall bows of
a craft o southern Europe, say of Spain or Italy, and
was displaying no flag or other ensign

'' I suppose," said Mr. Tim, spe.king with that
composure which scarce ever forsook him "that
we are of one mind what we should do. Our case
though not a desperate one, is undesirable, and it
would be better to try to mend it by boarding this
ship-that IS, if she will receive us."

We looked at one another, but there was no con-
trary opinion.

vourllT'"Ur Mr. Tym, ''say you put down
her oil!" Ardick, and we lay our course to cut

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER. ^85

"Very well," said I, and I accordingly tacked
and^fetd.ed the sloop as near as she wou^Ct?'

The ship was now so near that we coiiIH h, • .
make out human figures, and also ge ZllZT
size and rig. She was of eight hundred fn I
sand tons burthen, we,, spar'red,,:, t.m „T
and seemed freshly painted '

tain":or::f'tHe"s::j;i:vr^-''::v^-^p-

affixed it to t,,e end of an oar 7 ^i , . " ""^
Pis.0,s and succes.ive,r,rthe™ 'rmr

"ditrro^rtLi^gr It;: r 'r " ^^ "^

" She sees ns ' il, I *" ^' "" "'^''^«-

cried Selhnger ' ^ " '''°'" '° "'^^'^ "" '°P-i V

This joyful news proved trup it ^ ^ ^
single pun at the shee't and'a thn,st' f f t1 eT 'nd'

or the ,ast time. " Aye, twig the black wood in her
lower spars and the straight lines of her poop . B^
what ,s her name ? She seems to have a ki^S of gi
flymg fish for a figurehead." ^

"It maun be an ange,_the figurehead" =.n
swered Mac Ivrach, " though wi' some e efi g o' h"
pett,coat, or whatever, and her name is th'esln!

r ortL"::'':? iir.^ri-A'^-^ .^-p «- -ving.

said.

ship's bow before much

more could be

A short, black-bearded

i l»

I 'Bi

I !l

% 1

man, in a rough jacket

286 MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

and long boots, swung himself up to the fore-shroud
and hailed us. Truly enough, the words were Span-

" Sloop ahoy!"

;; 'Board the ship ! " I bellowed back. - We are
in distress ! "

He took a short look before he answered again
'You may board. Drop aft and stand by for a
Ime. ^

"There is a woman with us!" I shouted once
more. ''Will you not take her in at the chains?"
He made a gesture as though of surprise.
" Aye. Lay up to the main chains."
I gav-e the sloop the trifling way she required,
and luffed agam just off the midships bulwark This
was now lined with heads.

Some men came running that way, the officer's
voice sharply directing them, and at once the fakes
of a line shot out and fell across our fore deck
Mac Ivrach was there to receive it, and with a good
turn we were at last connected with the ship An-
other line followed, and two sailors dropped into the
chains to handle it. I hurriedly explained to Dona
Carmen what the design was, and secured her in the
loop of u. We had only to wait for a favourable
moment and the men safely drew her up. Mr Tym
Captain Sellinp-er, and Mac Ivrach followed, and I
made a bundle of our effects and came last. It was
with a feeling of profound relief and thankfulness
that I finally swung over the bulwark and dropped
upon the deck. ^^

There were as many as threescore people stand-
ing about. Other than the sailors there "were six

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

287

or eight men and as many women that were very
wen dressed, and nearly all that were talking seemed
o be employing good Castilian. Not many were of
the swarthy type of Spaniard.

As I jumped off the rail the captain shouted to
his first officer to fill away, and then turning to me

tht h '.\^ "'^"' ''"' "°' ^^'■^^ ^°"^ ^hat it was
hat had happened to us, and what we were doing in
these parts. ^

" Those questions and others I will gladly an-

swer, I said, touching my hat, -but first I beg

hat you will care for this lady, who is not alone

fatigued, but stands otnerwise in need of your hos-

He looked at me, as though not expecting such a
precise and perhaps well-chosen answer, but after a
moment answered civilly :

" Very well, senor, that is not unreasonable I
will see what may be done "

and^^i^^^t '° '^" ""^ °^ ''^'' ^"^ ^"^'^"^ ^vomen
and said, with a rough sort of salute •

'' You have heard the seiior, ladies. Are there
for her r-"^ '''" ''^' ''''' '^'^ ^'^ ^^"^^^^^ -"^ care
gethef '''" '^''''^ ^ '^°''" generous voices to-

With which they pressed forward and with south-
ern warm-heartedness flung their arms about Dona
<^armen, and almost carried her away.

"And now, senor, we will overhaul you a bit " re-
sumed the captain. -But first, as to your boat Is
si^ie worth preserving? If she is no better than she
looks, I care not to tow her very far."

288 MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

'' First bear with me till I have asked a question "
I answered. " Whither are you bound ? "

;; 1°' P^"^"^^." he replied, a trifle impatiently

there p'' '""""'"■' '"'^ ^'^'>^' ">^°" ^''' ^^^^cego
there ; Panama is m the hands of the buccaneers ' ''
Z>/a./../ what say you .^ " he cried, startin;r
In the hands of the buccaneers-of the EnHi h .f"
ra^os^ Nay, it can not be! Ma.re ,e 1>Z'' ^"
Those standing about caught the words and a
great st:r followed. Several pressed for ward and
without further regarding the captain began t'o a k
eager questions, ahd some furiously swore In the
mulst of the hubbub a stout, sturdy, gray-haired Van
with a fresh complexion and very well dresseS'
pushed his way to the front tressed,

tative^rashL?"^^^'-"'^'^^''" ' blunt, authori-
latguage " ' "' "^^^"^ ^^ ^^^^^ - ^hat

"I am," I hastily answered. "Thank God that
you seem to be, also ! " ^

"And this thing that you were telling.?" he went
on, Ignoring my exclamation. " Is it true that Pana-
ma ^is in the hands of the buccaneers ? "

"It is, sir," I said, more restrainedly. " The rifv
IS taken and sacked." ^"ecity

He drew a long breath

ask, he resumed, " but I will put the question. Did

LTes^"sh""r T''T "^ °"' '^""^ Carmen Gon-

zales .? She lived in Taboga."

My amaze at this question may be imagined
cried : '''°" '' ^ '"""^^ P"' "^^ '°"^"^ '^ ^^^ ^^'^^^ I

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

289

. " ^^^'^ • ^^''^y. sir, she is at this very moment
in >our cabin ! Indeed, and I do believe you must
be Mr. Jeremiah Hope ! "

*' In the cabin ? - he only exclaimed, as in won-
derment. "And is your companion who went be-
ovv she? Nay, but this almost passes belief
What, that poor tattered creature, and in man's at-
tire ! My God, what must she not have suffered ' "

"Yei she is well, sir," I said eagerlv, -and has
come out of that hell without scathe. Bu't you must
indeed, be her uncle."

"I am Jeremiah Hope," he said, with another
long breath, though now with a changed air " I
will go down at once," he went on. "But stay I am
exceeding grateful to you and your companions I
will say more of this anon. I am the owner of this
ship, and am glad that it is in my power to do some-
thmg for your present comfort.-Captain Telatrava "
he went on in Spanish, and speaking again authori-
atively, I desire that you have these senores be-
low and do all that may be done for their welfare
Shortly I will return and we will confer about the
course of the ship."

He gave us a kindly nod and made for the com-
panion, and in much wonderment and not a little
jumbled in my thoughts I turned and prepared to
follow the Spanish captain.

ill

290 MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

CHAPTER XXXI.

OF TWO I.MPORTANT INTERVIEWS.

The main cabin proved to be rather a small
place as „„st of the range athwartwise was ta^el

sTbstL::r'"?H """'""' ^" "^^ "•^" ««'" -^

substantial. I here were only a few passengers in

sight and those, by their pallor, recovering from

asicloiess; but a little way aft one cabin doVwa"

W and from withm came a lively sound of voices-

C:r,::f::e're"'^^'«"-^"'>-"^-H°P-ndra

,h.^Tu" J".''""™ i^d "s to two small cabins on
the starboard side, and told us that they were at the

ZT: m '''"• '-'^P'^'" Sellinger,' nd me and

hat he would give Mac Ivrach a comfortable berth

nveen.decks. He could do no better, he expldned

■n the rather crowded state of the shi^ '

We were only too glad to fare so well and told

.''"tmra"ft 'T'' ''' ^^^'"^ '°°'^' -" y
mvitmg after the quarters we had quitted. They

were commodious and clean, and each was provided

told n! I ' ''""' P'°"''''"^ him, and in fact

P^of f r'"' ""' "^ """^ "° '--" '0 com-
p am o any treatment that he received while on the

ship. Captain Telatrava and Mac Ivrach bein.gone

we ov hauled the cabins, and Mr. Tym andftool'

^n, Tr""" ^"P'"'" ^'"'"S'^' 'he other.

himS ?H ,1 "" 'PP'""' '» have bestirred

himself, and the passengers must have been gener-

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

proceeded to makeT^ie ed ^ "" ""' "''''""^
array was ■, Il„i "="='^"""- '» my own case the

and draw: ^'t^t™; He aHa""' "T^"""

sha ed a dasM °? ""'? "" '"' '"-"i I
in the' s^alf " ;.V"pC ? T """ "^ ^"'"«
Ihis done I concluded' rseewtrw.r '"" "'^''■
above, and slipped out on deck T. T f '"« °"

the main cahin ,°"''^''^- As I passed through

ber.h,bt.he irabouTth °""'' "" '^'""'^'^
closed. As I cL. "' /' ,"■" °'" ""^ '"' door
quite a company ^f H °' "" '°"''""'°" ' '"""d

-ear-mr-^orelt^^rrner-'^'^^--

and /■h^d'no'T''' " '""'= ''^'"''='' ^"'^ anxious,
what h. "" '■'P""'''' "lan he broke of

«hat he was say.ng and stood waiting for me

I hastened my steps and came up and as r rM

:?:i:r'^'"^""-^---^p'-a::sii;f

with tt'acf a^'n'" '°''"' f"^'''"« ^ -"ft giance
ivitn the act, and was instantly pleased and i„ ,

manner confused at the change in her rh^,

^uiScientiy conceived what th s restoration tl^ T'

own proper dress and the shedd ..of her former

unsu.table and shabby clothes was t°o mean n

was no more of the rather undersized Toling 4' ^

292

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

the great flapping hat, with the old jacket, smalls
and stuffed jack-boots, but instead a nobly grown
woman, elegant in a silk gown, delicate laces, and a
charmingly-draped mantilla.

Yet all this was only for a moment. I paid my
respects— I know not whether with a little show of
confusion— to Dona Carmen, and turned immediately
to Mr. Hope,

"Well, sir," he began, "we have concluded to
'bout ship. I presume you have no further use for
your sloop, and if so it will be a convenience to cast
her off."

" Do so," said I. " We are done with her and
she is not worth hoisting aboard. But whither do
you now purpose to go ? "

" To Valparaiso, as we think," he answered. " At
first we had a mind to try some port hereabouts, but
with the buccaneers so near it seemed too danger-
ous."

" I believe you are wise," said I. " Morgan has
some ships, and there is no knowing how far he will
cruise."

"Then the sooner we get upon the opposite
course the better. I but delayed to get this further
knowledge." He turned to Captain Telatrava and
bade him put the ship about.

While they were doing this I moved over by Dona
Carmen, and, though I was not sure Mr. Hope would
approve, ventured to engage her in a little talk. I
suppose I may as well admit at this point that I had
come to find very keen delight in the senorita's com-
pany, and, though I had not plumped the matter in
so many words even to myself, was most certainly

MASTER AKDICK, BUCCANEER. ,

in love with her. That this was great presumption
on my part, a,ul stood fair to end i„ ,0^,1^^
wretchedness and disappointment, was ea y o pe
ce.ve, but even so I was none the less ea«r to
So^^on and enjoy the dangerous delight :^:L I

I do not reeall just what our discourse on this

d scomfort of the boat, and of the wonderful way
tl.e various creumstanees had brought about hi
present situation. There was son,e talk of „" t my
companions and I meant to do at the end o Z
voyage, and a remark on her part that she should

Dut then Mr. Hope wound up his other matters Jd
returned to his place. matters and

He showed no displeasure at our AV.-i-/./, and
ngaged me for a while in talk, though he dM To
again leave me alone with his niece The rest o
t^^e day passed uneventfully, and at an early hou
my companions and I turned in. The foHowhiJ

relax at ast from the strain of the late adventures

sion of hazards T ^ "'^' "^ ^^^^"^^ --^-
hazards i misfortune. That day nothing

294 MASTER AkDICK, BUCCANEER.

worth setting down happened, and I may say, to bo

the e diirL^"' ' ""^'^ '""'''^'^ ^« --^P^. -^^ that
the readier because it was a relief from the harsh

and serious nature of the late occurrences T I e

11, and Captam I elatrava. who was dissatisfied with
to t I "ilif 7 '" I'''' '^^^^^''^^ "P°" Mac Ivrach

elf that mm'- '',"'" ''' ^""^-^'^ acquit him.
self that Mr. Hope, who was something of a good

I'ver, shortly made a generous offer to take the
Scotchman nUo his own service, which was prompt y
and w.th much gratitude accepted. We congr tu-
lated our old comrade heartily on his good luck
wh.ch pleased us, I might say, almost as much sU
did h m, and was most excellently well deserved

Of course, during the few days I have mentioned
I saw considerable of the senorita. It was her cus!
om to come pretty early on deck, and remain until
out.T\.Tr troublesome, and again she came
out about the beginning of the dog watches, or even '
sooner, sitting under a tilt, or in the space on the
shady side of the poop-deck house. Mr. Hope was
with her the chief part of the time, and on other oc^
casions was never long absent; but though this (to
be rank) was not just to my fancy, I could not find
kindnes°s' ""^'"'^^'^^ ^'"^^ted me with invariable

stru?^! '''""'^' /°°" ^^''' '^^° ^^"^ had been
struck, I came on deck and saw Dona Carmen stand-
ing by herself near the after weather gang-port

found her alone at this hour, and with a glance

MASTER ARDICK. BUCCAXKER. jg-

spe:u.X"::":,r:."^'" ' ^^^-^ '^^--^ -- •<>

She turned quickly, putting back a fallinir end of
her mantilla, and smiled. ^ °^

vvJinJ'.''''? '"'"'• ^"^'^^J it is beautiful. I

cha r to r" '"^ "''^'^^ ' ^^'^"'^ "«t fetch a
cha.^r to this open port and enjoy the view for a

your leave I will keep you company," I answered
boldly, yet with affected lightness ^"^^^ered

I f.^h''/!''''^; °"'^' '^"^''"^ ^""^ ^'' consenting nod
I fetched two bamboo chairs, and seated her in one
while I took the other.

"This is the recompense of these hot days-the
onder u niglus," she said, with a comfortab e s

What a sky, Senor Ardick, and what a sea' "

1 followed her glance un af fhA j.^^
fhrnnrvK fK fe"*"Le up at the heavens and out

tnrough the open port.

"Glorious!" I answered.

"It seems as though I could be content to have
It go on forever," she said with a sigh. '• It is all o
peaceful and restful." ^°

" I can see how you feel so," I said, sighing a lit-
e in turn. «« Yet pretty shortly you would dre of
it^and desire to be back in the stir and bustle of tli; .

"Ah," she said with a sad shake of the head
you forget how little I hive to -r- ' i '

Rather I begin m a new world. I do not desire it,

296

MASTER ARDICK, HUCCANKER.

and in all earnestness prefer this peace and con-
tent."

" Which I am ^Had to hear you say," said I, my
pulse taking the foolish freak to beat faster. "It is
my own thought, to own the truth. Like yon. I am
satisfied to be here, and would be glad never to re-
turn to the world. There it must be the old strife
and disappointment, and the parting of friends! "

"And yet," she said with a regretful lowering
of the voice "it is thus that it will happen. The
voyage must end, and our pleasant dream fade to
naught."

"Dojla Carmen," said I— the words seemed to
come from my lips with a leap, as it were, and almost
of their own accord—" our dream must end like other
dreams unless we make it a reality. I mean "—for
one instant I halted, and hung frightened over the
abyss of my own presumption—" I mean we may
make the chiefest thing in the dream come true, for
we can refuse to be separated— God help me! I
think I am mad ! How dare I say this to you ? And
yet it is true. I love you—love you with my whole
heart and soul. And nou- it i« out, anc: I think
I shall presently be th ■ ^v.,^. !,lest m.ai in the
world ! "

The last atom of my courage left me, and I
turned my face from her and stared through the
open port.

It seemed an age before she answered. With a

mechanical sort of hearing I followed the low wash

v die water along the sides of the ship, the straining

of the timbers and bulkheads, and the clicking of

gear in the blocks.

MASTKR ARPtCK, BUCCANEFR

-97
At last her chair m„ved, aiul to ray am.i.e I felt
the «c,ght of her hand on n.y arm I T!'n, ,, '"
a great breath-coward it ,„uy be I w,s a !^ 'n
a-tremble ti.rned to her. She was fivi,,
shining eye,, on me. *'"'■' ^"""^ ""''

you.' Ho,y'M:therL'gre':Ti'';:''^ "■'•''

but it is thus with me also , s„ 11 ,"> l^""'"'

whaVi;:;rhtr/thi:rtro^r''-''^"°"'''^'"

persuaded there are .fochjtert ';r' ^'■. '™
other language. Ii„t, i 1 o Icou Id ha" '" ""^
out with rapture, and what , eo'uid r.^berr^^raTu'el
trom doing: was to Qpiyp tu^ i i . lamea

arm and between ar;;^:n"r„™r:ai::[. "\"''

overita„dho.dittoray,ips.''CdetnV'a::
last, perhaps fearing that some chance parser .Xh

see^us.^butnashed the sweetest sntileba'ctt at:
«>b,e. There w:eren,:r::;:to/„;f™,^::ratt;'''-

i;i:sT'" '°"-' ^-°--^ -- --:::;;

"Well, dearest,'' I said with a sigh, "I snpno^e
led" T. T/'f ""'""' "-'ding'n'ow to be'set

tlat I hJl ' "" ' '° "^""^ >-°" ">i"e, now
mat 1 have won von? WN.f „.;n ... ' "^

remove

the obstacles, indud

th(

'ng the chief on

e, which must be

opposition of your uncle? Not that he shall

pre-

298

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

vail against my love," I added sternly. " Nay, not
forty uncles, nor the world! So much is settled,
please God ! "

She seemed to be a little frightened at my ear-
nestness, and yet I could see that my desperateness
of resolve pleased her.

" Why, Carlos mfo," she answered with a charm-
ing frown of thought, " I am not clear as to the way.
I fear that my uncle would never consent, and
though I love you— j?', Carlos, with all my heart— I
would not, save in a thing of extremity, disobey
him." *

"But you would not let him part us ? " I cried,
trembling with fear and jealous dread.

" Not if with right and honour it can be compassed
otherwise," she answered gently. " Nay, dear heart,
mitigate your fears. At least I will never consent to
wed any one but you, and I am sure that my uncle is
no such man as to compel me. That will give us time
and with time who can say what may not be done ? "
"Angel! " I cried rapturously, and I was scarce
able to keep back from snatching her into my arms.
Perhaps the passing by of one of the sailors at the
moment was the only thing that prevented me.

" But, Carlos, there is yet another way," she went
on. "Say you should boldly seek my uncle and ask
him ? You could do no more than fail."

"But I should do that," I said despondently.
" Ah, well, nevertheless I will try it ; I will urge him.
I will plead my cause. I will ask but for time to
prove my worthiness and a mete place in the world.
Content you. So he comes on deck I will ha\e my
answer this night."

MASTER ARDICK. BUCCANEER.

She heard me gravely and as one troubled with
doubts but yet of my mind. Indeed, this was but
the putting into words of her own thought

"Content, then," she replied at last. " Ah " she
added turning her head and starting, '^ he;e he
comes I Our Blessed Mother and every f^int prosper

She was up and moving across the deck before I
had my surprise well mastered. Truly enough Mr
Hope a coming toward us, having just sipped
out ot the companion.

I confess that the boldness I had shown but a
moment before wonderfully diminished now that the
moment of action was at hand. Carmen gone and

reverse ^''''"' ''"' '^"'"'' ^"""'^'^ thing from the

^J'rV ^'^' °^ '°"^^^' "« thought of hesitating,
and I summoned my resolution afresh and made
toward him. "^auc

», I'.h ""t "'?■"■" ^^ °^"'"^<i^ not quite heartily
as I thought I guessed that he was not overpleased
at find,ng Dona Carmen and n,e together. It was
the first „me it had fallen out in just this way-tha
.s, that we had been by ourselves of an eved Jg

It could not well be finer," I answered By
this t.me my courage had a bit revived

He came up to me, and with an air grave and
sober I went on :

" With your permission I have something to say

:fj::;.im:r^°''"'^"^^'°^'-'"-f-»'--
oner';::;: l:tz^ °f p-positio„ that at

gcu uih oearing. He answered with

20 "«•.!*

300

MASTER ARDICK. BUCCANEER.

urbanity that he was quite at my service, and led
the way to the part of the deck I had just quitted
Making a sign for me to take one of the chairs he
dropped into the other and planted his feet com-
fortably against the gang-port chain.

"Proceed, if you please," he said, turning his
head a bit so as to regard me.

Again a kind of cold fit took me. This alert
merchant way of his put me out, and then .' ".ad a
growing sense of what there was at stake. I hun^
in the wind an instant, but in that time managed to
confirm my resolution once more.

"The business, sir," I began with a sort of des-
perate bluntness, " concerns your niece. I presume
some deprecation of my boldness may be in order
but yet I choose rather to come at once to the
heart of the matter. In a word, I love her, and she
has avowed she loves me. It lacks but your con-
sent to wed her."

I was not surprised that Mr. Hope's feet came
down from the chain, and that he stiffened up and
looked at me with a clouded countenance. I faced
him steadfastly.

" This is a sort of business I was not expecting "
he said in a cold and yet well-mastered voice. " May
I ask if you have considered all that goes with your
proposition?" ^

" As what, sir } " said I, apprehending well enough
what he meant, yet wishing to draw him out.

" I had thought better of your understanding "
he said, speaking now with the harshness he had con-
cealed before. -What should I mean but the proof
of your fitness for the match ? In a word, what for-

MASTER ARDICK. BUCCANEER.

-iiidt, I said, never flinrhino- « r ^„
turn bu, an indifferent answer ,o I L ,^" '"' "•'•
I conceive is your s.andpoi t My persona, ch" "^'
I may say is all you can ask "^ ^^""^'^''aracter
have none, and no better fh , '°'^'""^- ^

mean to fo low the sea I, L ., '"■ ""'P^"^- ^
by and by to cole t" <^ ' ' '"" "■""

which sho^uld not be su h\'°"'"'"' °' ^ '^'"'' '"^
father was a sailor •• T ""^ ^'"^'"ment. My

master andl ™ d' threTp" rtT'o^h"" T '° '^ ^
With .briety and dih.er tTdVis ttct''?- ' ''-'

He puffed out his lips, somewhat in Mr Tvm-
fashion, and squared ahnJ tr. u- r ^"^ ^

p.a:fe:i?e?c':s^d'e^r::b,rti:e".^-' ^"'---
not;jXLt::;:.\rer^:'e;i:'''-"^

match ere""'": 7 """ ""«"' '°=^' " ''"-^e
seem a likely e'nouTh, 7' "' "--^^°nable. You
you commendrvou ve ' "'u '" ' >•"= "-^^^d °f

nowconcede vhJt ;;u'wisT'"G^''"'""/ ' ^^" "°'
things you soeak nf if ° ™ ""'' =«=''ieve the

whaf is to be aid 'f «r "T' '"' '"^ *^ "'" ^«
ise. Indeed h»' " """" '"' ' ™" "<" Prom-

Vic di ,^ *^°"^ ''^y°"<i mv first intent in

th e s^:r "'"• "*" '' "■-' "= -nderstood "hit
.3 to be no more love-making. I shall have my

302

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

eyes open— which it seems hitherto I have not, or have
been overpassed— and all infringement I shall meet
by strict measures. Now you have my answer,
which I have meant should be to the point, as is my
custom."

He ended with a little more severity than he had
began, yet not harshly, and seemed to await my
answer.

In good sooth, I could not find much fault. He
had not given me the sort of reply I could have
wished, to be sure, and I did not go to the length of
finding much encouragement in h... generalities; yet,
on the other hand, he had not flatly refused me,
and he had not treated my suit with contempt. I
perceived that it stood me in hand to meet him
in the prompt and frank fashion he seemed to look
for, and hence I nodded in a satisfied way and
answered :

" I can ask nothing more, I am aware that the
greatness of what I seek is beyond my deserts. Let
it stand as it is, then. You do not positively refuse
me, and I have my own success to work out. I am
beholden to you, sir, for your consideration."

"Why, you are welcome," he answered quite
genially. " And, Master Ardick," he went on, as I
rose and made to go, " I would say that I wish to
stand your friend. I have very keenly in mind the
obligation you have placed me under — you and your
companions. I trust at no distant day to be able to
repay some small share of the debt."

" I thank you in turn," I said rather coldly, ''but
in the present hospitality you repay all that I, at
least, can accept. I wish you good-night."

"but
I, at

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER. 3^3

And with a well-manaired hif nf i^f.-

whence they hailed »•• ^ °"" "^''^d y°''

ha;ei;°;;7/::::4titr^ ''^''^°'"'^^- ^

"And yo„ saiC that Mr ;;'':^P„7°- ,.

x'Ta„^-trrerJt^-V^"""-

you." ^ ^ ^° ^*^ sure I understood

** You are a little estrav " t ^
ritation passing- "on 1'k' ^ ^"'^^'"^d' ^7 silly ir-
ampton M T;„, V^ '\' ''P'^'" ^^ ''^"^ South-
Lo^^^onL^at isr^;h ^nft \\ tl '' ''1 '-' ^"
reared in some town in SuTsex " " '^^" ^"^
" Is it so ? " he said with a little surprise - Th.,,
I misapprehended you That nU lu ^"

must see Mr. Tym I will 7 ^' '"'^- ^

1, • ' '■ "'" e-Tlam to von tint ti,=

business concerns the letter tL, r- "/.""that the
brought This l,„r I *^''P""" SelHnger

now dead and f f "'"" "" " "^"^ f"^'") °< ™ine,
written ,^ NeVVo ;"»-""'" ™r"^"'=^- " --
cametomeinThestrn'n ."'' '"■""" "^«'- ^"^

l^-now of. a'™: ^ ,7.;-^ ^''-d^bout way you

the track of a certain fami ;' /s":: r^f ' '"'°"
about to ffo below iviii , Sussex. If you are

fi>j uciuw will you not tqI^ Ar,- t"
up hither .? " ^ ^^^- ^>'"i to step

304

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

" Certainly," I answered, and with a slight dis-
traction from my own matt . for the moment, I
wished him good-night and left the deck.

CHAPTER XXXII.

OF THE DETERMINATION OF THE WHOLE MATTER.

But once dived down into the quiet (none of the
passengers were in sight), the concern and trouble of
the old matter returned. The prospect came back,
dubious and uncertain, and the pride which had sus-
tained me so well till now incontinently left me. I
made forward with heavy feet, and only pulled my-
self together at the door of the berth, where 1 took
thought that Mr. Tym might notice me. I entered
and found him up and already about to go on deck
and delivered Mr. Plope's message. He replied,'
" Very well," and after finding that I was not for
going back passed out, and I heard him ascend the
brass-shod stairs.

I might now momentarily see my love, which I
was bound to do, and tell her how matters had gone,
and, besides— well, I hoped for a fleeting embrace.
Most likely it would be our first and last.

I slipped out into the main cabin, accordingly,
running my eye about under the dim, grease-smell-
ing lamps, but again finding the place empty, and
stole along to the senorita's door.

At my first light knock she opened it. She was
habited as she left the deck, even to the mantilla.

dis-

MASTER ARDICK. BUCCANEER. 3^^

" Oh, then there is hope ! " she cripH tinn- •
stantlywith colnnr ^n^ 1 .^"^ "'^^' ^'"geing in-

did no" despise ;:?■• '"" "" "'"''■ " "'

derL« '"'lot's"oTr;''' '^''""'"^ """ '°^^ ^"d ten-
"ciuchss, not so bad as that '

~ ^^hat were his words, Carlos ? " ^

sue fir 1 u' •'l'' "' "'' '° ' ='"'°" '" «^ fit to
even ,h. " "°'' P''^'*"^'' 'o answer: "but

even then promises nothing. In short !,„ V 7 J

- with civility, and perhfps be; d' .'y' d™

arflrlr 'td-;:^r' - -^aoubts^'asrhTd

in a tashion to avo d offence vet tr. off ^ ,• ,
hope. But be not d.scou ag^d 'or if he 1 ""=

IT.T-T' "^'^'"^ 'gai^sfyout f „":
offended w.th you, and that I am su^e is much I
am now better heartened th.in 1 h I

'i- before, and belie"; that a wryerdl""^
in triumph for us." ^ """^ """^

"Dear heart ! " said I with a shaking voice and
-able to utter any .ore words I Capped thVe-

3o6

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

ressing hand to my lips and with another motion
drew her unresisting to my breast.

God wot never was a purer woman, but she was
no prude, and the generous blood of Spain flowed in
her veins. She slipped her arms about my neck and
put her lips to mine, and let me draw her loving
weight to me, and so we clung for a single mo-
ment.

The shortest moment in my life. Feet began to
clatter down the companion stairs, and with one
swift, tender kiss and "I am yours, Carlos or if
not, then the veil ! The Holy One keep you ' " she
was inside and the door closed, and I was speeding
to rny cabin.

I reached the door just as the person coming
down fetched into the range of the lamps. To my
relief it was Mr. Tym. Nevertheless, I had never
seen him when he was less welcome.

" Is't you, Ardick ? " he asked, as I paused by the
door. " Why, yes, now I see it is. Come in, for I
have a thing to tell you."

I felt little curiosity, for the greater matter
moved me, but I passed after him into the berth.
Our candle lanthorn had been left burning, and by
the glimmer of it I saw that his look was mo'ved and
excited. A little surprised now, I dropped upon
the side of my bunk, while he took the neighbour
stool.

" Well, Ardick," he began, " to save you guessing,
I will go straight to the bowels of the matter. I
have fallen heir to a great fortune."

Distraught as I was and full of the other affair,
this, nevertheless, gave me a start. Recollecting

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER. 33.

myself and how I ought to behave toward one who

stourrtur^""'"^''-^^''-^^^-^-''

"I congratulate you, with all my soul •■ I cried
"No man i„ ,he world deserves the luck better-

Avast ! you over-exalt rae," he laughed " But
t .s the strangest thing i„ the world. To come o
the pomt, then, it is Torrycorn's letter wl ^ch h s
brought so much .0 pass. First, a certain cousin
that I never saw, died, and left me his entire srrea
possess,ons. He did it out of regard for TyZolT
't seems, whom he greatly loved. While dvin^h '

::::\:iir '° ''\"°''^' "^ '^^' '--" »^ '" '■

"ess agent beggmg that he be e.xecutor of the will
and St .h, , ^ ^^^ ^^^^^^.^^ ^^^^ ^^^ he w ,,

tat '°f """•••"'•'■ ''y "-'^l^e the letter went to Cap-

on hewa/hT'""- , ""'"^ considerable business
on the way he was deterrad from the first plan of

e tlcTer'y^t' nM^^""^ ""'"' '^'" '^^ ^^^"^
.0 meet us , \^'^ "'"' '" P''^"^^ -''^on

ver^!n Vu ""' '"' ■'""• ^'"i to find at his
very elbow the man the letter concerned. Shall you
find the match of all this for strangeness and the
very whim of fortune ? "

that' 't"!'''''V"V' ""'='' surprised, "it passes all
theforturp'^"'"'- ^- «■•'- -he aLunt of
" It is set forth in the letter to be ninety thou-
sand pounds sterling, but may fall something'short "
he answered. " It is mainly invested in lands about

the last that my cousn, made his fortune. I mean

308

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

in the plantation trade. It is a bit strange that I
never heard of him, but then his ships plied mostly
between our easterly ports and New York, and I had
no great knowledge of matters in those parts."

But here something gave me a little start.
"Ships, then," said I, "will cut a considerable fig-
ure with you. Do you mean to i.eep them or sell
them?"

" That I can answer better when I see them, and
likewise come to some determination as to the
other property," he answered. "But it may be
I apprehend you. You would like to bespeak a
berth ? "

"It seems hasty a>ir» eager to mention it," I
replied, a little in deprecation, "but the fact is "

"Say no more," he cried, clapping me on the
back. " Can you doubt me ? Why, man, you shall
be second mate of my best ship. After that mate,
and then captain. Why not ? And your pay shall
start with a round sum, and I not cheated, either, for
you are worth it. Sellinger at first shall be your
superior — for I have him also in mind, to advance
his fortunes— and I think you could not ask for a
better."

"God bless you!" I cried. "This is more than
you think ! "

In spite of me the tears came into my eyes.

"Why, Ardick, man, you have something behind
the lighter ! " he said, looking at me sharply. " Nay,
out with it and relieve your mind. I much doubt if
you will find more sympathetic ears."

" That I know," I said with a sob, "but, indeed,
I am but a poor creature. I think I have lost the

MASTER ARDICK. BUCCANEER.

,. , 309

little courage I had. Yet here i^ th^

you are fo„,i,. enough to co::: o l? I^^' t<

With no words sn-irerl n.. « ^- ^^"<^l

puiiings„„:L:s„7tec";:r "™"'"'"«^ -^

"And now," said I at the end '« „
matter lies. To co.ne spee ,;a'' JZZ °" 1'"

::a.T:rr>^:----''™--octna7;^:^

"„to ' I™^''/ ''"-''"^ -■•'■'''' '^

"that -1; th '"'," ""'" '" o"" ''""' ° P-ecisio„
tnat ,s the thing behind the litrhipr ; ' ''"^lon,

enough little matter, too but not .1 t '""'"«
dwelling on." ' ""'"S for much

" Sir ! ■■ I cried reproachfully

" Nay, but hear me," he <i-iid „■, ■

--same.:htrVrrrt^:;;--;'«'cated
I was sUent. I thoucrht- t i. .

about to say. His marri.i H . "''' '''^"' ^' ''^'
ay. -^^is marriage had proved unhannv
"In two years my wife died" h. ""''^^PPy-

voice dropping and sobering 'WhosIM'"' '''
were happier than all the time before or sine Wh'"
t came to the last I asked Margare^to hank V ."
or me that he had given me the sweet Ion of h
I promised that I would strive f. l ^^'-

"v '«t-K. And now to vonr tmffr.- !-• , *

iL- 1 T . " <.vj yuur matter, whirh ^'/-m ^^ ^

th.«k I have strayed from. Having'bee: XTay

310

MASTER ARDICK, BUCCANEER.

happy myself, I conceive it a good aiul sweet thing
if I might make you so likewise, and this I believe I
can do. I have now neither kith nor kin — poor
George Benther was surely the last, as I thought
another was before him— and it will be fitting if I
name an heir. Why not you, Ardick, whom in truth
I love ? I will adopt you, and so at last I shall have
a son. And now do you think your matter worth
much dwelling on, for have we not found a way to
mend it ? I trow my heir and the agent of my ships,
with good ventures of his own and what not, may
aspire to this young woman's hand ? If not, let me
know, and we will see whether the house of Reginald
Tym has forgotten how to uphold its honour by the
sword ! "

Long before the end of this epilogue, which in-
deed the good man spoke with the water standing in
his eyes, I had seized his hand and with trembling
lips had kissed it.

He broke off with this, standing up and clapping
on his hat.

" Yet wait a little, for, after all, the business is
not quite concluded. I would see Mr. Hope."

He retreated out of the berth, and with feelings
which you may guess, but which I can not hope to
put into words, I dropped down on the side of the
bunk and awaited his return.

He was gone above twenty minutes. When he
came in he made a grave bow and pointed to my
hat.

I laughingly and yet in a great tremble clapped
it on, which done, he took my arm and led me out
and up the companion stairs.

MASTliR ARWCK, nuojAXEER. ,,,

Near the top lie only said :

" The lady is on deck. Why there I rin n,„
unless it might be to greet a cenai!; ,e' ^o, B„tT„'
any event she is in my way. I „,sh to have a f u t , "

^r;::c:-;r^;„e'':ira:.7rr"'""^'^--

THE END.