THIS is a well-sustained narrative, interspersed with thrilling and truthful sea-scenes. The author is not only a ready and agreeable writer, but a thorough sailor: and, unlike many who pretend to write Romances of the Ocean, he fully understands his subject. Many of the incidents referred to are facts, especially those connected with that nefarious band, the Fire-island Wreckers. Upon the whole, the publishers offer this book as one of the best and most faithful Sea Stories which has appeared for a long time.
NEW YORK: H. LONG & BROTHER,
43 ANN-STREET.
We do not hesitate to rank "BEN BRACE" with the best nautical tales of Cooper and Marryatt. It is, indeed, a most brilliant romance of the sea, full of the most exciting incidents of ocean life, vividly described, and abounding with a raciness of sailor dialogue and adventure, that delineates in a masterly manner the peculiarities of sailor character. There is a freshness and vigor about the whole work that irresistibly charms the reader, and cannot fail to secure for it an extensive popularity.—Athenæum.
A glowing and truthful portraiture of the sailor on the ocean and on the land, in his action and in his "yarns." We have never read a more interesting and spirited book. The author is perfectly at home and in his element, and with a pen of graphic minuteness, makes the reader also delightfully at home with the sailor and the sea.—Critic.
NEW-YORK: H. LONG & BROTHER
43 ANN STREET.
Just Published—"THE FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES OF HARRY RACKET SCAPEGRACE,"
Beautifully illustrated. Price 50 cents.
VALDEZ, THE PIRATE; OR, SCENES OFF LONG ISLAND.
BYJACK BRACE.
NEW YORK:
H. LONG & BROTHER,
43 ANN-STREET.
ENTERED, according to Act of Congress, in the Year One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty-three, by H. LONG & BROTHER, in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of New York.
CONTENTS.
- CHAPTER I. The Watchers—Hope Deferred—The Stranger—News of the Absent One. 5
- CHAPTER II. The Dream—The Title Deeds—An Honest old Jack Tar—Suspicions—The Letter. 10
- CHAPTER III. Jack Thompson seeks a Confederate—A Sailor Boarding-House—The Jew Isaac—The young Spaniard—Purposes of Revenge, and an Appointment. 16
- CHAPTER IV. Juan Gomez—The Deep Wrong—Counter Plots—Juan on board the Pirate. 20
- CHAPTER V. Jack Thompson's Devotion—The Stranger's Character revealed—A Wife's Determination—Change in Captain Barton's position—Our Characters all afloat. 25
- CHAPTER VI. Maria Gomez—The Pirate Ship—The Boy Pedro—Juan's Suspicions A Rough Friend—The Mystery Explained. 30
- CHAPTER VII. Maria's Story continued—Sail ho!—Brother and Sister meet again—The Pirate Chief witnesses an unexpected sight—The Prisoner—The Chase. 36
- CHAPTER VIII. The Chase!—The Storm! 41
- page: iv (Table of Contents) -5[View Page iv (Table of Contents) -5]
- CHAPTER IX. Valdez and Maria—Ramon and Juan. 46
- CHAPTER X. The Gale abates—Deeds of Blood!—Mrs. Burton on board the Pirate—A Hostage. 51
- CHAPTER XI. Jack Thompson's chance for the Bounty—Ramon discloses to Juan a Conspiracy—The Bark makes Land—Preparations for a Nor'-wester. 56
- CHAPTER XII. Betrayer and Betrayed—Woman's Devotion—The Plot discovered. 61
- CHAPTER XIII. Fire Island—The Wreckers—Isaac, the Jew—Sam Soakes—The Jew's Plans. 67
- CHAPTER XIV. The Bark anchors off Fire Island—The Wreck—Scenes at Soakes' Hotel—A Bold Attempt at Plunder. 72
- CHAPTER XV. The Pirate Crew Plot, and their chief Counter-plots—Maria having revealed their treachery to Valdez, he prepares a hellish Revenge—Valdez leaves the Brig, and sends Isaac the Jew on board—They must all perish! 78
- CHAPTER XVI. Maria defeats the purpose, of Valdez, and plans with old Ramon—Death before dishonor. 83
- CHAPTER XVII. Heroism of the Spanish Girl!—The Deliverance; and the Escape—Critical position of Captain Ross, and his Bark—The Pirates Baffled—Death of Isaac, the Jew. 88
- CHAPTER XVIII. Conclusion—A Tragedy—Juan Gomez consummates his Revenge—The Troubles of the other Characters are happily ended. 93
