Our mess, or, The pirate-hunters of the Gulf
page: 0 (TitlePage) [View Page 0 (TitlePage) ]OUIR eh vcte jut M0ESS nahe se s. 2 A TALE OF NAVAL IIROI8 AND WILD ADVENTURE IN TIlE TijPICS, BY NED BUNTLINE. NEW YORK: FRE D ERIC A. R A fDY, NQ. 24 ANN fRLET. I" page: 0[View Page 0] _ ENTEaED according to Act of Congress, in the year 1859, BY CAULDWELL, SOUTHWORTH & WHITNEY, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Southern District of New York. MY TITLE. " Our Mess! I am the last one left of it-I mean the mess of the ' Mosquito Fleet,' when we went to fight the Cuban pirates under Porter, ni 1b.ro, though I was there before with poor Allen, of the Alligator, who was killed by the black-hearted wretches." Thus'said one of the most distinguished and gallant officers of our navy to me, a few days ago ; and then he related some wild and thrilling incidents, which are the ground-work of this story. I'In compliment to him, and in memory of his brave departed mess-mates, this story takes its title. CHAPTER I. It was evening ; and in the palace gf the Intendente-General of the department of Ma. tanzas-which overlooked the loveliest bay on all- the coast of Cu-ba-beauty and valor, as well as masked villainy, were gathered to the enjoyment of a festival; for it was the eve of the birthday of the Senorita Maraquita de Regla, the lovely daughter of the Intendente- General, the Marquis Garcia de Regla. Gay uniforms glittered amid the lace and gauze and gossamer drapery of the lovely Cu- ban ladies. There were Spanish, English, French, and American officers present. The latter, though evidently regarded with great favor by the fairer sex, seemed to be looked upon coldly by the Spanish officers ; and it was evidently a forced or constrained courtesy which the marquis himself tendered to them ; for though he had politely saluted the four American officers, who caiie in at an early hour of the evening, and whom lie had evi- dently met bef re-for he addressed each by name--- he ht in that moment avoided them, and p particular attention to other guests. With one of these-a dark and swarthy Spaniard, in plain citizen's dress-ho seemed to be most intimate ; and as this person is - one with whom we have yet much to do-- character whose history yet lives on record, as well as upon the lips of tradition--he merits a special introduction as well as description. Don EnoIAnDo QuiEsrat, as he was known at the palace, had suddenly appeared there about a year before the festival-night which opens this story. No one but the governor knew who he was or where he cane from. The governor was alone-or, at least, his secretary and daughter only were with hm- when, unannounced, this person had walked into his private office, and both the daughter and secretary were astonished at the unusual agitation which the marquis exhibited at first, and the marked respect, even deference, which he showed afterward to the person whom he introduced to them, not as a noble, but as a plain senor. But the secretary valued his place too much ever to make allusion to it afterward., The daughter loved her father too well to wish to pry into his secrets ; for she, like most chil- dren, believed that her parent could not do wrong, and would not introduce to her an evil man. Yet then, and ever after, when Don Eduardo Quiestra looked at her with his black eye-at times as cold as ebony, and then as fierce as lightning lurking in the midnight- cloud-she trembled within her heart, and felt an unspoken terror. Dressed plainly, but riehily-a costly din- mond on his finger, and another in his shirt- bosom-standing over six feet high, with a forni at once elegant and muscular-a bearded face, the features of which were expressive of stern courage, but not of ferocity-and a lofty forehead, marked, but not disfigured, by a di- agonal scar as from a sabre-cut across it-this individual was well calculated to attract ob- servation, even among so many ; for he was unlike them all. In his manners, rather haughty and distant, he avoided such contacts a' / / x.s OUR MESS; OR, i ivt-uu®~~ the if. page: 4-5[View Page 4-5] I/ 4 OUR ME as he disliked-though, when he chose, he de- scended from his pedestal of reserve, and in his conversation, especially with the ladies, made himself very agreeable. There was an air of "mystery" about him which made him attractive in their eyes. his lavish expenditure of money in oceasiona presents to some of them, and his charity to the poor, proved him to be as unselfish as he was wealthy. But though lie sometimes care- lessly alluded to his country-residence, he told no one where it was, and if sked, evaded the question. When in Matanz, s, a suite of rooms in the palace was assigned h mn ; when he went away, it was in such a man r, and so secretly, that no one knew where he went. Only one servant attended upon his person-a young man of singular beauty and dignity for one in a menial position, whom he called Mariano, and whom lie treated with an almost com- panion-like kindness. Having thus introduced mihi, we will leave him ; and after having, for a moment, glanced at the loveliest gem of the evening-Maraquita de Regla-we will close this chapter, and hurry forward on our,path of romance. Just eighteen-which is womanhood's full age of development in that ripe and delicious clime -Maraquita possessed the oriental fea- tures of her Moorish descent, with the fairer and richer complexion of her native Castile. 11er figure could not have been impi-oved ; it was faultless : for, although not so tall as some of the beauties tliere, it lacked in no proportion. l1cr expression was intellectual-soulful. She looked like one formed alone to love and to be loved. Of such a one as her the poet wrote : -"Such around her shone The nameless charms unmarked by her alone ; The light of love, the purity of grace- The mind-the music bi scathing from her face- The heart, whose softness harmonized the whole ; Anti oh ! that eye was in itself a soul !" She was very beautiful ; and so thought the young American lieutenant, who, having se- cured her not unwilling hand for the first con- tra-dance, was now promnenadling the handsome saloon with her hand upon his arnm. nd lie, with his erect, manly figure, cle blue eye, rosy complexion, and curling b own locks, seemed well mated to so beautiful a creature ; for every step, every motion, every expression, proclaimed him to be what lie was-one of Nature's noblemen. And who but the God-made are noble Talk of blood and lineage in beasts ; but in mena, balh ! Where among the demagogues of the present day are the blood descendants of the incn of "'7G :" Where, even upon European or Asiastic thrones, are the blood-descendants of lImchard Cour de Lion, Charles of Sweden Alexander of Russia, Tiniour the Tartar, or Frederick the Gient? Or, rather, what are they h.er and anon--and Qo 'twill ever be-som ESS ; OR, unknown man of obscure parentage, like the Napoleon of Corsica, will arise, and, willed by the strong spirit within him, dash upward above all his fellow-men, to cast the 'lie into the faces of those who proclaim nobility as a heritage. - CIIAPTER II. "'Who is tlha' young officer who, walking with your daughter, seems to chain her ear down to the accents of his tongue ?"' asked the Seinor Quiestra of the marquis, hvlile the lat- ter, with a cloud upon his brow, and half-con- cealed anger in his eye, glanced toward the couple whose description closed our first chapter. "IIis name is Allen ; lie comnands the Amer- ican war-schooner in the harbor. I wish he were gone, for this is not the first time he has paid marked attentions to my child," ref lied the marquis, in a low tone. " Ihis is one of the vessels sent out by the Yankee government to prevent the collection of tribute to the black flag, is she not ?" asked Quiestra, while his passionless face lighted up for an instant with a sneering expression. " She is," replied the marquis. "Introduce me to him, and then draw your daughter away without arousing a suspicion in him that it is intentional," said Quiestra. Tle marquis bowed in acquiescence, and, accompanied by the former, moved across the room in a direction to intercept his daughter and her escort. ie did so, but only at the upper end of the room, as they were about to step out uo)0n a piazza which overlooked the harbor, whither Allen had invited his fair companion to look upon his vessel, as she lay upon the moonlit waters of the bay like a bird asleep, but ready in a moment to lift her wings for flight. Permit me to introduce my particular friend, Don Eduardo Quie-stra, to the notice of Lieutenant Allen," said the haughty mar- quis to the young American. "I am very happy to become acquainted with any friend of the Marquis de Regla l" said Allen, frankly extending his hand to the Spaniard. , To the surprise of Maraquifa, who had no- ticed his habitual reserve, especially toward , all the foreign officers, Quiestra not only took f the proffered hand, but shook it warmly ; but she had not time to observe more, for her father, saying: "There is the Countess de Villalieneva, my child, whom we have not wtloiied," placed f her arm within his, and hurried heraway-lcav- e ing Quiestra and Alleumi a position where they would necessarily be obliged to improve s their recent introduction. , i" The marquis is rather unceremonious r depriving me of. my late partnr in the (ane e said Allen, rather disappointed in the loss a wished-for walk and talk upon the piazza. e "Perhaps he thinks that is child's warm 4,, 4 r THE PIRATE-HUNTS heart is endangered when in contact with a fair-haired son of the North. She is his only one, and we cannot blame him that lie guards her closely," said the Spaniard, speaking in a careless tone, and ev'incing no interest in the matter by any expression of his face. "I never would wrong her noble heart," said Allen, quickly. "lIle need never guard her from me, for 1 would lose a life in her de- fence, or for hqr honor !" "A h ! you love her,,then ?" Quiestra said this in such a cold, utterly passionless, and disinterested tone, that Allen, naturally ingenuous and confiding, thought not of duplicity or a danger of betrayal, and he said : "Yes, with all my heart !" "And is your love returned ?" The Spaniard asked this question in such a way that Allen began to be upon his guard. IIe replied "I have already said too much upon this subject to z stranger-more than I should done." You have said so much," replied Quiestra, in a quiet way, "that to reply to my question will not add to your error, if you have erred. A confidence should never be halved." "In this case it must be," said Allen, ab- ruptly., For a second-not a second, a breath's time only-fire flashed in the Spaniard's black eye, but the next instant it was as calm and cold as before. "As you will," he said, lsindly. . "I have no right, as a stranger, to intrude myself upon your confidence : nor, perhaps, should I offer a friendship which might be usefulin promot- ing your future happiness ; for I, 'elieve that few men have more influence with the Marquis de Regla than myself." "Forgive me; I am over-cautious perhaps. But this is a delicate matter ; only-the lady and yourself are aware of my attachment," said Allen, again grasping the hand of the Spaiiard. " I will not withhold my full' con- fidehee from you. The lady does return my affection ; but'she fears her father's anger, and will not permit ine to make known to him my feelings and wishes, as I desire." "She is right, and possesses more sense and prudence than most of her sex. 11er father is a strange man, and must be approached with caution and in accordance to his natures But let us walk upon the piazza; there ire too many Estening ears around us here." Arm in arm, as if they had been t vo old friends, these utter opposites in looks and na- ture passed from the saloon to the piazza, to the wonder of more than one whq knew Qui- estra, and had never before seen(hiin touch the arm or hand of a male acquaintance, or descend from the icy throne of his reserve. W, ERS OF TIE GULF. d CHAPTER III. "Botheration to ye, should on ! Should on, I say, and I'll have the ivory adrift before ye can toss off a glass o' grog!" Reader, permit me to introduce to your no- tice, Surgeon Florence O'Shaughnessy, of the U. S. schooner Alligator, a gentleman with all the " rich brogue of Erin" rolling off his tongue, yet claiming, and rightfully, to-be an American-born citizen, for he was born under the American flag, while his father was Amer- ican Consul at Dublin. The doctor's height was not less than six feet, yet unless he stood by the side of another person, you would think him very short, he was so fat. His body was built much like a rum-puncheon, and its capacity for acting as one, was very frequently tested by the doctor. His head was very small, and his legs were not of a size to correspond with his trunk, in fact they looked too frail to support such a weight above. In truth, put a small pumpkin on top of a cask, putty on a pug nose, cut a wide mouth, and stick a few bristles on the top for hair, punching two small holes for eyes, and then put two broomsticks beneathfor'legs, and you will have a very tolerable representation of Doctor O'Shaughnessy. His particular occupation at the moment when we introduce him to the reader was that of extracting a tooth from the mouth of the negro cook of the schooner. He had got his turn-key upon the grinder, and his assistant, the medical steward of the vessel, was holding back the negrd's head by the wool, while the doctor, with both hands griping the handle of the instrument and his feet firmly set against the carriage of the gun on which lhe had seat- ed the " subject of operation,'' was pulling with a vigor which made it certaiiI that some- thing must come up by the roots-either wool or ivory. The negro, with both hands set against the doctor's protuberant abdomen, was involuntarily assisting in the operation, while his eyes rolled in agony, and his face assumed a bluish hue, with the pain of the toothache, and this additional infliction. As the doctor gave an additional jerk when he cried out shouldd on," the obstinate tooth gave way, and the doctor's body went with it; and his next position was horizontal, so far as his body was concerned. But his legs flour- ished in the air, and his long right arm was raised with the instrument and the to th in token of triumph ; while the freed neg' , u'u- ing a yell of mingled delight and pain, rushed away toward the galley, fully determined never to have the toothache again on board of that vessel. Assisted by the steward, the doctor regained his feet in a moment, and as he regarded the tooth, or rather tusk, which he held, he said "Be jabers, 'tis no wonderit pulled so hard ! It has roots like an ould oak. The next one I 1 al 1 5, K i _\ .' i i i 1 page: 6-7[View Page 6-7] 6 0UR M] have to pull for the nager I'll have the capstan mannedl I've exhausted myself entirely, P1l1 have to take some of my own medicine !" By way of explanation, we must state that the doctor s principal rule of practice was con- fined to what he called the three great " Bs" .Bleceling, l)listeri n g, and brandy. In this case, bi-andy was the medicine which Le considered necessary, and he took a dose as soon as possible. CIIAPTER IV. When Lieutenant Allen and the Spaniard 3tepped1 out upon the piazza, a lovely scene greeted their eyes. Directly beneath their feet was the beautiful garden of the palace, teeming with flowers and fruits, all glittering in the golden moonlight, or mellowing off iito the shadows of the trees-but beyond lay the ay, rippling like dancing silver in the wind and moonlight. Several large vessels of war lay in the anchorageusually allotted to vessels of that class, and nearer in toward the town were a few merchantmen of different rigs. But by far the prettiest of all, was the taut and rakish little schooner of which Allen was the' commander. IIer black hull was long, sharp fore and aft, yet of great breadth of beam at and just abaft the fore-rigging ; it lay low in the water, and up above it rose spars calculated to spread an immensity of canvas. Though she was a half mile off, the moon glittering upon her brass eighteen-pounder amidships, and her six carronades of a side, enabled the Spaniard at a glance to note her armament. I need not ask which is your vessel !" said Quiestra to Allen. " None but your countrymen can build or rig a vessel like that !" and he pointed to the schooner. Allen was gratified with the compliment, for he not only felt a sailor's pride in the vessel which he commanded, but also an honest and patriotic emulation in the country which he served.' SIs your schooner very fast?" asked the Spaniard. "She has never been beaten, except by one vessel, the Pilot, of New York, built by the same man, a vessel of the same size and rig. She can beat us slightly off the wind, we are her match when close hauled !" "Indeed! Is that vessel in your Government service, also ?" "No, sir-she was purchased for the Mexi- can p;rin ateer service, just before we sailed, and i probably on her way to Vera Cruz, by this time, under American colors, there to assume Mexican. As her captain intendyl to stop either at Key West or Havana, on his way out, we directed him to bring out our letters !" I should like to see her! I have a passion for beautiful vessels. You wuld hardly think so by my dress and nppearance ; but I am a savor myself or was in my younger days'" ESS; U.R,l "I had a suspicion that yen hac tasted salt water-perhaps you have seen service !" and Allen glanced at the scar upon the Spaiard's brow.. "Sonic in my younger. days !" and a grim smile lighted up the face of tha speaker. " If I am informed rightly of your object in these waters, you are likely to see active service !" said he, in continuation. I hope so !" said Allen, enthusiastically "I would give three years' pay to lay yard- arm and yard-arm with, or to stand upon the same deek with COLCEFRINAS, the Terror of the Gulf !" A dark flush ran over the face of the Span- iard, and his great eyes again flashed for an instant like those of a fierce animal about to spring into battle ; but Allen was'looking at his vessel, and did not observe the agitation which the Spaniard exhibited, though it lasted only an instant. When it passed away, he said: "Your ambition is but natural, yet were you to meet this redoubtable chief, you might find yourself overmatched. I have heard much of him of late years. But why do you single him out of so many piratical leaders? There is Domingo, almost as famous as he; Velasqusa e and others !' " Ibeeause he is the acknowledged leader of them all-the bravest-the most ferocious ! ' "Ferocity and bravery do not go togeth ,r, young man !" said the Spaniard. "This Ccl- cefrinas, if the report of his enemies be true, possesses courage without cruelty, and even though lie claims a right to exact tribute from all who cross his path, he never sheds blood, I have heard, except in cases of resistance !" "That may be so ; yet, nevertheless, he is a pirate-his hand is raised against every flug, and we are bound to destroy him !" "If you can catch him !" and again that shadowy smile came out upon the Spaniard's face. And his tone was so sarcastic when ho spoke, that Allen, who had been looking over the water, turned to catch the expression of his face. But it was now as calm as when he made his introductory bow. "Are you well acquainted with the-coast of this island ?" asked Allen. "As well as one can be who from his child- hood has been reared upon its shores. There is se~'ce a bay or inlet that I have not visited at one time or another !" , "I wish that I knew so much of the coast. Our charts are imperfect-only the larger in. dentations of the coast are down, and the very spots which pirates would seek for hiding- places are omitted. We work in the dark !" "Being after dark men, perhaps it is best !" and again the Spaniard smiled. "When will you sail. ?'l he asked in continuation. " As soon as either of the vessels appointed to act in concert with me arrive !" I should like much to take a cruise wit you in search of that Colcefrinas ! I sho J nv '1HE PIRATE-R1JNTERS OF THE JULF. i I' r . a A A 6 S ri 0 I pit , gy p . rr 7 lute myself to meet him, though I would not care to cross swords with him !" "I a k no better fortune than that !" replied Allen. "But if you are serious in your desire to take a cruise in the Alligator, as my guest, you will be very welcome." "A thousand thanks ! I have some business which calls me to my estate at an early hour in the morning, and must go there. But if you do not sail before I return, count upon me as'making one at your table on your next cruise. And now we will return to the saloon. I will so manage, that you will have an hour's converse with the fair M araquita, without in- terruption from either her father or that vine- gar-faced old aunt of hers !" "Oh, thank you, my kind friend-thank you a thousand times! Excuse the unjust suspicions which made me for a moment hesi- tate to bestow my full confidence upon you!" Arm in arm, as they had gone forth, the two gentlemen now re-entered the saloon. Maraquita, surrounded by a group of admirers, but still resting upon her father's arm, was near, and to her Quiestra at once led the way. "Marquis, I have a word to say to you in private ; be so good as to leave your daughter :n the care of this gallant officer, who will doubtless keep all pirates at a distance from sq fair a prize, and retire with me for a few moments," said the Spaniard, to the father of Maraquita. The marquis looked astonished, seeming hardly to understand the words of Quiestra ; but at a look from the latter, which command, ed rather than asked, he dropped the arm of his daughter, which, with his implied consent-j was instantly placed in that of Allen, and tak- ing the arm of-Quiestra, he accompanied that mysterious person back to the piazza, which he had so lately occupied with Allen. "What does this mean, senor-you surely do not wish to forego your claim on Maraqui- ta's hand, in favor of this audacious North American ?" cried the marquis to Quiestra, the moment that they were alone. "Not for an instant, my dear marquis," re- plied the latter, blandy. "But I have got to heat this Yankee at his game, and must use himself to do it. You know his errand to this coast, and what its success will cost both.you and me. I have already wormed myself into his confidence, and that which I have just done will add to .'my power with him. He loves your daughter and she loves him-the fool told me so !" "Mid malediciones! I will shut her up in a dungeon!" "You will do no such thing. It is too late to either starve, or chill, or frighten the love out of her heart. But I care not for that ! When she is my wife, 'll draw the reins tight- r; at present, like a decoy, she must be used blind him to our work, and to lure him to point where I shall decide that he stops, 4 I ' I and stops forever ! DI shall plan all this work. Garcia de Regla, I only ask you to execute and obey ! Remember the past-had it not been for, me you would not be what you are now-- only by my aid can you reach the post you desire, and become Governor-General of Cuba !" "Do not speak of the past !" said the Mar- quis ; and he shuddered and closed his eyes, as if he wished to shut out some terrible vision. "I will not, if you do a man's duty for the present. Now listen to me. I leave for the rendezvous in an hour.' There is a schooner on her way out from the north which I must capture, for she can out-sail the fastest one in their fleet-which this young Yankee com- mands. Use every means, except open force, to keep him from going to sea before I return ; for I intend to come back and go to sea on a cruise with him, as a friend and pilot. Ho wants to-see Colcefrinas, and he shalt see him!" "Madre de Dios ! You will not place yoi ur- self in his power ?" "No-I shall not be in his power. I a- a, with him, only your friend, Don Eduar 1o Quiestra-not-" "Breathe not your name here, for Heavei's sake, capitano mio !" said the Marquis, wi ch anxiety and haste. "Don't terrify yourself-I shall not. B it mark my words, and obey my directions ivii- plicitly. If you permit this Yankee free a- cess to visit your daughter while I am gore, he is so much in love, that he will forget his duty, and linger longer' ththi lie would do ofh- erwise. See that'it is done 1" "But senor, such freedom may prove har ruin; she has warm blood in her veins, esd he-" "Is so chivalrous that he is honQrabls. Though I hate him, I would trust' him with her if she were my wife ! Have no fears, but obey. I shall leave in an hour.. Mariano will remain here -and aid you. If anything espe- cial occurs before I return, send him to me !" . "Do you not trust that youth too far ?" asked the marquis. "Have you ever seen a look or heard from his lips a word that would tend toward my betrayal ?" "No, senor." "Then I do not trust him too far. But now let 1s return to the saloon; and Iwill go away as soon as I can do so unobserved !" CHAPTER V. A half hour later, while ' the music of the festival came faintly upon his ear, Quiestra stood in the chamber which was always as- signed to him when lie visited the palace. His dress was not now the plain, peaceful cit- ien's garb, which he had worn in the salqo of the Intendente General. He wore a close- fitting shirt of mail, whie completely pro. tected his person, from his neck to his hips. I I; I' ci 1 I _ page: 8-9 (Illustration) [View Page 8-9 (Illustration) ] i I S' f t i 1 t 'i i b I f 1 i{t 1 I { o ( } Qtlf' '1 i p f f a 68'OUR M Over this he drew a loose frbck, or blouse of embroidered velvet, and buckling a belt around him, to which a short, curved sabre was attached, placed in it a brace of gold- mounted, long-barreled pistols, an a long, broad-bladed dagger. Upon his he 'dhe wore a close-fitting cap, while the nether 1"mubs were almost concealed by a pair of heavy-looking, but really light turkey-leather boots, which eamo considerably above the knee. Upon a chair close by hung a large sea- cloak, adapted to concealing the person, as well as to protect it from what is seldom known in that country, inclement weather. Before him stood the valet, or page we might call him, to whom we have alluded once or twice before. lie was not tall for one of his sex; in figure rather slight, but even more elegantly proportioned than his master. His features were exquisitely classical ; his complexion so rich and transparent that the mantling blood seemed ready to come through the skin when lie blushed, as he almo inva- riably did when his master spoke t him. His great black eyes were shaded by long, silken lashes,.and about his temples, over his white brow, and clear down to his shoulders, hung masses of curling hair, as black and as soft as the down on the raven's breast. His dress was neat and tasty, a tunic buttoning or rather lacing with loops across his chest and up to his neck-loose trowsers below, and a noroceo slipper fitting on a foot small enough to have belonged to a woman. lie seemed young, not more than seventeen or eighteen years old. "Mariano, my good lad, I an going to pay a brief visit to our rendezvous, and~perhaps to take a little fresh pir on blue water. But I 'shall not take you with me this time !" A look of pain and disappointment express- ed the feelings of the young'man, but he said nothing. "My absence will be very brief," continued :lhe Spaniard, " and it is my wish, that with- c-ut appearing to notice anything that goes on mn the palace, you note everything : particu- larly nwrk the movements of the lady Mara- quita and the young American officer, who ommnands the schooner in the harbor. Should their folly reach'so far asto look like an inten- tion of elopement or clandestine marriage, see that it is prevented." "Will my master take offence if I ask him a question ?" asked Mariano, in a low voice fulf of music. "No, my good lad-you know that it takes much to make me angry with you!" Does the senor, my master, ever intend to marry the lady Maraquita liimself?" Not while your mother lives, my boy ! I would not be unjust to\ hIier, nor break herc heart. She is rmy queen, and shall be while the lives ! lh'r,' wiiV do you blush and trem- m..so?" Trr" err ESS ; OR, "Anxiety for my mother, seilor-nothing more," replied the young man. "You need have no fears, then. But take the heed I bade you. This American is sent, with many others, to hunt out and destroy the free rovers of the sea; and we must out- wit him. lie deems me a friend ; if he ques- tions you, your ready wit will frame proper 'replies. I have gone to my estate in the country : you comprehend me ?" "Yes, my master." "It is enough, then. Good night. I have leagues to pass over before the day'dawns." The young man took the Spaniard's extend- ed hand, kissed it reverently, and then helped to put the cloak upon his form. A moment later, Quiestra had departed, and he was alone. Then Mariano, with a deep sigh, sat down, and, hiding his face with his hands, seemed to lose himself in sad thoughts. CHAPTER VI. Along the shores of the Queen of the An- tilles may be found many a lovely bay ; many "a pretty little river gushes out through her flower-covered cliffs into the deep-blue of the Guff Stream. Yet among all of these there is no spot so beautiful as that which I am about to describe. - About twelve or fifteen leagues east of Car- denas, there is an extended line of small islands-all of them very lovely-which seem tg stand as outposts between the gulf and shore. About midway of this group, urhere the rocky cliffs of the mainland rise dark and frowning, a passage has been'pierced by the hand of Nature through the stern barrier- which is invisble until one is close upon it-, and by one unacquainted with it would be passed unobserved at a cable's length. It. is narrow-so narrow that'no square-'igged ves- sel' could enter without having her yards cock-billed,; and the most careful hand at the helm would have all that he could do to pick his way in through the tortuous channel be- tween the lofty cliffs. But, once in, a bay large enough to anchor fifty ships-of-the-line would meet his eye-a bay bordered all around by a snow-white beach of sand, to the very edge of which a vessel could be laid. So en- tirely land-locked is this bay, that not a pulse of-the ocean-surges from outside could wake a wave upon its breast. A cresdent-shaped pla- teau of level land stretches the width of a half mde back from the bay ; and all around in the rear of this, lofty and apparently inaccess- ible hills form the background. Upon this plateau-much of which is under, cultivation, ind teems with the various luxu- riant productions of the tropie --are many little houses, built of cane, and thatched with the broad leaves of the palm. In the midst of these, and facing the narrow entrance to the bay, is one of larger size and greater are textural pretensions-for it boasts of a cer' (. -t *1 O 0 1 k e r i' i. /, page: 10-11[View Page 10-11] 0 7' 5l- 1 ;I o ~1 THE PIRATE-HUNTERS OF TIE GULF. dah, a, cupola-rotem in which- to enjoy the balmy evening air-and in its finish is more perfect than the others. And before it is a mounted battery of six long eighteen-pounder cannon, so leveled as to sweep the entrance to the bay. All over this plateau, and among the cottages, women and men are walking in company, and little children are seen at play. In the bay, lying moored to the shore, are three armed vessels-two schooners and a sloop-while a vast number of cast-rowing boats are drawn up on the beach, with their oars and boat-hooks stacked near them, ready for use. Not a flag to denote the nation or calling of these people could be seen. But that it was peab3eful, was doubtful ; for nearly every man wore weapons in his belt, and seemed prepared to do martial service at a moment's notice. ' It is the morning of the second day since the festival of the birthday of Maraquita de Regla. We will for a moment look within the larger house upon the plateau which we have described. It is magnificently furnished, and in its draperies, hangings, mirrors, carpets, so- fas, ottomans, chairs, and tables, it would seem that the art and industry of all nations had shared ; for they were as various as they were rich and costly. From the style of many of the paintings, and the nature of some of the gold and silver plate which was almost strew- ed around (it appeared so profusely), it would seem that churches had helped to adorn this most singular and palace-like dwelling. But of yet another ornament we must now take note. In an apartment whose large win- dows, opening from the floor to the ceiling above, looked out on the bay in front, and on the northern side toward the mountains in the northeast, a lady stood, leaning with a listless air against a marble statue, the form of which did not see'ni more perfect than her own. It was of the " Medician" height-five feet six inches ; yet shc was at least two inches taller, perfect in every proportion. 1Her age was fully thirty-five ; yet her face possessed all the freshness of youth. Her great black eyes flashed with the fire and passion of sixteen, and not a thread of silver could be seen amid the great masses of black, glossy hair which curled down aboat her white neck and ehoul- ders. 11er expression was one of majestic dig- nity. She seemed as if she had been used to exact and command reverence and respect from all who approached her. Yet there was a voluptu''s and dreamy look that told that love could find--probably had found-a home a in the depths of.her nature. - The sound of a bugle from the mountain-top to the north-east reached her ear, and pro- duced an instant change in her appearance. IIer eyes flashed, and her countenance lighted up with a look of joy. It is Eluardo !" she murmured ; and tak- ing a gold-monuntod telescope from a table close at hand, she raised it in the direction from whence the sound came ; and a look of disappointment flitted over he' face as she looked, and she said : "lie comes alone ; my chlil { is not there ! What can it mean ! O IIea yen ! should he suspect the truth, and-" She did not finish her remark ; for a man, armed and dressed with some insignia which betokened him to be an officer, entered. "The captain is coming, senora," said he. "Yes, Pablo ; I heard his bugle. Raise his colors on the flagstaff." The man bowed and retired. A few mo. ments later, a black flag, with two crimson swords crossed in its centre, and the name so dreaded in all the southern waters--" CoLcE- raINAs"-embroidered in letters of gold be- neath them, was hoisted from a staff near the battery in front of the house ; and,- as soon as this was done, a similar flag floated from each of the vessels in the harbor, and the men from every direction hastened to the plateauin front of the flagstaff, and there formed in military order to receive their chief, who could noW be plainly seen descending the mountain-side with rapid footsteps. They were a wild, rough-looking gang, arm. ed each to suit his taste, and, dressed in such garbs as suited their will and convenience. They were, judging from their looks, desper- ate and hardened -men, culled out from al- most every nation. There was the swarthy Spaniard, the sallow Frenchman, the yellow Portuguese, the florid Anglo-Saxon, and the olive-hued Creole. 4s the-chief, who was none other than hirrm whom we have known as Quiestrh, approached, the murmur of many voices which had fi i the air, ceased, and all was silent when 'he stepped in front of- the line, and replied to the salute given by Pablo de Canova, his second in command. "Send the crews on board the vessels in- stantly, Pablo, and be ready to start on a cruise in an hour! I go with you myself." These were the only words uttered by Colce- frinas. These spoken, he turned away as ha ugh- tily as he had come, and entered the house. The instant that he had crossed the thresh. old, a pair of round, white arms were thrown about his neck, red, ripe lips 'were pressed burningly to hIs own, and the fair woman, whom we have so lately briefly described, murmured: "Eduardo! Amer mio ! I am se happy that you have come again "I am glad to see you, my Menona ' he an- swered, far more coldly than her caresses seemed to merit. "ButI have little tme new for acts or words of endearment. I have hur- ried hither for a purpose which I must speed- ily accomplish. I must put to sea to try and capture a vessel which I need. The coast will soon swarm with a host of enemies, who seek to destroy the whole confederacy of the Free ,) ; ;f , j! 1 { 11 page: 12-13[View Page 12-13] / - / I, L2 OUR ME Rovers. I must beat them back, and I will !" -' Aor nom, v liv ty here to meet thieni? You have a kimigdoi's wealth in your posses- sion, you can need no- more on earth though you out-lavish princes in your expenditures ! Why not lower your fag forever, and do as you have often in past times told me you would, go to sonic land where the name of Colcefrinas is unknown-where you have never been seen; and there, with a new name, and rank, which your gold can buy, and my love, which only death can chill, be happy !" "What, Monona? Do my ears hear you ad- vise me to bend the knee to the dogs of a na- tion which has not yet counted a half century of existence-me, ayson of old Castile !" I did not advise you as a Castillian, bi.t as one whom I lovcd-whose peril is my ao ny, whose peace is my bliss!" " You mean we, 1, Monona, but my course is laid, and I shall follow it. These insolent Yan- kees need a lesson, and they shall has e it. The next thing they will do, after they crush out the Free Roveirs, if they should do it, will be to stop our planter, from getting negroes to till the soil with. That dune, they'll ask for the Island itself; and if Spain yields not to the beg- gal's, they'll take it ! They need a lesson, and Colcefriiias shall he their teacher !'' The woman sail no more, but a mournful expression looked from her great, black eyes. Where is Mariano ?" she asked, after a brief pause. "I left him behind, at Matanzas, to watch the movements of some American officers there, who are awaiting more vessels before they coie in search of nc." " Will he not be in danger ? You promised me, when I first consented that lie should act as your page and servant, never to let him leave your side." lie is as safe, yes, ore free from peril be- r.eath the roof of Garcia de Regla, than he would be here : for here, if the Americans (sectver my place of rendezvous, blood will run like water. To give them their due, we must sany, they fight well-more like devils than men. for they won their liberty against terrible disadvantages ! But all their navy cannot eonle ir me here, if there is no treach- ery beieatli my o.wn -flag !" The woman said no more, although her looks told that she was far from being happy nmw. Colcefrimas noticed this, and in a kinder tone. said . " Cheer ~p. Menona mic-cheer up ! Bring mne some wine. I am tired. and will ledge love ar~r health to thee !'' Sh'e hurried into 'another apartment, and een i'etiurned w-:t Iia large, gidein goblet filled t to the b r.m wt h vie. i)r.mnk you, and bless the cup with your lips av sweetene,'' he'said. a= lie paused one arm irund her waist, and with the other gen- t lu11 l ack the geblet. ESS ; OR, "My lord, my life, your 'health and our um dying love !" she said, and she raised She cup to her lips and drank, while the blood' in her cheek, as if emulous of the color of the wine, flushed deeper and brighter. For it had been rare of late that his arm had pressed her form, and now its touch gave new life into her heart. hIe took the cup from her and drained it to the bottom ; then tossing it carelessly aside, drew her down upon her knee, and kissed her white brow. With a low cry of gladness, such as a yoi~ng child utters when the mother comes, for which it has been weeping, she threw her arms about his neck, and while the tears of gladness trickled down the rosy path- way of her cheeks, she gave him a hundred kisses on his lips, and e5es, and broad, high forehead. This joy lasted but for a few mo- ments; for as he glanced toward his vessels in the bay, lie saw that their sails were loosed, and he sprang to his feet. "When will my Eduardo come back ?" asked the lady. ' " When lie has succeeded in his enterprise !" replied the pirate, quietly. " Meantime, let my brave Monona prove herself competent to guard her home and my treasures. 1h11e look- outs on, the mountains must be vigilantly maintained-those on the islands be on the watch night and day, Should our foes, by any fatal error on our part, or any good fortune of their own, discover the entrance to the bay, the battery nust tell their doom. Should they enter, let the hidden mines be fired, while ,you seek safety in the cave known only to you, myself, and Mariano. I know my Mono- na will do all this !" " With God's help I will !" she responded ; and she crossed herself, as if the actions con- templated were such as God would bless. Again lie pressed a kiss upon her brow, and turning upon his heel, departed. She watched him until lie reached the beach, where he launched a light shell of a boat of peculiar construction. sharp at both ends and decked ever (like the canoe of an Eequimaux) except where the rower must sit. Into this lie sprang, and soon placed himself alongside of the largest of the schooners. Springing on board, he left the little boat to drift in toward the shore or be picked up l'y some of the men there, and at once gave such orders, that in a few moments all three of the vessels were under sail and slowly work ing out of the harbor. CIIATER VI. "What a singular influence this Seior Quies- tr. seems to possess ever your father !" said Allen to Maraeuita de Retla, as -soon as they had moved to a place where they could con, ; erse without being overheard. on the night of her festival, when the Spaniard. known as Quieetra, had withdrawn the marquis from them. THE PIRATE-HUNT "it is more singular that he should exert this influence to favor you !" said the young lady. 't Although lie has not yet himself di- rectly pruoposed'lmarriage to mie-for lie knows that I hate him-he not only has made such a proposition to my father, but I fear has either gained the consent of the latter to the step by his will, or by this same mysterious influence, forced it from him. More than once has my father hinted that I am to become his wife !" And will you ?" asked the young Ameri- can, in a low, sad tone, as lie fixed his eyes upon hers. " Will I ?" she responded-and the hot blood rushed in a flood up through her veined cheeks, until, her very brow was all aglo,w- "wll I? Not from your lips-not from your heart s'iould come that question! No, no ! a thousand times No ! Sooner, far sooner, would be the bride of Death ! IIe is-I am sure lie is a-" She paused, trembled, and turned as pale as death ; for close before her, looking at her with flashing, threatening eyes, stood young Mariano. She (lid not finish the sentence she had commenced, but turned away ; for the eyes of the strange youth seemed to cast a spell upon her tongue, and to chain he' will to si- lence: - Allen had not noticed the youth, for he came and passed like a shadow;~and he asked: "What were you about to say, dear Mara- quita ? What is this strange man ?" " My filther's friend, and, as you say, a strange man !" said the lovely girl ; and she still trembled, for she scemcd to'feel that she had been on the verge of endangering her father, by the exposure of some secret. Let us go and join in the dance again !" she said, seeming to wish to be placed in a position where (questions of delicacy could neither be asked nor answered. They were soon unon the floor, gliding away in the soft and dreainy waltz, played as Spani ish musicians know how to play it. The Spanih are the only people in the world who make a luxury ot waltzing. The I)uteh-exeuse me, the Germans--make of it a pers pirative labor ; tlie French go through on railro-ad time ; the Americans go the race- horse gait, and the Enghlih the rough-road, stage-coach style. But the Spanish glide along like rosyclouds in a breeze-fanned sky, or like dim shadows over softly rippling wa- ters. But here I am again, out of the waltz of my story. Nose onler had the m lrquis received his final instructions from Quiestra, and seen the latter depart fer roni, than he took occasion to rejoin- his daughter and the young American officer. To t lie utter astonishment of both, as well as pleasure of one of them, he seemed in the most allable hiunor, and remarked that he was very hapy1. to see them enjoying the pleasures of the evening so much." ERS OF TILE GULF. 13 "I hope, lieutenant," said he to Allen, "that -our stay will be long in our port, and that, while here, your visits will be frequent, and without restr'aint I shall be only too happy to make my vis- its frequent !" replied Allen; and rest assured that no call but that of duty will hurry me away from the hospitality of your pert !" The marquis bowed, and passed on, leaving the heart of Allen bounding high upon the crested waves of hope. But Maraquita was sad. She knew that this sudden change of manner in her father masked some new design, at the bottom of which lay her antipathy- Quiestra. And her greatest misery was, that she could not fathom the design-knew not how to meet what she felt in her heart was a plot to wreck his happiness and her own. But, concealing her thoughts to the best of her ability, she moved on with him as her solo partner (luring the rest of the night, niuch to the distaste of many an officer who would have shed blood for the honor of having her hand even in a single dance, and more to the sur- prise of others, who wondered why her Ameri- can-hating father should leave her in such perilous company so long. But so it was , and when, as the rosy her- alds of the coming day came swiftly from the eastern, sea-board, Allen found himself once more on board of his beautiful schooner, his heart was too full of the joy of the last few hours to permit of his thinking of sleep. There are times of neril as well as times of trouble, when-sleep will not come to the eve- lids of the weary ; and there are times when joy and lmppiness forbids one to close his eyes. May such sleeplessness be the fate of my read ers ! CHAPTER VIT. The Pilot, of Norfolk, the consort,-built of the Alligator, was indeed a beautiful vi ssel; and so thought Charley Howard, her ttapo- rary commander, who was engaged to ta'h: her to Yera Cruz, there to deliver hice to the Mexi- can government to act as a privateer. 'He was in the lahama Channel, heading for the Cu- ban coast, and in Ehe act of taking Ins meridi- an observations to learn his latitud.., when a man forward, on deck (for lie had no look- out aloft). sang out : " Sail ho !" Dropping his quadrant, Iloward seized his spy-glass,'as he cried: "Where away ?" A point or two to windward of the weather how, sir-not one, but three sail, if my eyes don't lie !" "You're right," said IHoward, as he looked in the direction given. After a short recon- noissance, he said. "There are two schooners and a sloop. I suppose they're Cuban coasters, for we should be nearly in to the island now. Luff, there, you at the helm-let her come up a point, and we'll speak the strangers !" The schooner, which had been ru-ailing free, rc ' 'I 1 e 1 ! i , ,! ; ; page: 14-15[View Page 14-15] 4x I OUR MESS; OR, ;; ,, r) ;, I;' ' - , Z c I " ' 'i{7'(( 'il r ',' heading a little to the northward of west, now hauled more to th .wind and n estward, and as the vessels which IIoward intended to speak, were standing on a course which threw them athwart his bows, they cry rapidly neared him. The young captain of the schooner looked at theni from time to tiune, but saw nothing which led hin to believe them to be other than coasters, as he had at first supposed. But few men were seen upon theirdeeks, and the sails were neghgeutly trimniied. as those of the lazy Cuban droghers uiiially are-and as to this day you can see them along that coast ; they were hugged close up to each other, as if there wasmore safety in company than in be- ing apart. The breeze was not fresh, yet stiff enough to send the sharp-built schooner some six or seven knots through the water. In an hour, or little more, the strange sails were close aboard, and Iloward shortened sail to speak them, taking in his foresail and flying-jib, and throwing his fore-topsail and top-gallant-sail aback, while he hauled his jib-sheet to wind- ward. As his headway deadened, one of the stran- gers crossed his bow, while the other two headed directly for him to leeward, all having Spanish colors set. "Look oupt there, you lubberly Spanish cubs, or you'll run afoul of us !" shouted howard, as he saw the danger of contact. "Excuse us, Seior Amerieans ; we couldn't well help it !" cried a tall and sp!enidid-looking man, who leaped from the bow of the nearest vessel on to the quarter-deek of the Pilot, and who was instantly followed by fifty or sixty men, armed to the teeth, like liimself. Taken completely I surprise, himself and his feeble crew entirely unarmed, Ionard could offer no resistance. Yet the proud Maryland blood in his veins boiled, and angry light flashed im his eye, as lie looked the lead- ing intruder in the face, and boldly asked what the deuce he meant by coming on board of his vessel so unceremoniously ? ' We are rough people, Seior Aniericans !" said the leader ; " and we do not understand ceremony. But we have need of a fast-sailing vessel, andl as yours seems to be speedy, we feel an inclination to try her for a time!" Then I 'mi to under tand that you're a set of bloody pirates !" said IIoward, bitterly. " Oh, no ! by no means, Senor ! We are gentlemen, f ree Rovers-no more ! We ex- act tribute, it is true, from those who come within our range ; if they are at all obstreper- ous, we somietunes make them unalk the plank ; ut if they are accommodating, and give us all they have with a good grace, why we gener- ally let them keep the most valueless of their possessions-hje !" "Very kind !" said Ioward, bitterly. "And I suppose " pare my :rew, now that you t li I1 THE PIRATE-HUNTERS OF THE GULF. have them unarmed, and entirely in your power ?" "Yes; but have you no favor to ask for yourself?" "I haye. Will you grant it ?" "If it is not such a one as will compromise me as a man, I will !" said the other. It will prove whether you are a man or not !"'said Howard. "You wear a sword--I have one in my cabin ; and all that I ask is a chance to measure weapons with you on this deck !" Time dark eye of the Spaniard flashed, for the tone of Howard was most insulting. He paused a moment, anid measured the form of his intended competitor with a scornful glance. "Do you know who I am, young Inan ?" he as'ed, after a delay of a minute or more. Who you are, T do not know ! But what you are, I do know. You surely are a pirate, if you refuse to fight me, you are a coward !" "No man lives who can call Edward Colce- frinas a coward the second time !" said the pi- rate leader, in a quiet tone-dangerous, be- cause it was so 'quiet. Go and get your weapon, young man, and if you can conquer me, you and 3 our vessel shall go seot free !" " I am contented w th the -condition !" said the brave young American, and he hastened to his state-room for his sword, a we on with which he was not unacq/ainted, an which, in the hands of his gallan father, ha done good service in the war.of 1, 12 and '3-, In a few moments ie return d, and the pi- rate leader, in spite f the mm urniured remon- strance of his men, ho dis iked his unineces-' sary exposure to anger humpreaed for this singular and impr mlitu duel. There was not much parade, for HIoward-" who cast away the scpbbard of his weapon as he came on deck, tp show that lie intended to find another sheath for the blade-at once be- gan the attack, and that with a skill and im- petuosity wli h for a tiue rather bothered the pirate, aid forced him to keep upon his guard and to act solely on the defensive. But Howard could not for any length of time exert so much vigor, and as every lunge and cut he made was coolly met and parried by his antagonist, lie soon began to feel that he had taxed his' powers too heavily at the start. And by the ease with whi h the pirate met his most cunning feints and thrusts, he soon felt that lie had found his master. In a short time, instead of attacking, he found himself ne- etssitated t4 stand upon his guard wliout be- ing able to return a lunge. And as the blood of the pirate warmed, his bright steel was more'than once crimsoned with the blood of his over-matched antagonist. - Yet he inflict- ed no mortal wound, and only seemed to see how near lie could come to takmin life without: doimg i t-as savages do sometimes when tlhef torture their captives. "Have you not lost blood enough to cool your mper, senior ?" at last said the pirate, as e beat down the guard of his weakened o onent, and held him entirely at his mercy. Howard made no reply, but springing back to a fresh position, again raised his weapon. With a skillful turn of his wrist, Colcefri- nas wrenched the weapon from the hand of the young American, who unarmed, but yet unyielding, folded his arms upon his breast, and awaited the expected death-blow. But it did not come. With a quiet smile upon his face, the pirate thief reached out to the flag which dangled from the main peak halliards, and wiped his sword upon it. " Yo'n fence tolerably well, fbr an American !" said lie to Howard. " When I have leisure, I will give you some -lessons which will improve your style. But at pres- ent I have not time. By the way, a friend of yours, Lieutenant Allen, of the Alligators, said that letters for his squadron were expected in your vess-el. have you a mail on board ?" "Yes!" said Howard, moodily. "Perhaps you will take the trouble to deliver the letters yourself?" he added, tauntingly. "Most undoubtedly I shall !" said Colcefri- nas, in a gentle tone. "Lieutenant Allen and myself are on the most friendly terms. I wo uld not permit his letters or those addressed to iny of his officers to be delayed a moment !" "Allen your friend? Why he is sent out to hunt up and destroy such bloody pirates ae you are !" a Yes-and I am going to help him. He tcld me how fast your vessel was, and I made up my mind to procure her for that especial service" !" tt' "You mock me, sir !" " You are in error, SeiTor Americano-I- am vury serious. I expect in a very few days to see Mr. Allen, and I shall not only deliver his letters, but tell him that the wicked and re- morseless pirates have captured the fastest schooner that has ever worn the Ameiican flag!" "Tell him that if Charles IIoward had only known that pirates were near, lie never would have been taken alive !" said the American, bitterly. "Your message shall be delivered 1" said Colcefrinas, with a smile. "And now we must part, for time just at the present is valuable to me! Is your long-boat in good condition ?" " Yes ! But why do you ask ?" " l\Ierely to know if it will stand the voyage which you and your crew are about to make in it !" "So you intend to put us adrift in it ?" "Yes, senior. You are excellent at guess- ing !" '" You will permit us to have provisions, water, sails and oars, perhaps, in your gener- osity ?" "The two first you may have! But I can only spare you one oar. That wi11 keep your r boat head to sea, and if-a gale does not come up to swamp you, you may be so lucky as to be picked up by some passing vessel. I may send your friend Allen to look for you !" "You are very kind-I hope the d-1 will reward you in the next world, if you miss your due in this !" said Howard, in reply. An hour later, he and his crew in the none too capacious long-boat of the schooner, were alone upon the heaving waters of the Gulf tream, their frail boat steadied by a single oar, being almost even with the water's edge. Their only hope of salvation in life was, that some vessel would pass before a gale should arise, and pick them up. CHAPTER VIII "Well, gentlemen, you who have been so anxious to see service will soon have a chanceI" said Lieutenant Allen, one morning, some ten days after the occurrence of the fes- tival spoken of in our first chapter. His first officer had just. reported that three vessels, American men-of-war, were coming up the harbor; and as he had only waited the arrival of these to commence his search for pirates, he had no further excuse for lingering in that too enchanting spot. "Faith, that's blessed news, and good for the dyspepsy, cap'n dear !" said O'Shaughnes- sy, the surgeon. "A disease which will never trouble you, doctor !" said Allen with a smile. "That's true, blessed be the knowledge that keeps it from me !" said the doctor. "Here is a package of letters for you, sir, just brought on board by a stranger from shore, in a small boat !" said a petty officer, handing the package to Allen. "Letters from home and by the Pilot!" ex- claimed the young officer, as he tore open the package. "Forwarded by Colcefrinas, the Pirate, with his compliments to Lieutenant Allen! .Darnation! Where is the messenger who brought these letters? Bring him to me instantly !" added the officer, as he read a scrap of paper which was attached to the pack- age. "He rowed away as soon as le handed the letters over the side, sir! lie did not come on board at all, and is asho e long be- fore this time, sir ?" said the petty o 'cer. Allen made no reply, but tore ope a note addressed to him in the same hand that the scrawl was written in, and his face flushed with anger as he read it. No wonder; its contents were "If the Yankee who commands the Alliga- tor can spare time from his dalliance with the daughter of Garcia de Regla, and would like to measure swords with Colcefrinas the Pirate, he can have an opportunity. The latter has taken the schooner, Pilot, and thinks her very well adapted to his business. Not having any use for the private letters of the officers of the i i! I .1, r i . t, N page: 16-17 (Illustration) [View Page 16-17 (Illustration) ] OUR MESS; OR, pirate-hunting squadron, Colcefrinas takes pleasure in transmitting them to their des- tination. lie deems it unnecessary to send the government dispatches which he found in the Pilot, as he wishes to preserve the auto- graphs of the Secretary of the Navy, and the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Colcefri- nass can be found on his cruising-ground in the Bahama Channel, and takes this opportunity to assure Lieutenant Allen of his distinguished constideratiorn !" Allen did not hesitate long after perusing this letter. Turning to his first officer, he said "have all ready for sailing in an hour, sir! 1s soon as the other vessels come to an an- ebor, send a boat on board of each, telling r;en that I have heard from the pirates, and shall at once sail in search of themr. I have tome business on shore, which attended to, I shall at once weigh anchor. Let the gunner and armorer look to their stores and see that nothing is lacking for service when we sail !" These orders given, Allen sprang into his gig and was quickly rowed to the shore-where, giving directions to his crew to remain in the boat ready for his return, he laid his course for the palace, whither he went with hurried steps. ('IHAPrEit LIX "Youl have sad news for ie! I know it! A ark cloud has rested, shadow-like, upon my spirit all the morning, and all the long night t have twssed restlessly u)otn my couch, an- noyed with terrible dreams!' said Mararquita do Regla, as Allen entered her presence but a fsw moments after he left his boat." "Not sad news, but good, my love !" he re- °ponded, gayly, " or at least, it is sad in but on thing -lmust leave you fora time. I ihave heard from Colcefrinas, the pirate, and if he is true to his challenge, will soon have the plla- *ure of meeting him on blue water. Whets he and his gang are exterminated, then I will re- turn to your side ; and it will be your own fault, my loved one, if we are ever apart again --for if your father then refuses me your hand, I know that you will keep your promise, and be my bride without his consent !" 1 will, if you conic back ! Put, oh ! I so fear that you never will come ! I feel a pre- sentimentthat death is near to one, or both of us !" said the lovely girl, and she clung all trembling to his arm, as if she would avert the fate she dreaded, or share it with him. Aht, lieutenant, i am glad to see you! I observe that other of your national vessels rave arrived in our port f" said the father of Maraquita, entering at this moment, but not appearing to notice the position of his daugh- ter, which she changed in an instant, when she heard his voice. Yes, Seior Marquis !" replied Allen, "but I they, as well as myself, will soon be forced by the stern call of duty to tear ourselves from the hospitality of your port and town !" "Why, you surprise me, lieutenant. When and whither do you sail ?" "Immediately, and in search of Colcefrinas, the pirate, who has sent me an audacious chal- lenge !" " Colcefrinas ? Sent you a challenge asked the marquis, in the most utter astonish- ment. "Yes, scilor ! And it will not be long, i hope, before I am ready to make hi regret his cool audacity,! By the way where s your friend Quiestra ?" "lie? Why do you ask, sir ?" answered the marquis, very much agitated. " Because he promised to take a cruise wittr me, as he knew the coast well and I did not' "lie is here, and ready to keep his prom- ise !"'said a deep, full-toned voice ; and as all three turned toward the open door, the Span- iard known thera as Quiestra made his ap- pearance. The marquis, who had at first seemed sud denly and greatly agitated,-recovered his pres- cnce of mind in an instant, and said "You are welcome back, e ior Quiestra ! have you just arrived from your puantation ?" "As you can see by the dust of travel on my person, I have, Seiior Marc uis !''aid the other. Thdn, turning in the most friendly manner to Allen, he asked How go matters with you, amigo io Prosperous, I hope ?" " So, so ! But I sail in an hour-do you in- tend to go with te " replied Allen, to whom he had spoken. If you please. A cruise at sea once more w;ll be a novelty to rme, and iy knowledge of the coast may he of benefit ti you. But ex- cuse te a moment, if you please. I have a message to send back by valet, Mriiano, to my plantation, and then 1 shall ie ready to attend you. Marquis, I wouldspeak a word with you in private, if your leisure will permit it !" The marqurs followed the Spaniard out, ani Allen was again left alone with the idol of his soul, his beloved Maraquita. ")o not trust that man, Quiestra!" said the latter, the instant they were alone. " . feel that he meditates some dark evil toward you !" "If he does, he will be foiled, for I am ever upon my guard !" said Alien. " Ite shall not have it in his power to injure me, and should he be so foolish as to attempt it, his punish meat shall be swift and sure !' In a little time Quiestra returned alone, being now armed as when we Inst saw him. 1 thought that vearpons amght be of serv- ice on this trip, lieutenant, so you seee that I have come provided !" said the Spaniard, with a friendly smile. ) So 1 perceive, sir ; and I hope there wiil 0 in: tis page: 18-19[View Page 18-19] r f., TI E .ATD-IIU4Ta be c eason -for weapons to be used before -.Truly, so do "! It is some time since I have sen tIte colorpfilood, except when ri- flecte d in a maiden't;blush, or the flush of a thin-skint'd tlni's cheek But if you are cady, I tam!"i I will nuot ditaih you, sir-I have a word to 'av to this iuladeal will overtake you before vou cait tuach r i'boat at the quayf!" . An yir i' liii-sh e to the Spamard's brow, but hO uilte no rep'itly, only bowing with mock levity t the lady, as he went away. I doot a 'ike i Ie intrusive ;iand Veic I to see tw love's iii the act of parting for a long or a sirdrttiim,' surely would close my e:rs to their wi-ds, nd mu y eyes to tleiri'motions, it' I wee' "so fixed that'I couldn't run away aid lave i heum alotie. Therefore, if you please, exciu "' iw frtom eing evel pen-present at the pai'tintg t'rv'itew of Allen and his sweet lady- love. It is eiiotigli thtat they parted Int nit-an oilearis, toet cetf inmouth, I'rechance.not for .years-- a maun eo~uttiirit, i A 'loudntii pc'tih soul, Wa ei 't ..'- that coti '-'ral not T'ii''tr dtinotty's scroi. CITAP1TEh' X. T'he hour whih thloe hai l td had scarcely pitSed, wihe Iieutenant Allen stood once Itore tot the d ot,ifis saucy-lohiig schooner, and hitr ei' w'ere usyt iii iounding in h e cable1. ;and loo:tng hor :ails, 1preparaitoto get..ing uttndr way. lis consorts, delted ont their Vm a' toil Ly hard winds, and calms, wereli sht of a0t,'and1( 1toud not sail in mt- p-any witi hthim, but theitmommnders teat him1 wor1' wt it u hi olllldr ol, that thley would soon join himt usu_1otnlt rtel 1'Wt ou th Twehtolion'r o'n had iher tuelora aeigh, and hdd utd ' 1-n utlt' i ot'tihiarioder' g pi'ess (if any. A --- whositte thear' was evidlenty I l-f Ii hitinl t a py'1h -glas in his han d ad iilont t a m'ir of the palace of the Marquist de fRela couldhe -le cii from his position on the qui-rtrh-ek, his vesO wee bent it that (dtinn. unt a last they fadel ini the dim- ness of' Iihadi tancetand land itself bcami- tisti i--I aI hetu-i, w iti a sigh., All-n laid down hisglhaw and 1thurnedt' to o h it tie timt of the ,ail. As h di d so, he sawthe Spaniard,(Qui- astra, 1who wi~t fled armis was also lokng ;hireari : 1,lndsemd to bie in a thoughtful - Wi1h this Itreec We will le ip with Ctr- denas by daylilt, wil we tot ?'" 'he taskel, utna celes.. way. ". Mr, ws' stil bti bey''iod there, and amriong the i lmt1hs of the 'Ct-o, where' Colefrinas and his Om:dn rei' said to hav'e thei hatsh ' a la d ito heat it Ant d I prsumltie yeul It'd 15 r t LE- ERS OF THE GULF. 19 The tone of Allen in the last remark sas rather interrogative. Oh, yes," said Quiestra. " I am fond of ex- itement. But supposing you were to capture this Colcefrinas, what would you do with him?" "Do with him? Why, hang him to the yard- arm, of course !" said Alien. " Without trial ?" asked the Spaniard qui- etly. Yes! 'What chance does lie give to his un- fortunate victims! le is a mluriderer, and a wretch whom it would be a firing shams to spare. if he was once within our power "What think you he would do with you were you in his power ?" I neither know nor care. I should neither ask nor expect any mercy from him!" And yet you might receive it all the sooner that you did not crave it " You seem to know much of his charac- ter !" said Allen, regarding his guest rather closely. "(Only from report !" replied the other. " I -would have to be deaf were 1 not to hear of him, for no oiie is mnore talked of than lie, lie has friends as well as enemies, even amongst law-abiding men, 'for re1ort, wiiile it magni- fies his evil nets, also gives him credit for some goo~d and genmeroums oiies! " Well, all the reports 1 al anxious to hear concerning him are, the reports of his guns " You iay be gmatihed before uiotier sun set !" said Quiie-d.ru etly ; and lie passed into the cabiii, atd wxent to the state-rooii which Allen had assigned lin, lie was Secn no more that night by the young-officer. C)IAPTER M. While her lover was present to sustai ad11(1 soothe her with kind- words, Maraqjuita nobly bore 1the ordeal.of parIting, but wh ihe ha'd gone, feeling herself at alone- iaI here was no sympathy for her among those who knew uot her secret-shie hid hmed slf away in a curtained alcove in the room, and asve 'vemit to her sor- row in a flood of tears. \V bile her heart spoke its grief in heavy subs, ier father stole softly in, and approached hier without attracting hr attention. And he looked upon her with an expression of deep pain, for several minutes 1efore he spoke.' At lat, in a tone of deep feeling he uttered her aname. Sli 'started up from lier seat and endeavored to wipe away ier tears ; but they came all the faster, and tshe put lier arms about his nieock, and laid her head upon hit breast, anid wept ill the more. " Why do you grieve so, iuy daughter''" he asked at last----an his own 'eswere moilt while the qjtu'stion trembled oi'hi lips. "'I amt s unalppyfhler P l esob~bed. "'Why should 'u1 .e ilailyl, uy child You are idolized by all who know you-every I page: 20-21[View Page 20-21] OUR1 MES ; OR, AX ilr conr mnd -y o possess "G rieat H eC ve r y ou are m d to . P lean l rt'no' ' lo)his iamie i:: Cu E'; t ? hnt i~ iL hist'' A ,id a /ea m,1 1Vyv. father I A I In r 1 s' i ,, n t sre' 'er, w - ' o one ought to hav n Oh, no, I su nos Th 31 r i unk in this world 1'" to use wheujec'r they ar nab 12von. n ?l( ibun e no reply, hut seemed to proud old I tillino, tI ' I so OltiL(I ui im hrfo e ph op of this ida, for a cielt n bleioh lii' woi d ' M r t ' p in i y' and tu thi m it, ter to w, d a m iscreant pirta t a m i i v le r d, 0 speak. dier !" 1 (, a un u u shr, " did(ti l s friend of yours, " Chil, I am in his 10 u101 o cai ( i ra, g o with Lieutenant :rmarqnis pwr rae h A Tl1 " liver him to 'ot -'g I l, li t n o whii I cail Q2uiestra ?' ehoed thien Viol will -ii o ~ t nn bha, and nameiul ( . tTh t Iiilil X0io ldo not know hI l1i i nio wealth of k hin oum- I as u e h kIt n o I 1J kvo by, where lie is in Spain whieh i n ai1 iu e -u l ai nrquit, holdly-f r her stnd u ion the ¢e e ' nw hieo. uor' 3 rwd3 up,1 11 anid shie wa: - ee wish, nod yoii w ii i0 o ' o 'lt''l hio~av t31i ii 1h1er thanm ai child- "' BE v on pow3er. Thwarot ite ailely31auo htto 1 n ston. Wiy di le " Aol to ae - Vn l . 1 to 3 it I il = t l ii d l iii 00 1 i1' :141,t 51yo11 1 1no }t iiiil I ",,;ll I, I ii i 1 ~e nyihed to ''o by' h~im ?"'3 ' " lhll, li 11 Ci i 10 ' t:At 31311 1i ti " l. l' . iiit , utilsfoP ' Aol t -a 1 d 11 ri ''1' 1 t h toe'l il3l i " ut I i ae lt l d of the n llt i ' i L he ot3If' (li t' i t ' i :1 i 1ond n dwe1030a lt h o ''tl i i n i333 '31-L7tIllll'Ic ' 'If fn Ii lu havu'e xiled hh; to) capture'i, pae'ii I)111 fr -i ii i i'io fo k nno w n b yrie d h e i ema r q u is i n S an w i c il w i O kC 'i m a n r fotl r h ptlP Ii ii i th~ raiandriaiptlit'li olo'i''i -e i n sired . , m 3'lt l l 1o y1, t htil shul uttered a i 3311won "' i' a r i' I 1i'i ' im "'' i''1+oI '11)is 11001' I1' 1P1131 {I t u 0131 - he " And to isavwh ol-c t 1owithonll Ii lis guird ;fill I f whio lio wrle ge il n hvoi cel'a 111133"'"+' 11 1 o"oi ( iiiv' ius 'nl , 1) '' l 110(l I) astiV! ' 103 tlly l t p _ a . h ?i?1' , tla q ta-'( cu riw e en nl -n ofa namveInot know h( is el , leh s elh,1 t i! ail il lo tt atis truo 11anm1 1 hot myl milther fal Iandi to 311li to ilay y11 1 31 ' lo I .11 ill to ibe a3 villin, ''17 we 1 ('umM r'o It tl 1311 A~ mu1 3 10h 1 y11you(know t i marui swi Tut " rro hih y u kn w o-n e r II( 1 accord)permisson. h f ofut' myri ma tt'), awi g th ii N 1li i i i 'idy teom ranc l o f hadf - m edt mto ead 1 n iI\~l=tl~, .~tint fo y u i n oiked out eIrefull . . t nI. ite1Iwd l, with'hit wtmt)I((lhat111 ' a 1 - i'll 1(1e fodform es hark' as It 1133', fin' t lii "t h i e 1r '1 - i An I one we ilillave1 lG ir, 0\1i; 1( 311011 1)13', "= Ii e, 1 fr tll1 MI ti )i r3 tS 1k 11113' 1 0)till '3 t( 0 3311 lt t tn 3 1 11 1 it ( 1 )1?'1 1 )11 '31 i' i't 1(' 111li I n ' ~,(_e f t ' 'i i 'rl I r t' trt( ti 33 ''T it) 1 13 ~ li 3' l 1"1t i ' )2 r h eu 31 u3', et n ly,1 f' r in h i nl - 0 i l 1 1 11 . i ' , i '1 3 i din t '1 '' lt 11 thmk3iflheiw et'lth mk1ifIhe1w e Xt i 1 1 33)I\ 1' ' 013 1 i Clul' l'1 i31ht 3' A'1.0 of n t 1':t )t;3'(:ii 3li '1'l'i(I ~t ~ ' u i i ' i A m il l l L 3 1 1.i'1 ,u l t iiir 333e t,. t ll , 1 11' i'?; i ' l}s ; t t ; t Cm iii i l i nln lore fhits11sedcremlts-cyl l' t r l {iilwlwh 1h1hadl" (Juna m alongt the . foroi thIhh u dane fn i reh+ bre Io fWt', aha I l' t it t when 1(, t he Wild ort 1 Orden : andot( e I{{o m gh p ep ret()'o f hareI'al'om t 'ifu lIE a + ene :i as e i rae tv tkn Io yee ytl neare, ' . -c ragaka,.suddeniV ' ad 1'rlt'Ii t r}(;1101 t muu't~ anli . Tlllho I ,i+ t i nto h r fa her'1very b tp unl m og t fe'1 ' 'lu i . I ( St . ('t FtI I .1 I t # o t : 1(1 : i s 'tn " "u i ) " ie , e t a c i s n P:1(!t' I I r~'l1 ' l i "', , ,1i7 -e(o(w ilans and1)0 reeky tt IIplay i chieh could be seen far away on the starboard "Then those vessels awt 0our approach so bow of thschooer. quietly because they' link w0canilot reach It had just struck seven bells---a hlf hour them " to eight, 3we'n Alle cae on deck ; for ho " That probably is so ! But suppose you had remained- up late, and, perchanee, slept fir3 a gun stand how your colors. P*ethaps but little after he 1d retired. they then will let us ki'ow 3311o an13d what they Quiestra, who had rise m long before, wa3 on3 r"e. teC, andi ut 1 ke1d t quiet and3 frmsh a s if he " I 'will test thetml !' :oil L ilen1 3313nlf d he grave never hiadl ca ouse to lose' an biihour of scep or th necessary orders. f e e l. 0 1 a n in t a n t /o m ni t a l a n n o3 1 ) 'Iuy a n c . A t h eiA A m 3 3et'r i c a n f l a1 lu i f o l ' ! 3 tit s st t oan d " Well, 'tior, do you know our where- stripes from 1 1the peak of the I chooiei, lnd hna '' ' sk ed Alle in of the Spaniar , s h13 the blU sioke of o 3e ofl tc bow 113v gun 0s rose 03311en' 0o'' . - j in the ai, almost simtihaneoudy1' rom1 each of 4 "1t 33'V w1.i. Thes milands e c 14d ' the vessels im sore, clis's ap 1erd. ''cy 1)% )Ii itUos.'o the Little 1 1vi1. !" were the sam e whimh we on3e before heave de- . A l t fo rl' W l t ' io n ?" 'rib ed - bla ck , w ith tw l'ol e r ) Sse 3usw ord 3 im .ht e h1o 11( is s1end oily to Coleefri- erilsOln in the centre, 1nd the: name1 j otf Cole- 13 31neall i'iia3kes311 his hiead --q3imters', loere- ftrimas m3 golden letters blow.m3 tbou ts !" 'I , i l the oth r. " He i, called Allen, looking with care through 1hius tele- Diabolitu, bm I lie is \little anid utteil'y de- ' ecope read the name and noted the colors. vilimh in i d1iioeitio1" 'The rascally pirate is r. ady to meet me, ''\ 'll ! I hI1e fur a chance to meet him. but the odds are in his favor ! said he to m a1'y bialei to teach him) a Christian Ics- QUiut3ra. " That is evidently thu fleet of Col- -Y our i 3 i 3 1 y b eaccom plished ' 1said " Hiad you iot better retur1'n tosMIntanzasZ , th ipaniar I1dr11y Ytour look-outs are dull and avit for your coim irt ,''naked the Sb- h ": ' ' - see 01'utr vessels lyinu close under lord, q met ly, yet rather i u 1 o: ir11ing t ilhk. C h o3int t lantl twi o or thrlee J)OiInts to our N"No, sei 0or,- no ! 1 (' l low1 them 1 thuir te e b 1 1w . T h ' 1r1' u n d e r.l3' P e a s y c . 1an v 3as ,1 a n d.11 O d 1s3 1 a mi d b e a t th e m . A l l t Ik (o f y o u i s t 'idently w 'th in 0o ' m"tios1 !. pilot meit mto the harbor w her1 lth te s em to SYou are r11iiht ir !" cried Allen, siuddenly feel themselves secure." alrunsed to iexdit'Iiemnt. " All hands to their " Iwill do so, sir ; but the l 'rt I schooner '3.talou . at quartersl', and 'as sail-trin r eeml1s to be willing to m et n. the i lead- look' utmet1, there is work for you ahead " ig oft sout-sitt by somth, mi a channel which 'T'hree minutes litter, every man onb board l3ads to open water,' t nted alive 'td wide awake for the proha.. "And that schooner i thl ' 1ilot !" s'ai ability of a sight at, and an engagement with, Allen, who had been low' ' it her closely the piracws, of whom they had talked so ruch through his glass. er 1ince the commencemeit of their cruise. 4!h IThat then s thei vlve i i of which 3' m rs went from station to station to you spoke to me the otherni mht i ? '1ee that tall wias ready for service. Rigging, ".Yes, and she has'beein sco tlon by Col- gu--alackle, aid canvas were all looked over eefrinas. whether i fair tight 1.1 b lisome ruse and a very fes 'minutes had elapsed when the of his, I know not: Io brshall I 1e,r to meet choneriwas reported in thorough fighting her?" 13d r. "hand al l1your light 'rsaib 1a d haul on a A'In her commander ws ine a good humor wid. There are reefs to leeward of you to indulge his crew, if theirs was ta desire to which must be .weatlhere.I:1 1 and 3you haul 3"' woork. As his craft drew in toward the close on a wind, you'll i iin gullhot of the 1(rd with a breeze which made 0 er1 1 m pa schooner when she gets elcr of the island '.:" l andi her hull creak, his eyes'sparkled shoals, which she now is threading"' with additional light, for hie saw that the ves. Again Allen gave lis ordes, : si oon the et which hn supposed to be piratical were Alligator, under short sail, was hugging the weil-3mined, ani seemed in ino way inclined wind and lufling away from thl dan13gers under ' avOid 33 contest. her lee. While her coure t3oo li directly Are v"u acquainted with the coast here?" away from three of the vessls ul isih showed asked Allen of Quiestra, as by his orders the the flag of Colcefrinas, it bought hr nearer ,chooner was headed directly for the sails in and nearer to the Pilot, wlicai steadily stood eight. - onmtifor the open sea, as if, thoe on bogrd Ilam-so well that I can say,.if you head sought to meet the pirates hunter on equal the course you are now on twenty minutes terms. For, regarding speedm nd size, the longer, you will be high and dry upon a coral two vessels were very nearly equal. What reef" the crew of the Pilot now ewas, Allen could a Ah !-the soeidings are good here." not tell, for very few men showed themselves -" And will be until' you run from twenty on her deck. But there'vas room for plenty athoms to two3 in hal( a able's length."' below, Allen knew it, a expected soon to . .t TU1J PIRATE-HUNTERS OF THE GULFS 21 page: 22-23[View Page 22-23] 22 OUR MESS ; OR, find proof that he was matched, if not over- matched, so far as numbers were concerned. The two schooners stood on until not more than two miles apart, and the probability of their soon being in telling gun-shot of each other, grew into a certainty. But suddenly, as sue things ever come in that coquettish latitude, signs of squalls coining from the westward were seen, and the Pilot hove about and headed in for her former berth. "She declines to meet me 1" muttered Al- len, bitterly. "This olcefrinas is a cowardA " "'Prudence is not cowardice, sir !" said Qui- estra, who stood by his side. "You had bet- ter take in your canvas quickly, or he will have to show his getnerosity by rescuing a shipwrecked erew before sunset." "What do you mean ?" asked the lieuten- ant. "That a white squall is sweeping down upon us, and the sooner sheets and halliards are flying the less trouble you'll have !" said the Spaiiard, "A dark squall, rather than a white one !" muttered Allen, as almost in an instant black driving clouds seemed to shroud sky and wa- ter. ie had given orders barely in time to save his canvas and spars, for while the men were aloft tking in the one, and the schooner obeying her helm, was heading off shore soJ as to take the wind abaft, it came like the ebullitions of Irish friendship--in a gush-- such a one as would have laid the schoonerI on her beam-ends if she had not been so well handled as she was. It came like the charge of a mounted army, sullen and heavy, wild but steady, swueeping' overthe inhuid ivaters which had been calm,i and lifting them up in frothy foam. It came like the first angry hurst of a man in power, who knows ihat his power is not "for all time,' but for a moment, pierce, wild, but began to t flicker away before its first rude thunders had died into echoes.t Yet it was strong enough to drive.the Alli- gator far away from the coast, in the two or a three hours it lasted. r "gNo hope of seeing the infernal pirates I squall wgs over, and his vessel once more a headed in toward the coast. "The best of hopes ! The very best, if you ti desire to meet them !" said the Spaniard, vho seemed ever to be at hand when his thoughts A were on duty. u a "How so ?" asked Allen. a "Because we will now have the breeze light w frnthe nr-tha ha1zy ad msty nght; an ec fothnot--hayadmsyngt;adcI can easily take you into the harbor where is their craft lie. They will think you blown off by the squall, and be off their guard l" "Ifyou can take me in my fortune is made. an I never will forget the service you do me l" if said Allen, warmly grasping the Spaniard'sI band.,p "I do not think you will'!" said Quiestr, quietly. "But bid your helmsman attend to his courses. If I am your pilot, my directions must be obeyed, for we are on ticklish ground now ! "I know it. Give your courses, and they will be followed !" " Set her head west and by north now," said Quiestra. Keep your lead going. When you shoal to four fathoms let me know. Mean- time, if you please, I'll go to my state-room, and fool at an old chart which 1shate there. " That man seems honest, and I must trust him !" said Allen, after Quiestra hal left. "Yet I cannot forget the warning of Mara- quita. But if he should lead in into peril, his would be the first life to pay for lhis treach- e'y. lie dare not mislead me! I ant weak to mistrust him!" CHAPTER XIV "Why, hild, how pale you are-are you sick ?" ayt her whom we have met once as Monomn, o the one whom we have I known so hiar as Jar ano, his confidential valet and serv- ant. Only tired, mother, only very tired, for I have come far and fast !" replied the youth, as lie sank, half fainting, on a sofa near to her. Where is niy lord-where is Coleefrinas !" With the very men who are in search of him! In disguise on board of one of the United States men-of-war !" " heavens and earth! Hre will be lost. They will recognize and slay him It should not matter much, mother, to you "f they did !" said Mariano, coldly. "Why, child?" ' "Because lie is untrue to you. ite is en- aged to wed a younger aud fairer woman lhon you It is false, child, false Y" almost screamed lie woman. I nis tiu, mother!" said the other. "His tin now is to eztirpate this American squad- on-that done, he will wed iilamoquita de Regla, if he can. Her fathers consent is gined, meis is not wanted by so1)01(amid lawless a mui as Colcefm'ina!. You know that " rCild, have you been dreaming, or do you S"Neither, my mother! I speak the truth. ad harder has it stricken to my heart than it il to thine, for though he never has guessed secret only ours, I have been so blind, so teak, so criminal, as to love this luan, whom I all master and you call husband-though h I sot ! "Love him-you ?" "Yes, mothei-yes hi f dar to confess it; adnow that I know him false to you, I feel as lie were false to mc. I love bins not now- detest him, and only joy that le is in our ower, if he escapes the Americans!" 28 THE PIRATEJHUNTERS OF TUE GULF. nou power?" said th mother, strangely to two white objects, a mile or so ahead, and SIn our pwr?, adtemtesrney eei ietovsesbcle oehr quiet for one of her warm blood. ecaug like two vessels becalmed together, qu"Yes, mother! We have his treasures un- under canvass. der our control. We have the powgr to be' "They'll wait wthemre they sared till you with tray nhi, and to punish him for his perfidy ! a chance to inspect the wn sad oeade - Yet we will not do it, child ! Were he a a quiet smile; and e went forward to evade thousand times false to me,though never again further questioning." should hie 115s bin lipy to nine, I would not ";stand by your two forward gus!" croiied betray hresis id Monona , the officer at this moment, and as he gave the cry w -other, mine-very well! You order, Allen came on deck. may tamely bear your wrongs, if you will, but "What is the matter ?" asked the young 1-"commander. The heacomGild sudden report of-a gun out- Two vessels in sight, sir, nearly ahead l" side thecavt line, caused the speaker to stop " Which way are they standing " crc the set-ne, cousmenced was finished. "They seem to be becalmed, sir-they do not "ere hat was that o asked Monona, starting alter their bearings !" at the sound. "wAre they within reach of our iron y" " A cainnon from seaward! And there goes "I was about to order a trial, sir, when you another, and another. They seem to be in came on deekL" the direction of the ''Two Sisters,' Las Dos "(1 on with it. Let us know who and what Hcrmanas !" said Mariano. " Perhaps Lieu- they area r tenant Allen has found work for his Alligator "Fire as soon an you can throw a shot a in strangeV waters. But the guns all seem to half cables length to windward of the strange come froi one source. There is no sound like sail !"cried the officer. the heavy netal in our vessel! " " Ay n ia, sir l" replied the gunners from "That is so-we must send out a boat to forward. nd in a very few moments a bright see what is ;7oing o(n p" flash from one gun, and its thundering report, "It is nigtmother, and a boat will not and that followed by another, shook the little learn much in the dark h b' vessel from stem to stern. "True, child. lBt I cannot bear suspense. The hissin iron evidently struck the water A boat may earst Buethig, and one shall be near the destined spot, but no re1y came from Asbat ave lansomethithander the strange vessels-not a sound of any kind. "As you wisln mther-as your wish-yet "Are they in range of our broadside, sir ?" 'twhl be uselsa m!" asked Allen, annoyed that the strangers did _ not return his fire. " think they are, sir !" replied the officer ('IJAPTER X V. of the deck. After the etoin had passed away, and the "Then let them have a few shots as the wind sighed itself down into a scarcely respect- guns bear on them, but keep as nearour course able breeze, the Alligator was once more as you can.r" headed toward the Cuban shore, under easy The officer gave the required orders, and for sail, according to the directions of Quiestra, to a half hour or more, while creeping on with whose pilotage Allen now confided her, for the the light breeze toward the stranger vessels, apparent eagerness of the Spaniard to take h'er the schooner's guns sent shot after shot toward in where the pirates could be found, and in the them. night whie they would be taken at a disad- "Have you an overps o powr n so vantage, led him mmore and more into the be- on board, sir ?" asked Quiestra, quietly of' Al- lief that the nma was truly his friend, and len, after the firing had been continued for would work for his interest, some time. The breeze was quite light, and growing "No, sir, not more than we shall need on our more and mre faint, when shortly before mid- cruise-but why do you as night, the look-outs forward cried out, "Sail "Bcac se if you have not an overplus, tar- hoi" get.shooting at a couple of white cliffs, or ias- "Where away ?" asked the officer of the ands, marked as Las Dos Hermanas, or the deck, startled from a dreamy position on the 'Two Sisters,' on your chart, will not pay i" weather quarter rauil, said Quiestra, quietly. "Right ahahd! Two vessels under a full "Rocks?rIslands? Are not those vessels spread of canvass, sir !" at which we are firing ?" "The watch toyquarters! Rouse all hands "No, sirnot without they are on dry land I from below! Call the captain!" said the offi- Sparc your' powder, you will need it y-and- cer, hurriedly."by !" "You take too much trouble, sir," said Qu- Allen, mortified at his error, gave the order lestraa. "What do you wish to do ?" to cease firing, and as the wind hind died en- "To bring those vessels to, and take there, tirely away, and the current was drifting him if they are pirates I" said the officer, pointing toward shoal ground, he took Quiestra's ad- r +i , S t i ip i page: 24-25 (Illustration) [View Page 24-25 (Illustration) ] OUR MESS ; OR, vice, and ordered the sails taken in, and drop- ped his anchor. This done, he bale the officer of the deck to keep a good look-out, with one wateh of the crew on deck under armrv, arid then tired to rest, for he looked and hoped for work on the morrow. CHAPTF;R XVI. Tae other Ameriean scsseis followed Allen to sea on the day after he sailed, having hur- riedly taken in water tan provisions. They had scarcely' been lost s ght of, before a Spanish rmcrchartman came in, having on board (harley Howard, and the crew of the 'ilot, whom they had picked up. fortuaatily. The American connander Irurred to his consu to state the occurrenici"s whit-h had deprived him of his vessel; and be the advice of the latter, who accompanied n, he at once pi'o- "ceded to inform tre Intendente-(, nercal of the same. The marquis did not seem at all startled by the news, for news it was not to him. Hl" knew it already. le merely replied "There is a scruadron on the cet, of ru m' own countrymen, and they may recover your vessel!"4 "So I hear, and I'm off to help thin, if your excellency will only let me have one of your small guarda costas; and some aris. My crew will be but too glad to measure strength with the bloody pirates on fair chances I have no vessel which I can spare," re- plied the mard uis to Howard, coldly. "Then let me have some arms. I will fit up my long-boat-she can run down the coast!" urged the young American. " Armed boats without a license arc not allowed on our coast!" said the marquis, evas- ively. -. "Allowed or not, there are plenty of them, as our suffering merohantmen know !" said the consul, in a sarcastic tone. "Not when or where it is in our power to prevent it !" replied the marquis, haughtily. "Captain, I uns sorry for your misfortunes, but as you are in tire hands of your own eon- sa, any offer's of aid on my part will only be taking fromt him his prerogatives ! Adieu-I amrr very imuch irgaged this afternoon." This was said iin a tone which implied their dismissal. Howard went away angry at this discourtesy, but the consul had become so' used to such treatment, from the san source, that he paid but little attention to it. "Have you not weapons to arm myself and boat's crew ?" asked tire seaman of the consul. "I regret to say that I have not !" "You can at least tell me where they can be bought !" "Prhey cannot be had in this place without a written permit from the alcalde. Such is the rule all over this tvraut-ridden isle !" "If you are as boll and fearless as you look to be and will take me for a volunteer, I will show yOU how to get, not only weapons. but a swift-samling vessel 1" sa-l a cleas anti musical voice close behind tihons. t Both lowar'd an the consul turned suid- dery to tee where and who the speaker was, who evxideutly had been following then, and had "'verheard their conversation, or he would not have known :hoir wan s. lie was young and slender boy---evidently not .ore than seventeen or ciliteen, with a very dark compulexion, and a brow almost hid- d' under a heavy mass of black hluir. Ils dres was like that of the better class of serv- ant r in gentlemen's houses in that country. ws but few white servants are seen. " ew do you know that I want a vessel and arms?" asked Holvard, sternly. "And why aceyo vadogiing our. footsteps ?" SBecause I happen to be in a position where, unseen, I witne,'ssed your interview with tIe alalie--heard your story and dernanis. antl his refusal. I folow you to serve you, for I can do it. I also wish to go down the coast with you, to give LUentensa, Allen soume very important information, which wiil enable him to capture, the chief of the iratical horde whom he is after " What, Coleer''inias ?" exlaimed Howard. Yes, tix' !" said the yonthw, frankly. " Then I'm with you, young man, if you lead to the devil's own den!t" " Who are you? Your face is not familiar to me, and yet it seems as if I had seen you before !" said the consul. " It matters inot who I air, Seiior Consul ! said the youth. " I know you very'well, and I ans a friend to the North Americarns!" "Whr'tere is the vessel you intend ie to take, and where can we get arms?" asked Iloward. " I shall with your aid hor row the alcalde's private yacht. It is Ariean built, and fast, and he always keeps plenty of arms on board. It is never fully manned, except when he goes on a pleasure-trip, and is moored off the pal- ace-garden. We cars get her away at night, if we are careful and you are skillful, and be at sea long before she is missed !" "You're a trump, and I'm the man to plav the game out With our help !" said Ilowari gayly. " When and where will you meet me and my crew to put our plrian in operation ?' "At the consuls house, as soon as it is dark !" said the young' uran andi turning on his heel, he went lack the way that he. had) come. " Well, fortune seems on the change for me !" said Howard, in a better humor than when the alcalde dismissed them. "Yes, if tlris young man speaks the truth. I am trying to think whern and where I have seen Rims before, for I am sure 1 have met hins somewhere !" replied theconsul, as they walked on toward his o ice, I. - 1 P page: 26-27[View Page 26-27] THE PIRATE-HUNTERS OF TUE GULF. -J / 2 2 2 "S F s T j Y iii t I / f CHAPTER XVIIL When the morning dawned once more on the Alligat or, Allen was called, as he had directed. wh'n he came on deck, the land-breeze was blowing mxlv, bringing off the delicious per- fumes of tialffowery clime. But in vain did he and the watoh look for the vessels which they had seen the night before. N ot a sign of theim, or of anything human, could be seen. The small isaids which dotted the water as far to the catward as the eye could reach, were coered with a tail growth of mangrove, nd t I swoodis, and among these, in channels well known to them, but not laid down at that day in an chart, they had undoubtedly found '"Thi Coleefrinas was very bold on paper. I do ot see why he should avoid me now, that I. a It I!" mittertl Allen, in a tone of dis- ap prinnnt , while he lowered the glass which he dt bll this eye for for some time. iraips he wants to draw you into sonic pmitio twelinee your retreat will be a matter of liflieult v, if not an impossibility !" said a quiet voice, at his elbow. 'ihe young lieutenant's face flushed, as he recogt/izcd tie speaker, and he said I would have the Seiior Quiestra to under- stand that I siall never retreat. There is-not an otlieter or iani of all my crew who would not scoro to turn his back oin a bloody pirate, and who would nrot die at his post, rattier than do so. But the vessels which we saw last might eanuot he far away. There has been but little wind all night, and even with sweeps they could have gone no great distance. They imust hbtsome where among these islands, mind I shall man mv boats and try to hunt them up !" The rpaniardI smiled, but made no answer. At the samiie moment, the eye of the young A urn t htened, for white and clear a1 column o suioke rose from an island, not a league distant. °.Man the first, second, and third cutters !" cried Alien}, instantly. " Let every man go fully armed, and put spare ammunition in the boats. lie in a hurry !" While he yet was speaking, another, and then another column of smoke rose from other islethi, a Iit least twenty of them could be 5.-- 1Ini hab, sir, that you said .these islands were unilbh ited!" cried Allen, turning to Qoiestra. I repeat it,''that they are not. Colcefrinas is amusing himself at your expense. He in- tends tt itari you the game of hide and seel, I presum . I will wager that you will pull front island island, all day, and yet not see a living nui on any of them!" Yet mcii have lighted those fires!l" "Yes-tien or women! But it is not likely they'll care0t oanmain near them on so warm a day as ti l' "I'll s"ott see !" said Allen, and he ordered every boat on board to be got ready for serv- ice, and prepared to go himself in his gig. " Are von not going to join our boat expe, dition, secor ?" asked he of Quiestra. "If 1 thought you'd catch Coleefrinas, I would !" said the Spaniard. " But feeling sure that you will not, I think I shall be more comfortable with my cigar, under your awn- ing, than I should be sweltering in a boat, and fighting musquitos among the islands !" As you like, sir-as you like !" said Allen,' secretly thinking that, despite his fierce looks, the seior was not much of a fighting-man after all. In less than a half-hour, Allen, with more than four fifths of his men in every boat be- longing to the vessel, was pulling away toward the island. And Quiestra smiled grimly as he saw them depart, for well he knew how fruitless would be their toilsome search. Every officer had been a volunteer on this occasion ; and all were allowed to go but the 1lethoric and rather apoplectic-looking doe- :tor, who, under orders, was quite willing to re- main upon the vessel, beneath a cool awning, where he could indulge in his favorite drink, cold brandy punch, to his heart's cohtent. For he had laid in a good quantity of lemons, brandy, and sugar, and the vessel was well provided with water-coolers-that most neces- sary' article in such a climate. The orders of Allen to the doctor, when he left, were to keep the few men he left him on the alert, and to fire a gun if any sails hove in sight. lie was to remain on deck, and also to keep a look-out aloft. ' And am I to be cap'n ?" asked the doctor, of Allen. "You are to act as such in my absence. Remember that every gun is loaded ; and if you should be attacked, defend yourself to the last, and blow up the magazine before you suffer yourself to be taken. If-you don't, I'll blow you up if we ever meet on earth, or e'en in a hotter place !"- S" How long d'ye mane to be gone, cap'n dear ?" asked O'Shaughnessy. "I know not. Notlong, I hope; for I expect soon to find these audacious villains, and mean to make short work with them." A sardonic sneer flitted over the face of Qui- estra, but it was tiot noticed, for his head was turned in another direction. And in five minutes more Allen and all the boa's' crews were gone, aail soon lopt to sight among'the islands. "There goes as good a -heart as ever bate beneath a blue coat!" said O'3haughness, as he gazed after his departing leader. "I hope the.day is a long way off that calls him out o' the world. Let's drink his health, senior " "With pleasure, but you. must drink it In some choice old liquor that I brought on board with my stores. It is Castillian brandy, bottled forty years ago !" / 27 s I ; , t 3 t t , t -- .: f page: 28-29[View Page 28-29] f e "t _ k .E 1 i 5 r -t Fy t s f t it a f _ s E .i It 3 t _ d i a OUR MESS; OR, "Oh ! bedad, it's nice--it must be. ill thing like them have been producci. No oa. drink the eap'n's health a dozen ties in good who has not seen a person tarred and feath liquor I" ered can for a 'moment imagine tii uIue'll Quiestra smiled, and invited the doctor to ludicrous alpeaniciie wI'chi a huiulall li the state-rooni which had been assigned to makes in that condition. him, and there opened his liquor-case. h'Ie 'he pirates having finished their Ic, nii doctor was delighted beyond ieaurne with the bound each man silo by side, in a sitlil- ps flavor of the liquor, and required but little tire on the deck, and placed the door lofore urging to repeat his potations. And they them, with Allen's full dress ceckedl-hit on li soon so opened the shiees of his generous na- head, and a plate, and knife and fork b1eftor- Cure, that he made not the slightest objection him. when Q1miest'a made the l)roposition to take a Upon this the pirate cie'f lcedI a sip 0ou1ple of bottles up an. treat the few men on paper, on which he had writteii deck, aItlotlthgh it was strictly against tihe rules a\Thnese are the geese of Colcefrin ;when icpie I of the vessel to give themu a drop beyohd their they will be ready for the spitr° re lilar allowance of sip's liquor. Ife had just done this, when one of his mi' s he men l inot refuse--alas! !sailors sel- looking to seawa4rd, (re1 out : ' A sail in doni do, thought rum is their deallhest foe ; and sight I" the brandy was eagerly drank by them. taking, Colccfinas instan niseizd hi, ' as it did, better than liii t Ch ciiioi but p)h uresprang into the rigging. tal isky which i as supplied as ti hei ration. ' It is strange,' lie mhuttered as he saw 4 eint the I sqmr p u 1l'coI 04 an uncxpeeted small vessel doubling a poi(nt ef 14144 lnd, an1111 effect on all ands. Not twenty tnutm 140] ing i toward him. 'lat sIurie1y is the 4n111 repsed before every maiin ni board, Quiestia(l of t1he MaITrquliI do l aim ; but whalt 1hold1 excepted. had sunk ito a profounda tupor. be doing i iihlese waters al thi timie Thr me hod, of course, not partakei of the drugged miay be tiachery in thiis " ligor, though lie hail pctenee to do so. e descended to the deel, nid iin;tant The moment that he was satisfied that every bale three or four of hisO me1 Iito s o ini th e mian was powerless under its effects, the Il old cabin, arid put oni the unifi ifniis tfilinwntt tequreroitevsslnA nn ar ,' th ic clihai went to Ile quarter of the vessel neaji~ ca oflieptoncruiorsofe. mr totthe land, and waved a crimson handker ic ie'f toward the shore. CIIAPTEiR XVII. A moment only elapsed before three largd In a very short time, the iie 4 whom he h I at& with heavy crews were seen puihingfrom seleted,recirie 11 p oe Englishflu- amid tjIe thick hbushmes, aindlthey were s001n ently, were dreised in 1141'uifiorimsof t(hI aon side. American officers ; and iolny more of his 4m1en ddSpring aboard quick, my men, and do my lie cause to (dres iin thue caoff grimin bidding!" cried the pirate, as the boats caoe the tairrel and feathered seuam'n. Th. n C on. " Let every gun be spiked. Empty the eefrinas glanced at the American flag et',d ragapine of powder, and carry it to our near- at the flag-staff' of the sc1hwc n rtfiluI 1 Tat hiding-place. Take all the small arms, tionnig his other men to crouch ?ow behind That done, I will set the vessel aleakr, and give the bulwarks of the vs oh, anan took his her cew some pumping to do when they got glass, and closely recono n tried thie laplproach mng yacht. The pirates were strong-handed, and the or- A grim smile made its 1ppearan;o: ' he no. dora of their leader were soon obeyed. ~ eognized his late acquaintance. Cat miii How- "Rip their sails imto ribbons on the spars ; ard, of the Pilot, on board. but don't out a gasket so as to let them fall!" "So soon again in my fl!, young bird !" he was his next order. muttered. " \ou'll not escape so easily this TIts done, another thought occurred to timu, time. Let me see ; lie h1s twelve on board "I see that feather pillows and beds are besides himself-yes, thirteen; a dark-haired ty m tme cabin, and there is tar forward, stripling of aboy stands beside him. If I car in &e rigging-room. 'The Yankee captain left onlhy coax them alongside, their capture will his vessel in charge of mc when ie went away. he bloodless and eas- " Let tim find them transformed into geese on le now gave sonic directions to one of luis his. return !" uiniformied ismen, aml rather conesled1 his own Ttapirates caught the idea of their leader figure, by standing( back of the miiimast, sot ia an instant, and, with great glee, set to ear- that lie could not'be seen by those on miard of yig it out. The helpless doctor and the the schooner, whiel now was tne r, if any there crew were dragged to the quarter-deck, strip- were using the spyglass. o their clothing, and then tar, followed In a very shot time, the yacht came within feather, was so quickly applied to their hail; but Howard was too impetuous to wait de forms, that they soon host all resemblance for a hail from the schooner. anything human. In trt, neither in the . Aligntor ahoy 1" he shouted. ,Is Cap- thLered kingdom nor elsewhuer e' uld any- Itart Allen on board I" T1tE PIaRATE-RJIUNTERS O? t (TE GULF. o;U a gone ashir(inilhis boat, but ailing the American flag down, and then . "ll b ; i aso ! aeplicd on of the uniformed re-hoisting it half-mast, union down, with this pints obelfoon .te lo-toned directiois of hisI note fastened to it, he sprung back into the pnef., beiatg s ihat? and l where arc yacht, which was cast off and taken intow by tho eafts ith for- piratical boats ; and in a few moments they sal Ao bound . ip'tant newso disappeared behind the ishnds which lay bi you Ai vrun iongidaft te niacht is sm1alb tween the open sea and the main land. And, uid ca lie dropped stern ui a long- boat !" glancing back, Colcefrinas saw, just as the an11~d c t dopi ael1- without suspecting yacht was disappearing, the head-sails of one for; n "iiS rdll rtt he ywaSddiessing any one of the Aierican vessels coming down the coast but an Ametrican 1044Tal T or. " Just in time to avoid trouble " he ut u-t and merand tonaa e 1 .fast the imomielt tered - and then he hurried into the cabin, to " t d r o beard and ke ler see how the Senitia. de Regia fared ; for he s, ithe ou ursulil2 ua 1(t ! said (oleefrinas, in a had given (lirections for 014e of his men to use low tt11w4hule iis (lark eyes flashed, anud his restoratives while his own time was occupied, t e Ii e m1 yiIiIio l. Ile found her not only recovered from hiec \ 11tt' ihllt lU 1,ld lie yacht, rounding swoo, but her wcaknes sand tenor had passed to in l lt.'void, le owle 'her 'ails, w hille tlhey away, and indignation and anger had tlaiia its s ik.h ii1diet ahill il', seU'ered by the shill- place. her dark eyes flashed as she seorfl lt~l ~itl 1 ("I o"f 4I.Io u'd Iut seirecly had fully said: die ttiut'htIlti liehituis side, when Ooice- " I find the so-called Seinor Qmuiestraoccc fieia u iii at t'at twenty or thirty of pied in his true OCcupti01o, at lat his di 1111a 1s, leaped p uon her deka, a41, You do, fair Iady ;and having taken ' (tuicherthaiiwe cal describe n4, evLery Aneri- mu44ch pains to learn it, sah e i q. Wr1t an desIitlis 115(i' . time ad11(1 oppiortuniiity tomifiake further obse- 'aluhohadias'l 1 Lsisted towar1_ d to vtions in toit way !" said the pirate, with a hl ! tt i t, turned as if to fly ; but as the siarcastiC snile. 1114d11 i colinefi'ii as toucled li 11h111e tout- " Yol dare iot detain i m from my father 1" t''(1 ' l Ivw criamn, adl fainted. i1d the spirited girl. ttA lilt ' Erii 11ioi de 10 uth ltiihP " , Colcefriiuas, dare do anything -cve . ti'1i'ti lb rqeM~l'ttuhe k t:"'Ia 4' lie 441uutened, a' thing !'' r : irh;' 1 nu f '1 N1:l.a iIi-a Iiaudi h You ni0d ot ha1v1enll amied you'schlf.,i i u e.'ia he rais her with olne knew you already, ad came to warn1 tho :lt't1, l 1 in t1 owartn nd, who w a already American comma inter, so that he might take lc2~I.11111 inl the 1u(14 'u101 0i coule (1iit s id411luing youis 1vo114leseiVe 1'" l, l d ni ove a go nlo eof in a sn e iry conidlrate, my beauty I lie 11114i mt I gave 4 oull, lulldor ptin !' In return, I shall let you hanig yn'' abio *prt ,ll 1l li ho n li suiden turn of the i neck with your pre rstty arm wheneveri o tllit li~4' a ctI inc'C iilytrv, mtiadi no reply ;,choose!t" in r! wee to 111a hhusilieii fIt, as ;wellus1 oie- " I woilid soone(r emb1ra1:c a corpse !" 1p111t Is 'lnk. t" I n ma give yu a chuince to do so, when 31 lu rl +i~ ha . t e 110o now, rev laoi1s ; we have played with l your Yankee lover lon t n ,'ao s I" eriid Coleefrinas enough, and choose to put an enl to han h1 lalu'ast t n f 'toth deatiis of love and fao 1 ' i 1e'iIi lon'' to it ifiend of mine14, ad 1 " Then lie is Int in your power ." taexiittued ivhll er~ u 1 'i Mtaraitquita, who, until that moment, had dread- 'd I u t wi'44wt awh ; iletther are three ed the worst fromt finding the pirate in posSCS- A ' min-' ar but a4 little r p 'Pthe sion of the Aimerican schooner. ( ,' in 1l;dow to 1y te'r r eels to " No ; i pernitt(1 him to go of 1on a f 11tn iiid lhii 'rd.x laun1un11ty.: scent, while I p him a .trick.itis h'aalik ou'i f r thr niei'ws5. I 11 honor their Yankee ; but if he can outwit Ulolcefrinas1 ho desih' n tlhii e ilt inehilatiin Is411m ! 1'said is welcome to my hiead !" (C i'' 11 halu' oh lv. \ liud hu' lirh IiWs still "l will 1ve1 it before another 0101144 foln in' 'I iW l ul (4 ':, 111 ialual , int :o tll' lows this. 1 fear not for myself, if /eis fre 11n 411 bi.1 ii toi uyll li'rsi weil pepiaring to Imut o/u may trnile !' to i l' 4 h! av ,'li t . , "Ieitlhe f/11 norlic, iEli' 1'14mbligi l e iin my Ae ilr, rni irIals on the ta&il, he line !' replied the 1)iratc, with a si1tec. ro' a Iin' to heh, iiisaying:" You1 wil not again observe weaniless on Iy part!" said Mlaaqu1itaprom y. thoughh " ui'i i"s 1 n till' ii C alvi n otillil i 1 411n an o ianiii, an111 inii. a iai l's lo wer, 1 1have ^+ 1 ',( i io , u ' . l 1''r1'140 i114811(14fil t lit, , llt 1 '1111'ulit iliu"lci il """" fut"e " (l l 14tatiCastilian heart, whieh knows no fear. I ii lii It ' I~ct iltu~l :! ''ii"rr;; 0 ti i et i ' i ietco l. 5141 s han be rescued , and you will die ! I fccl it a 4 tl sh a ther caree :sof ert r nen f t;(UC .-I "eeit !" 1 # "ii, ,i i tt ""ii"i "oii A11 11e fri'ii to stu1 And so solenmly did she pcak these la itGl +, t eisr near-timi tlolgli iuvtiA1"' words so prouhetie-like was her tone, that tlo I 4t 4 page: 30-31[View Page 30-31] 30 OUIR MESS; OR, pirate, for ad nst nt, seemed affected. But she dead ihas sne egopea? Speak, before I lik e a sh a d o w o n th e w a te rs e i st b y a fle e tin g llo d th e m i n p a s , a d h e a d , ti " m u rd e r y o u e r! I I neer the emotion passed, and he said, with "Alas, seror! I know not. Somie ntime ago sne r she came to her room weeping, ani la tlue the bridal bed is nearer toaloth of us than go out, for she wished to be atone ! I aredf the grave, my fair girl. I shall undoubtedly ntot disobey her" but I did but gofronl restore you to your father again, but not unti into the rom of the major demo0 nol tinyre 1 you are my wi . That matter was settled be- tarried a little while, when I tltouehi, I go twear hit a myk n ome i and see if my mistress did not wattbe. As Mlaraquita was about to iinake seone bitter I aprenoehed1 her room, I. met as boll andi reply, when the head officer of Coleefrinas en- handsomelookig young ma sho had cvi- tere th eihinandsai dently juist' conic out of it inUt lie Went by We are off the entrance, setonr! Shall we'me so fast, I could on "un in ; features. I went to her door. It was locked. "Yes;if the sentinld1loenotsignify that 1 knocked for admission; but hl weiihl ei-l we are watched ! I will join you on deck in their let ie in, nor even answer tm li.i i a moeit. Send a cou1)l of trusty men down waited and waited, hoping sl waId let me her., as sentinels, and setihat all the prison- enter libut, alas, senor !he a illnot-and I cos ar cofned below. Their eyes must not have told you all!"' . behold ouir secret !' 'A-,adeog Yuslolha Co) s" dAy, andt enough !s ,'o hul a oo to me instantly, when von Saw t audacious gallant leave her room. Sonme'thin il and wrong is in all this ;but I'll Isoil 1e at the CIAT2I I.lilttoiof it 1:'" said the al1iio an1 ohs. Seveire as Garcia dIe llega seemed to be to- " Follo tu iA! aihe aro y arquic s " twardi his child, he yet loved h1r -- d e-og ut ofo te palac ' wAn e hero i t, o hI he had bidden her confine herself to her noom, ot p e rr. 4l and sent her froni his h)-i'nsencc in ngr, it was Loudly he knocked at her dr - ith hit not log before hie bean tos ter con pany, hand. No answer came- odIertti r iili ie thwd to mrd ec than l regret the harshness ofknoCked with the golden hilt of liei owd. i ; ~the wvoids whicllhe l ail used to~war-d lher. Anti Still nlo il-el) ve-vsiomtly after ,li addismissedhe consul i iti!" lie cried, "pak ! T and Captainmllowd, lie sent a servant to bid 1our father tat calls li g co at to dor f servattsoon returned, o ot a sound came in response, Lit tl echt) aayiuig that the door of her apartment was (If lis v~oid and l)ow. ch closed, and that he cold not e- n t ire d - vte andos- ' frmhrwe eanucdh j 3 L'all the armorer !" he said, Imhv." She nessegrfrom her eatiee isef as a may have heei the victim of an ~as: a sin! ai e- front liesa -. Let the door be forced at once inI The i is sulky. I will go to her myself The armorer, with assistants, wasa soon at i a little while," uttered the marquis, as le hind, and the ponderosde do)- ill d to their- For a wled h e placed. d efforts. The tittirlui' iuiled 'in. l'iere wa think while,li-acedto nat f in the room, i) sign (If his daughter iin th firr uroo. thlre thiimking alod-wa custti iotuusual wi t-i she usually sat. e Ilrio n- t r lay "un. C en i sifwhere they usually did not hmi- uni iColcef-inas is alst too uereifit for one seemed to have soccer hiir. hIte half- Wso daring and lawless in liideeds . he said. distracd fuather- Imrried lilt) thei Inn- eaIo- m"et-c any of those whom le has sared to her, tnl there saw, scattenred in d lo,, I lie meet aid recognizeliut here, it wou d place gaients which she aa won wtii lat she oinamt pritlous position. I wish that left this pesnce. itt several atnutrof moa or "that he would withdtraw f'n ti . f- ,wee t n nd aparl, I'such as thad b jeen u sed Iin some m lias- othisisland!" tl i mthe coast of quirade in the palace, lay al;o ition the floor as Thi i ela ry and sii a selection had been'male fromti anmugit The revy ai soliloquy of the marquis them- Were at this inonucitt iteir-upted I1y the en- T 'ley -]c1 u i- alyau-1yaet'ic-I In o i an openI trance of the elderly female at teidiyit ape- It muis iaii-niie t rad to n cally appointed to act its a diana to his dot wi shih a tht, trin a le u cn. daughter. a nto hi i i d oluli h tg wa ti tll teohl - t nd luenna tearlou, senrr- paion atomes Theiote,livtbSuiiu tit- old woniat, as she cast herself uponleri hnes, nita l T hiIe n ee n at his feet. uonerknees, win, an heitt- ei Ias he aiy, i t s i "For what ?" lie cu-med in .ti e "Whet all arllerrIil ts toi yra??n "' Diobeelo, what is thi eri?, aIstomishment. l ttis en a Lb icrimem y young mistress, the Sn ioritaI" she nll till:1bit b - tit- "ape Whatttlofi hetu-u-iin Im."- W a t o f hie r, w o a ns - w hs la t o f h e r ? I " T e-n th u s'u i icrl - f r ! h J I ' l . .I a i i r PRllATF-U 1ERS OF TH~E ULP. is disguise. Let every servant of my house s hundred douhloons to him who finds her!" fo The news spread through the palace in a few a moments, and with the reward as an additional in incentive to their duty, soon a hundred people c Were scouiring through thsiy, tsacho Mefantie, the marquis acted like one dis- e traced. lIe went froi room to room in the a palace, amid his curses wverte neither few nor fuar betsemnner very gentle. Suddenly, soon af- it captain of his small pleasure-yacht made his s appdearanice. 5 pWhat v-ant you here, Pedro'" cried the marquis, angrily . " I hive biddden every one a to git andl search for umy danugh1.er. - sYour pardon, senior. but I caume to tell f you that ic0s alOs ernicrianos had stolen away the vacht, and put me and my boys on shore !" a "The Americans i? What Americans ?" y thundered the marquis, fairly livid with rage. "I .know not, your excellency !" said the old ian. " The tirst I knew, they were on board, and had me in their pcwe. Teliir leademr lls 501meisnd msy boyu in a biotat with aa single padle,after le hid got early ott of harbor, and told me to tl you that an Ameri-- can gentlemntan had borrowed ydur yacht for ae time,uanu would return it when he was done with it!" " A thousand curses on him, whoever he is. I tut his consul or his government shall pay for the outs age.!" cried the marquis, almost , choking with rage. " Go androl join the scarce, , old man. Go!-4 wish to be alone P CH APTERItX. An hour, nt more, elapse t1after Coleefrinas and his party had ft with their prisoners, when Ahlen, with his boats, again cameue m right of the schooner, he having in vaiu sought four a further sign of the pirates than that which hadl been u ile by their iitlars of smoke. Aud, heitug in the lad of the column of boats, lie was the first to descry the flag of his vessel it buf-ist aiswll as to se that three' veels 5 cu-wecl~i iiiuricomin tusiu from seaward. And he had cause to. wondietr why ( )'Shsaugeliuissy had not obeyed his positive order, to ire a gun if any - il hiuvy' u i e w.,i.w -4. -" way at your (ars with a will, ment" u erI inpatieutly. And then, in a lower ice, hue aited : -" the devil must be n board :~l~ucut-r, m'or else OI:taungbiu is drunk. V hat oi cant t her colors cat Ibe at half-mast tr whi l iher hull is above water, is beyond my comprehens oion:" The sharp-buhilt -ig of Allen fluka through the wtr, r t theCi rY -sa in thit-r leader's the his anxiety to ie on heard, and thn other boats ' Clewr-e-tirained evuiry nerve to k ep up, or they saw the sign of dbtress onm board the ehooner, and the approaching vessels outsider ad felt as if, at least, there was funm ahead, or there is no better fun for a true sailor than good fight in a good cause. The sails con- ig in with a light breeze astern, were about quidistnnt from the schooner, and, showing merucan colors, caine on rather faster than he boats, and'were coming to an anchor, and lowing up their canvas, when Allen dashed aongside of his vessel.' lie was the first to spring on board, sabre Sand, fo lie feared some dark treachery lucre, in that Jis was not hailed from the schooner, nor a uld a single living person be een. It is unnecessary for us to re-describe the ppearance of the doctor and the crew, but as e left them in a former chapter, so Allen found them. lIe was too angry to laugh - too much mazed to feel diverted ; but as he seized the yet stupCtied doctor by the shoulder and shook him, he asked, in his loudest, bitterest tone "What does this masquerade mean, sir Speak ! what does it meanu . "l.e jabers! cap'in, i it' yon that- a talkin aud who arc you talkmi' to), amnd where itn the divil's unhowly name am I?" asked the doe- tor, lookmig with half-opened eyes on the feath- ery semi-circle before hin, and vaimly endes-. v oring to u-is-s. v lowr mie you in this fix ?" asked Allen, as with his knife he severed the doctor's bomd. while the boats' crews crowding aboard ende- vored but in vain to stitle their laugtaliter at the sight before thema. The holy sants only know, and it's theu you'll have to ask for information . exclaimed the doctor, as he looked at his p"ron fons head to foot. lBe the man that learned Mioses his leathers, it's me-self would like to know how these feith- ers grew to me.- I While the doctor was considering this mst pertinent question, tie mien who had just comn' on board were releasiug their comrades from their bonds. Allen, meanwhile, whose eye had caught a sight of the note beneath the flag, was perusing to him its iinexplicablec on- tents. " Quiestra has been taken away, and Colce- forina s himself his been on board according to this note," he cried. " But who on heart h can be the dearer friend whom ae speaks of f? By lietaveas, there is a deep mystery inmall this which I would fam unravell" he added, in a lower tone. " Every gun is spiii, all of our saill arsa are gone, mid the Amaazte has been emptied. sir," reported the fit -lieutenait to Allen. "The whole vessel has - eu ruansacked, and robbed of everything vtl1uad." " And she is leaking, iri ; there are three feet of water in the hol,' said the carpenter, who had just been sounding the puitips. nr page: 32-33 (Illustration) [View Page 32-33 (Illustration) ] OU R MESS; OR, ''5 .o " The infernal wretch ! Why did he not sink the vessel while she was in his power, in- stead of merely disabling ?" muttered Allen, angrily. Then turning to the lieutenant, he bade him1 put one watch of the crew at the pumps-told the carpenter to seek out and try to stop the leaks, and then bade the other men help to free their unfortunate comrades from the disagreeable garments left on them by Colcefrinas. The doctor had already disappeared in the direction of his ci ate-room--whence his voice, heard in low and bitter oaths, and in calls up- on his servant for sponge, brushes, spirits of turpentine, and brandy, gave token that he also way trying to renovate. Allen had but just ordered the ensign to be hoisted up properly, Ihen boats approached from his consort vessels with their respective conmades in them. What in Heaven's name is the matter here, Allen ?" asked the first ollicer who sprung on board. Nothing, but that Pvo been a egregrious fool !" said Allen. " Nothing else n the world. I was led to take nearly all m crew away in boats to try and hunt on he pirates, who made signal- mokes on a tyen different islands; and while I was gone, y remaining crew aere hoeus-pocuoed in ))me way - what way I have not vet found out, but soon will-and the pirates havte leen here and spiked my guns, robbed and scuttled the vessel." "'Pretty well done, lut no blood spilled so tr," said the other, with a smile. " Now that we are all toetherl , pecrhaps we can turn thn' tableau on these gentlemen. and slow them a Yankbe trick or two. Don't be,disheartened, may dear Allen."y " I am not dliheartenied, Gregory," replied Allen h;"bit I amn imost confoundedly iot i- tied. lut if ou an t ihe rest will do men favor-imak, I ask where my rank pennits mte to demed--you will oblige me eternally." " Name it-you know that I am in fraternal feeling bound to do all I can for vou." " Then rest easily right here umtil I run into port and re11t. I ean get all Ineed in Man- tansas from tie anenal there, and he back in four or five days all right below and aloft, and ready with yot itnid tIn rest of "the old mess" to carry the war with this Coleefrinas and his red-htitikd gng:tt; into every den and strong- hold they may lurk in. I i.ae been caught once, but do ti iteni to be tain while life is left me -at l:ast in 1hlIt'' latitudes." 1 niii doi s you wish," said (ireTory ; Kearnev and Ranliiage will undoubtedly'do the stame." -"Yes ; what i it '" said K earey, who at that instant mtepped n board, closely followed by his last-imnhed colleague. Allen's mshies were explained, cd the three other otileers willingly agreed to remain at an anchor until he could'retit and return; at the same time receiving directtis to send strong boat expeditions out to try and discover the depot or main rendezvous of the lirtes. for that they had some lace in which to stom their plunder and refit their vessels, there wi- no doubt in the mind (f By the time these natters had been arrang- ed, Do or O'Shaugnessy had become a little more fitted for decent society than he was when we ,4ast saw them, though his head still was feathery, and his red face looked the more fiery for its recent alcoholic sernhbinas. I hope now, doctor, that von will be,; able to give me a clear and succinct account of all that has occurred within your rtiemnbrane, since I left the vessel," said Micai as ie rt down in the eahin with his vo trsiwhe O'Shaulighnessy came out oif his stat -room. "I hope that you will show that you hve been rather the victim of misfortune tain the dope of your own car'lesness or neglect. " Faith, cap'n dear, it's a vitttim ['ve been, that's as sure as that me mother midget wasa lady, and I'l invite the gentilmet t o a 'tose of powder and ball, whoever says to i e' contrary But how I was vietimaized, it lotihrs the life 0' ilmc to imagine. your friend, tih Spanish senor, and mesei took a glass f wtivine or two after you lefttt, and that is all that I remin('tbor' until you woke mn from some ert of a wild drame I'd been having , and 1 fiormi iyelf feathered like a Inhiy,' " Where idy y gut the winiii yot took ?" asked Allei, as a tnraeng suspieit fuhettd like a spari'k ofelectricityeih01 ln hi mhh iThe wine or brandy- or ire I forget which it was now--iun ofrom the privais- stor-s of the siior. " An dii the imiec, get their lbl iq ' fnrom the .1014' 5'ittne-' 7 "1 bhie' ie, tid in trnth,t hiveyoihtln't e' 'got it anyie n ttelse, fr l hadi the keys of the stor-mI i int m poctkh"rel\iedthe doctor. " By Ileavens 1 I see through it all. What a blind fool I have ben all ti ti nwl "' unit- toed Allen. 'This Qineetrat: a : confederate of the.pirates loot likely a piraitill leader himself, and under the disguit'n ofi risnlship has been leading me astray, aotli s i now laughing at my folly. But if I ever s't eyes on him again, he'll have so'ntlhine- Iesides laughiing to do. entlttetn, yvu no .excuse me, for 1 ar in n hiuirrynsn to g t It aport where 1 cin refit ain pr p-nar r' ih lia foray on these wretches:. ill, in Somtt sutr-e, re- trieve my lost hoaor-. I in ut he riet' way at once." We will have to Ib elorhorertvw another suit of sails first, sir,' ,aid thIit' tl-iiatnnot. who entered thu eabin rtimo' tio hanr Allen's last remark. " The scoundrels Lave rib!(1ined every sail on the spar .hoti h It ; oeued from the brails and gaskets." " Btt we have other suit beklor." '{ - 4 _- i ' . _ r c r _ i . - "Y r. , _ a ;=a ;" ,_., _.., r -a ... ,3 rr j ' .. . .., _ : 1 page: 34-35[View Page 34-35] THE PIRATE-HUNTERS OF THE GULF. 4; .;a { 1 . ; . = , . , , t i } F R ' r i " They are in even a worse condition, if such a thing can be possible ! The wretches meant utterly to disable us." Well, thank fortune, it is not quite done. The leaks are stopped-are they no" Yes, sir-and the sails can be .ended. But it will take some time." " Time which we cannot spare. Cregory, you can spIale us your second suit of sails to- make shift to get into port with, can you not?" Certainli'" replied the officer addressed ; 4 and anything else which you need that is in my pissessioni." It is not neeessarv that I should prolong this chapter by a description of how it was done, but in less than too hours the Alligator was insider war andli staldilng up the co-astwith a fr-eshi rle', while her consorts rcIiaincd to -wait hr return, and to wat ch for such signs of the pirate's as ighit be sen. CIIAPTEIt XXI. it was but iwo days later. The Marquis do Regla, ye hisensolaite for the loss of his daughter, a pacing to and fro in his private chaitbietra, only receiving reports from t hose wholi od tuts fur made vain isearcl for the misting hilt-. 1lis face betolkenel his deep grii foir, leartless as he might seem to at i otlieri, ii alitnost idolized his child. lie did -o, even tliougli lie seemeil cruel to her in his smitotion to rise, bly the gift of her hanl to one shomiii le kiie to lie a lawless ind desperate erii:i all hough, in those days, and ven yet, piracy, and its fraternal hand-mnaid--nig- gel'aittolitig on the coast- have not been diii vi-e criiiintal amolig the Spaniards. Thi iittran ce of the Si'eretairy of the In- tendiiite, with a lok wih bespoke news, at- tract el t ie attention of the marquis, who hastily eriod :. "l hs slice hien ard from ? Speak! for by iouri fe-' I rail that you inhave newt of some kind fir ie B it gonlor had, let ie liar t; lfor ini new ti"ill enn bfll miE'! At least, none greater than that which I sufler in'ow " Th eAmierican iimian-o'-iar schooner, whose 001)ptain ts lhadI the i audacity to Iay such rn-kI a Iti-it iln to your lov- Idaigitir, las ust i-nte-r-d tt harbor. and anchored. Tie ctpttiin dislies ani iitierviet with Your excel- mancy I'' ° Adrinit him at once; lie niav -nay, he mutt know1 of lier nb-sne. 'l'e note shei l-ft plaiii- l ntiioilIthat sli:" intended tit seteh ids piro- tb't iiii, Tie' i c'ertetar-- twithdlrew, anid in a fiw -ii{- menNit Allen e'ntered the roomi. " Welt, sirwhmrecis my danchrlter ?" aaked the iti , '',tyei, or'ii-e Alen ha even tun' ti - enlte liim i iii toi)on coiitest' woild "I do niiotuniei'stan? your excellence! t'' ofdn Akeni, hastily. ini then-, while an cx- 35 I pression of painful alarm gathere(l on his face, he added : "Is she missing ?" "Yes ; and I have every reason to believe she has gone to seek you;who so vilely have stolen her affections from me !" "Marquis de Regla, this is strange language for you to use, who so lately permitted me the utmost freedom of access to her.' But your feelings at her loss-if indeed shie'ke lost-are a sufficient excuse with me! If indeed she be lost ?" said the marquis. Do you doubt my word ? Do 1 look like one who had passed sleepless days and nights in grief, or not? She is lost-lis tIed from my root, and gone Heaven knows ;where only, if you do not know !" "I do not !" said Allen ; and thben, sudden- ly, the remembrance of the note left by Cole. frinas came to his mind. ' 1id I understand your excellency to say that you believed she had gone to seek ie ?" he ai ed. So a note left by lie intnated !" "1low could she has1e reaceli mliii' 1as any vessel sailed hence houid don othe coast, except my Anericipi (on "1 know not. My yacht is moissimr, and has been stolen, I suspect, by an A inwrican cap- tain and his crew-onte 'lltoward, isivhse vessel was lately taken by the pi rat es, and who wished to join you ".Merciful heaven ! i believe, I can see through all now. If lhe reachid my vessel in my absence, she is in the power of that vile wretch--Coleefrinas ! Now I can understand the iieaning of itlie note hie left on board my vessel after lie hal disabled my Crew, by the aid of his confederatei-Quieta'" You really tliiiik, tin ii, that he is in the hands of Coleefrinas ?'" aslo the Intendente, while his face wore an easier expression. " If she reached my easel, I :now that she S !" said Allen. "Thank Icaven that it is no worse, then !" said the marquis, with a qpiite contented air. " No worse !" exctaiiied Allen, in a tone of surprise, and with a look of horror. " Can aught worse on earth betl a aidei than to lie in the hands of a merciless, lawlet, liceu- tious pirate ? Wliat am 1 to iiiidler tand by youri expression ?" SThat. she is where she can be ransomed ; and where they dare not, for their oin asakes, harm her 1" said the imeuis, who saw that he had gone too far-hir eiouglh, -rhiaps, to iolli stiSj)ieins of is mynt ecililii-tioi with the lawless hands ofi neatilers wholl Allen and his comrades had been slit to externi- nab'. " ie hall Ie rieuedi it life i left me!" sail Allen. '"1 it tor the: wa'iwrlyo en ;d net of' Coleefrinas-who, by a r i II imo away troum m y vess'1, I et I-tin , el n-ae lire. ini oir friend, Qui.' r,. w:ii 'traitor who aidedthei pirate-i i iii hl.. i s" Wi tics to cal Quith n ra a traitor ?' page: 36-37[View Page 36-37] -I TIl E PHIATE-IIUNTEIIS OF THlE(GULlF. 37 Sc ()tJIL M r. 4 ; o H, o1'i('t1 w.1! I(!:+)t;'P r).- +' + t !^ (1nr+:' : all(1 t11t? Ili a f;w (Ini . if T cannot v1n t, I IIE'C'(i I1+' it, 1u-,t1t'tt Ltt+ ftii"it - rf' i {_!t f()I':' 111U Ilert', I It4THt t1 l to C1 .11 IL.tUI1, c)] 1 i' t o ltl liis fc11in i' lLill C':t Ir: (i,'1 _ ', tr ttllout a r CJut l l)t)it ' of tll+ U iiitotl t:it+' t Hitt I \'i,;l;'" \vt'tlI)()li 111,()I1 iiilli. 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IL ('1'!t"I ()tit. ; t " 11tH In Illtt;'l. 1,1tint" l!lt:tl'y 1Ytt'i ii l' ' ii, 115'11 I1 ;1('1 ,lll\" in :1 )iii ' if 1 \\ !t \ Hi'- lint' (t;li+"o1t':t vlt('ul'i 1)!'t'{t'll'I It) 11+, i h11ral!'\ , t'i !ii''i tit' WV f' :hi, ('t)1'"t'i'itl''o, till wHii ll+' k iii, t I(1i'' Haiti I c':lil ilitt 1'. tltil+l t' i)ittt' vat- t', :'l5+h ::t H'T' t '1'w 'It'," t-o1ih fit' t. { I ti 1 111t 11 l1t 1 1 1 t' \" " 1!'t'{i it' ' i'itl 1 ' 1tt'tl 111' lttt t~ t', 1 it:t\ .' ti ll S t 1 f' . +,I 1 1 t', I ii' , 1 l r ; t [ ' l I I I t{ fir fir ( t+lt +'11'11',:', tliltl it \V llit'!i 1 li'ly '' I' -'l !'ii it'' t {' 'ii ' 11 t", \1 't itl ' 11,1 .l ,' 'it iota '4,i'ilit 1 '' :t I+bi'tJ t , h - 11'1 1+ e it a t Ili llt)Ilt)i' +'1 TI V' a t' iii+' il;,tla lit i t' t+l' i 1:1 -l, 1 : t(tilI i lil+)t1' I t ttt'1' a 1+1' a "i:tto 1 lit 111" \I'li'+'tii e1'- II " !, ; t ' :n 1'I it-:', It ltttt'i't'i tl ltt'a liit:; a tltl li 11 "t ( it, tl+":ll i'. , t 1t t it lt t 1 lit t" :ittfilfr'i+'tti :i":,, ;tl!(1 IliT:ll!rc . t['. _I t11 _ ti .1 c' V r i ii tit) t1iI 1 t T t'.S.I, :.l1' : 11 ,1,:+ l to' Ill: ' ti)I' t i lit lt+ t' itlt tl+1t' :1 11+1'i, 4th 1' 11() t1+.tllll 1Jtit ' tttlw ) a h ilt' tl illi-it, t 11th±'r 'ii til l {'1' , atiYtili, lilt 1 ('011 "IV" 1 '1'' 11 t;Ti \Ilt'ii "i (l.iv- 110.,- "titl'it:~''I 1 1 tltilt' w'll+"1 '\' t' 11+' t1 ,.it' , I{ ' 1G 1 11011 , 1it+' ill:)I1 ill I1!" lt (+h 1t'i' a li t t':t ! 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' 1 tv':it' 11i1i1 11(117, :ttltl \1t'iIi I11,'t't, 1tint (flit' iasf:1111r i t " Fir t)tlt, tn}; A't'r'vt.'l''p--"W1y. hilt] 151 Iil not," lull roilt \i lilt, l} F )1't)Ii:' all r+.; r('f {.111 (Ii) i'..i.td Al 1!'ii, iA+t,'t'til.y" ... ji For ' o.i ),t, 1 of CCItryIi l r tilt' i!.tS. V lovely andt angelic daughter, 1 would rat, Lw Laefuyua n h ~~ilS iiionlest loltil, thatnlito see 4von the pit 'IetOot of all lie awotltU tever owyied liN' Ilto lmarqulis now41really blushed~t, lhr he felt t~ilt it egi~iti ill fir gill tIit if1111,inod llt i't 1't'U~iin 01 itt] of ti'tn t pi i t lh s ii n \to' ais ofI to siit at II ti' lit e'I i thu ofi lt IV 1)L~i l s'i'ld IInd ofis 43il I' i1114Ititl I'itio tit Ut ' 1 iilitl i d ill I ll 'I t}N1 )i1 Ic r u et t 1 ), 0 11 'hsat W t h n ) 0 o t 1 ") 1 o d e , I t i, i' 1"'hiflit er' ti ie'114 I t'reXd tin;)li ai'gls1) uhei- li ft-tound tfe' 1 iltil 'Fbe olei''l etrs ili iii I'ns11 ,tilt tll ttlll.ruien 4101ilhunt h li ue u(''ti inlopdAeicanudtnll'mitsj 'ili '.',li lue10 il y out d~o oi' ' 11)1d let (If al -Clli l, i e i l et' aiitfiII'-i t), al lvlit'1 l le frt t oonh dow n.dAforitllt ti,, ett iyouotil' i't':tly eix' hltlyehar I' 111(1ill' e ue' lig he lion.slto halthnevte, ':1134.'why tededIig id ' yoXXh11di)111 )li ld i fl11 itred a' of l 011'in 'witdtht . i l]i is 1th. "ut], oiodis e tid tto toy'own.bfer' than, l' Cil iillseofth o eret eily. obultifo'ate 11 till)'X toli ly.t i I iti I t0 Irh'XVlito15 mi i 1en wonragey'lthonl'v lons' to be tlilIitifo- I."1( '0'1deIii lt he.Xoas11t, quImt u1i 01.Wlicis Wr I lls (11111 ' I'llan]ou .tli~e f'tio. ' ilyt] da ughter!'----ii(wherefiid ()u;fand U 1 1li'iotid XXof 4'youllctin hu1111,'lguile' Icorainee w, he dCIlust' 11. le'elJlw art,(W111 110(0011] tn ee Ii lison' aonda hi'1inXJti{l tV cll: to betnory11htodlnd utoi -t ' 11 ntto f1()Wfiti' knewf iy 1111said0 1)1 mlay fliasliodowl foll o"e~d 1t1h oolr frot ts. himrt ytn1h. uetn1.Wi tl't1I selisnhydblidef, whoa0out'romc °lhtiIe turted atavpemd let tleof ourh tomintrs t wasfearful theofacitehf"ls(i) page of C'oleefl'ilIstile ehild] of lt141tconfidinlg 111is11'044. 'fli leedi'lI 04025 Iif Mii1itilio were' Sonol11w IIX thtIX tO 141X'lit the IIt'trea- 1l I0'.(' etiN t il if 01:1 'i 1V Ilit l 11111itti er 1'iill r l'l'i 111i')) ' t 'ttu 11XXIl 4111(1 i him /ill! - -nof l ilt'04)4: ? tW'll ,.c0 I-il t' (' Ie 4'0 : 1 )r C lit ' i 1:111 0n ' 't ; 111 4 I+171 S ht ra ' i lov rlt 'j l- i l t 1!' i L't'il' Ctti' 1 )40Il ' l tt (I e ib''fr tt', lt th fe'i'itu l .huit l .11, lt 'iI'','.lilt) 1X liit' huh ditIV, :1 1 inl ' ii til~l'. t(11111 ll1t110_x. 1 Iill we-h 111 (10It'i lt tll o( ,If I . mo'll tl!t'4 )1 11i'f.t 1)Cll!41+)110S~i liiI'i:: 'itt!';il'morbuhatis' 4,1i11 n 1teI rr 11 ' t Iite''1Iitlin] lt tite----oali ' 'i to I'l l''. e e 1ooitii l 1^ ~tl1. }Ii Ito011)1oafelt'dl 1fbi"0 XX11100, ti'IIJI'ttiliii1't.' t tISern 101of l('bt .'1 l pint1(11 s, iij t ere d~uel iibloX00si0Xly In'Ipt 1'Iufoly- (itd of t'i' 1)1 tile Dvil.f'fIi14.'1)1111i1 flume;XXftr' toi'lilaiili 1u(ilr t 1onebit 100'110 l)Vhiel1,11ie In~ i' 11( of d(th soaretile, ' 1110Illiit'0, 0)tl1l114)h1t0 1)111 ofthe euieti 1011111(h 'ii.l ril t i hm , l a t ' T1 0:11111: illii n 4i lnfl'111111 a1 hadoa'edto e l :,+, fSX ' ii'1'0i11011]lke sllieioI lita l)1_ o tero-e'a iorec--and11)1'h. iii 11 iug so o ii r- I xa ; z; , f i page: 38-39[View Page 38-39] -s i Act h I' Y r r t 3q3 1 S i [ 1 I - t s 3 a i=q 3 =8 t t i x;t Y z 5 IF Yi :f .q THE PIRATE-HUNTERS OF THE GULF. 88 OUR MESS; OR, men, yet not sunbrowned and bronzed by storm have often had occasion to see, when, with and tempest, as were their comrades, whose him, you visited my father's house, and before scene of action lay abroad. All around this I knew his dreadful calling and terrible name. huge cavern were boxes of goods, stores of Is it not so, good Mariano ?" provisions, arms, and munitions;; and the The youth bowed his assent, and then ask- greatest wonder to one would be, how they got ed; there? It was lighted by hanging lamps of " Why does the seijorita call me good Mari- silver, such as are still to be seen in the old ano ?" cathedrals and churches, from whence they " Because you speak kindly and gently to had probably been taken ; for pirates neither me-have ever done so ; and it were very fear man nor God, end seldom indeed have been cruel, and, besides, unnatural, if I replied or known to respect sanctuary. acted other than kindly in return. You could But beyond this hall were rooms, into which do one act, Mariano, which would outmeasure none but the chief and two or three of his a million words of kindness. You could ; yet servants and most faithful officers were ever I dare not ask that which I know you would permitted to penetrate ; and from these often refuse !" came runiors, that within all was splendor and " Lady, I do not misunderstand ydc,. You magnificence, of a character almost too bril- would ask me to aid you to regain your fr'ee- liant to describe. It was known that thither dom !" had been conveyed the almost countless trea- "I would, good Mariano ; and so far as I sure which, in ninny years of daring piracy, could, would reward you." had been amassed ; but many a secret yet lay " I ask no reward, lady ; it was to give you within those inner doors, which none dare to hope of this I came now-but faint hope, whisper, and but few knew. Let us begin to alas ! for you are guarded by those over whom overhaul some of them. I have no influence ; and only cunning and In an apartment, curtained with crimson the wit of-" velvet, which blazed with wreaths and flowers The youth paused and trembled ; for other of jewels, and through which a soft, dreamy and heavier footsteps than his had been were light was east by several moonlike lamps, heard close at hand. pendant from the lofty ceiling-a room furnish- Placing his finger on his lips, as a sign of ed as a chamber and sitting-room, with every ar- caution and secrecy, Mariano sprang behind ticle which luxury could dictate, or the heart of the heavy curtains, which concealed an al- an empress desire, stood a pale, tearful, but cove, in whidh the- lady's couch was placed ; yet very lovely girl. She stood in an attitude, and though thus not left quite alone, Mara- and with a look almost of utter despair. Wine, quita seemed so to be when the hated pirate fruits, and other food stood untouched upon a chieftain entered the room. table before her-she seemed not to look upon He seemed surprised to see her so calm, so one of the thousand beautiful thingsabout her, haughty, and, withal, so full of bloom-for but to gaze abstractedly in the air, while her that one ray of hope had left a flush of beauty hands were clasped together, as if bound by on her cheek, brighter, it seemed to him, than the icy manacles of despair. he had ever before noted there. He hal come But at the sound of a coming footstep she expecting to find her drooping, wretched-a aroused-aroused almost fiercely, brushed the leader at his feet. Now, almost queenly in tear-drops from her cheeks, and drew her form her majestic beauty, she stood erect, and with up haughtily ; and turning toward the closed a flashing eye, confronted him. door, glanced with black, flashing eyes thith- "Your beauty improves with your. resi- erward, as if she expected to meet, and-by dence here, fair lady !" he said, as he paused her looks-would repel some hated eneniy. idwav of the room. The door opened ; and her fierce, deter- She made no reply ; but gazed upon him mined look softened, as if the visitor who with a steady but a scornful look. came was not the one whom she had expected. "And your power of conversation sums to That visitor was none other than the youth have rather failed !" he added, sarcastically. Mariano. And in his look there was such a "When I was last here, you tried threats, ro- mingled expression of kindness and pity, that proaches, pleadings, and even curses. I it was no woiiler the lady's fierce glance had thought you grandly beautiful when, in your so suddenly softened. anger, you cursed me-none but a very pretty "You expected my master, lady," said the woman can curse, and lose nothing of her youth, as lie bowed low and deferentially beauty in her wrath-but I have never seen "I dreaded tlat it was he who approach- you look quite so well as now !". ed " replied tie fhdy. ..Not even when, by your connivance and Wihy does the enorita so dread him? Is my Ether's consent, I leaned upon the arm of he not handsome ?" asked the youth, in an ap- my heart's husband, the brave Allen, on my parently careless manner. birth-night ?" she asked, in a tone even more "Is le'not my captor and my jailer ?" asked sarcastic than his own had been. the fair girl; "has he not long been hated by "Your heart's husband !" he cried, bitterly. - me? This, as his confidential attendant, you "Your heart will soon be widowed, if he hold that relation to it! His doom is sealed ; for within three days he will be in my power, and with his whole crew shall be sent to eternal perdition ! If you doubt it, you shall see his head, and that shall grace our bridal feast !" "Monster! I have known you to boast be- fore. heaven will protect him; and your guardian, who reigns below, will desert vou " Hardly ! I have served him too long and well for that. But, no more of this nonsense. You, having found the use of your tongue, may belay its running-gear for a while,'and open your ears. I have been to see your fa- tier." "Does he know where I am ?" "lie knows that you are my guest." "And is he content with that knowledge ?" " Perfectly ; but would like to see you as soon as convenient after you have become my wife. Why do you smile, fair lady, so mock- ingly, ?" "It amuses me to notice with what grace you can utter falsehoods." "But, by heaven ! I utter the truth. You smile again !" "Yes, to hear you swear by a place of which you know nothing now, and which will never know anything of you !" "You seem determined to provoke me! It is rather a dangerous amusement, as you may find to your cost." "Those who do not fear danger, never pause to count the cost." "And so you do not fear me ?" "We are not apt to fear those whom we despise !" "Girl, beware ! Do not tempt my good- nature too far!" "Your good-nature ! Let the ape boast of its beauty-the serpent of its harmlessness, after this !" "You will regret this, proud girl; but I will not war in words with you now. When next we meet, prelpme for two pleasant surprises. I shall bring you two presents: one will be your wedding-ring-the other, the head of your heart's husband Z" With a frown darker yet than his threats, the pirate turned away, and strode heavily from the room. After the sound of his footsteps had died away entirely, Mariano came out from his place of concealment. "You bore yourself bravely, lady-almost too bravely, [fear ; for he will suspect some hope has cheered your heart-some thought that you may yet escape," said he. "No; he will, rather, think that my $espe- ration has forced away from my heart all fear of him, and that I am' provoking him to slay me !" said the lady. "But what did he mean 'by saying that he had Allen in his power-or woul have, in three days ?" "That a challenge has passed between them to meet upon the ocean, vessa~r to vessel." "-Then I fear not the result. Allen will be the victor !" "Were it not for treachery, lady, he might." "For treachery? What do you mean ?" "That your own father, lady, who supplies Allen with his powder and arms, is to give him a worthless.article ; and thus the Ameri- can will be in the power of Coleefrinas !" "Great Heaven ! Oh, do not say that my father will be guilty of such an act ! It can- not-must not be 1" "Alas, lady, it doubtless has been done, and the gallant American is by this time at sea, proceeding to the spot where my master is to meet him." "Oh, cruel, cruel butchery ! This must not be. Mariano, he must be warned in some way. Can I not be set free-or, in some dis- guise, get on board the vessel of your master -so that, if I :cannot save him whom I love, I can at least die with or near him!" Mariano shook his'head mournfully, as if to imply that it was impossible. Tears started in those black eyes, which so lately had flashed back glance for glance with the haughty pirate. "0 Mariano, you have never loved !" said Maraquita, with a low sob of agony. "Would to Heaven I never had-did not !" said Mariano ; and never did a deeper blush suffuse the cheek of a timid girl, than for a moment reddened his. A light step at the door-a w "hist"- was heard. "I am called ; your sentinel, who is my friend, has given me my warning !" said Marr- ano, hastily. "If I can see you or aid you again, I will." ,lie bowed his head, and kissed Maraquita's band; then, in a moment, was gone. When she raised her hand, and saw that he b"ad left a tear-drop there, she wondered, but only said: "It is a jewel. All that I have. A gem of pity. heaven help him whom I love ! Hea- ven help me !" And again she paled, and drooped down as despairingly as we found her when we opened this chapter. ChAPTER XXIIL Once more at the rendezvous. The harbor was full of small boats, and there were several more of the sloops and schooners in than were there when we first described the place. And by the number of men aboard and on shore, not less than a thousand, perchance one-half as many more, it was evident . that the pirates had been driven in by the vigilance of the cruisers outside, and were collected either for some formidable foray, or else for the purpose of making a last and a desperate defence. The latter, indeed, seemed most probable, for all of the vessels, with one execution, were moored : page: 40-41 (Illustration) [View Page 40-41 (Illustration) ] OUR MESS ; OR, a o ana stern, in a matmer to bring thiiir broadsides to bear u)on the hidden entrance to their harbor. The exception alluded to nas the beautiful clipper which the pirate-chief ald talon from Iloward, and'which so nearly matched the Alligator in build and equipment, }vhen the latter was as she should be, ready for i mad for action. t [r sails were loose and ready for hoisting :md shitintilg hiote, her picked crew were all 1 botr1, lie' anchor was nearly apeak, and c 1l' was the daring leader of those daring nct waild for on board before her wings would b ? real to the land breeze, which was already b0 )iwing to waft her out to sea. The sain was s!inlg, and though it was setting in a dark aind heavy cloud-bank to westward, no on1 seed to'notice that. All eyes were t unr'ied it un the chief, who, dressed in a styleI o' kitgiv mtagnifhcence calculated well i 11asej Kl h'voted but barbarous followers, eha julist h-ft, his house on shore, and walked though th' masses of his men to tlih boat, whiih lay eady to carry him off to the vessel which horse his flag. There was no sound of cheerine bitt imany irighit blade waved inl the air,'iany a low word of cheer fell ot his ear. Douhtls-, pren- deuce had caused an order for this unusual si- len'ce ; for with the breeze the sound if a thou- sand or more lusty.voices would be borne al- imost as far as the booming of a gun. Coleefrinas was soon upon his deck, thlow word of command was given, the anchor ran up, and, as if by magic, every sail was hoisted nl sheeted home at once ; and gracefully the schooner veered away toward the narrow en- trance, seeinlug to iove over, rather than through the water. Er the gray of twilight had darkened upon the bloom of sunset, the vessel had passed from view, and then the metn who were left behind returned to their usual patimes when at leisure-cards, dice, doni- ioes, and wine. The moment that Clcefrinas hand parted frem Moma, his queely mitstress, at the tren-j iden'.ous--th toparting, too, had been stratsely {ttl oin his parl, atd ilppii'itly its fond on h-----11'h tu'ed i)toMa'iaio, who h bieen lteft bhiinId, for (oleefrinas took to supertntu'rt- r ont thitt trip, tad quickly 'asked, while her swtellig hosot, lbiroe ey,'et, antd flushed cheek ld hier passion, this question Now tell me, child, and quickly, what has bee his treacherv to toe. for traitor I know ht, has beett and is, not from your hints alone, but front a fondness that niut be simulated whetn it is so uttntsal-teli toe, what has it liten" You know, my tmothe'," replied the youth, that when last he camne iI the iight with sonte American prisoters and hurried them away to the mountain, that he also told von that lie had a treasure to add to his horde." "Ay! I remember that !" " The treasure was a' wontm Wwhom he ba. swain to make his bride." A ona'a !' gasped Mononn. " A woman, youtgl d very air---the daug h- ter of the Intentte4 generall of Maitanzs, whom for a year or more ha has beon trying to win willingly to his arms. In that le has failed, but she has fallen initohis power. ") sheh11a him ' askd i.dthe another, abno. t gaspingly. T es, loalies and d IsIts hint, and does not f'ear even in her capti \ iy to tell him so." "'That naves her life,'' sail \hoa, as she drew an eier bt' 'rt hi. ' .1ad it 1ee1 other- wie, would haveSlainl her with my own hand. Ihat she must be freed from his power. The gnarls will release her at ty coniuand." " They will deiy that she is there, mother," replied Matriatn. '"t1 was only by accident that I learned that sle was in hislsower--'onily bV bribery and the friendship of old Bartom- eo, that I found opportunity to see and speak to he 'r. 11 wite can effect her rescue at all, it mnutt be by cunitng ;fr you know force will not avail there, and the ni are sworn to him, hut not to us." "'Irtie," said tlh'tonia-" true, but it must, be done. As for hinm-fhim "t \Khatfor hit, nother-h-afatfoghim?" asked Mariano, ('tagerly. " That is notling i you, child---Ill think of that hereafter-now 1 must study how to re- move her out of his power/' " Nothing to'me, what is to occur to him-' notlug to me ! "imirmuroed Mariano, in a low tone, a he turne d awtay. " Ai ! if she could but know liow on wild heart brns, she would not dare to say slit. .I will thwart his pas- sion, but he useer, niver shell comie to harm through my ageiicy. Never, never-NEVER!' (J t1.\PTl' 1v .X 1V. Captain Allen--or rather, I should say, to verify history and 11drop complitent, Lieuten- ant-Commandant A lleu--had just mustered his crew, while the good schooner completely re- fitted so far as sails, riggin", etc., were con- cerned, was standing off froni MatUzas Btaaty under a cloud of canvas which whitened her from her truck down to her low, black hull. lIe had mustered i hem to let them know whi- ther they were bound, and what duty was be- fore them. And he had reason to be proud of them, and hopeful for th victory, when he heard their loud and exultant cheers, and the enthusiasm with which they received his an- nounneenicat of the challenge of Ciolcifrinas and his acceptance thereof. Cheer followed cheer, in which the oiliers felt adnost like joining, though it were ta matltr unheard-of in a disei- plined service. But Doctor ()'Shanghnessy could not retain lhis feelings any more than could a new barrel of beer get along unvented wit hout collapsing. Like it, he must give way '3'I i'; i-i '- r' ] $1' gsI 7T 40 r page: 42-43[View Page 42-43] THF PIRATE-HUNTERS OF o the extraneous gas within him, or else Allen, po bust." amber fi "1Bad luck to the black diVil that he is! "Than hurrah tfor-the chance. We'l hiave to feather death to his nest for him!I" shouted the doctor, who had as he car Iowed by Esculapiusayd every other saint in his mout ,he medical calendar, neer to forgive the af- before h - ront which had been put fpon him. " That Giving ordprs'that all hinds should he called said Alle t to splice the nain brade,' o(in land-lubber the Cayo i terms) to take' ap xtr dr'nk of liquor, the " And conmuaiiding offetir invited dI of " the mess" sir," said butthe ollicer ofte deck to go int the cabin like as n and tke a drink with hin. dipg that the ist doctor rather held ba~k-li had been vevy " No bsteinious since his escapade from Coleefriiae and the -AIkin s ni ed,:and said him," sa "You need, not frar, door ; thewine or we musti brandy this time will, be from mny prite the lead f Store it's 11aterSdea, tores'"" That " Sue i a ot te faio thecrae ep'nthe mastic dear, that hangs heavy on me," said O'Shnogh- and the nessy, with a sigh. " I've never been afeard back-bo of it frin my cadle, foi I've heard my mother from five say-IIe nest the ould lady's sow-that cabls' k I wnted1 to be weaned to it afore I was a week " Yout old. Al ! 'tise not that which troubles me ! her hea B5ut~ it's the botherin' remembrance of the sail she'll darsiage it did me and the service when I took, to the qi as 1 'blieved, but a friendly glass with that " Ay, murthirin' divil of a pirate." tar gave ~~Tinik no more of that-but of our speedy stored hi ehtauce to take full satisfaction out of him," lin, and I said Allen, kindly. "Anot "Faith ! to that I'm willing to drink, cap' Allen to dear-itbut if the murdering' wretch comes be- Tha neath your sword in the fight, don't kill him take the quite intirely-lave enough life in him for me partutre.' to (dale with in a scientific manner a little This w while. It would be a burning' shame to let such ter ; for a big ihafe of the world (lie in a minute, and frequent, aisy. If I've an enemy I hate, all I want is, a much on chance to doctor him to death. Peole now- that is, a-days, when they punish bad men, dott't un- etc., for derstand it as they did in the o~d times. Why, But with in the howly Inquisition they kept doctors-to seas is, a kape the men they wanted to kill alive as long are a t as they could, so as to make them suffer the islands a 'F more wid dyin'; and that's the way l'd do with known, this black Satan !" but scan And the doctor washed down this kind desire Not a with a heavy dose of cogniac. of steant ' L The officers all having drank to the success fills the of thte cruise, repaired to their various duties, ster in tI while Allen and the sailing-master took down IHatter a chart and began to examine it, preparatory Fear is n to giving a course. -wrecker It They had scarcely done this, when an old anmee doe quarter-master, whose boast had been that so navigate far lie had been aboard of old Ironsides in her the Bah every battle, came down with a message from the officer of the deck that the sehmooner had made a good offing, and he desired to know "Lan what course to lay her on. masthead " Take a glass of brandy, Marston," said thte after TIHE GULF. - 4 during out a tumbler half full of the e. "We will give you a course soon." kee, sir, Long life to you, sir, and the bloody pirates !" said the old tar, efully took his quid of tobacco from h and putit in the hat which he held, s". raised the glass to his lips. is the island he names in his note," n, as he pointed to one in a group of s Romano. - in a dangerous ground it lays, too, the master. Reefs all around, and ot the half not down which really ex- tatter for that. It is the spot named e, if lie keeps faith, we must meet iid Allen, quietly. " For ourselves, depend on a bright look-out, anti keep going when it will reaclt bottom." is the worst of the coral reefs," said er. "You are off soundings one hour, next you are high and dry on the te of one of them. 've seen it shoal hundred fathoms to three feet in tow cngth ! ' cat tell the officer of the deck to keep d east southeast, and to carry all the l bear without strain," said the captain tarter-mnaster. ny ! sir-thankee, sir!" -And the old an extra pull at his fore-lock, re- s quid of tobacco, put on his tarpau- hurried on deck with his directions. heiE glass of wine, Mr. Howell," said tie master. ak you, sir; and then I will go and bearing and distance to mark our do- as, of course, a most necessary mat- in those latitudes, where storms are a vessel has often to depend very the keep of her "dead reckoning departure, distance, courses, leewa, observations cannot always be taken. either or both, the navigation of those nd ever will be, dangerous; for there tousand winding currents, formed by ind by reefs, which can never be fully nd for which the mariner can make t allowance. gale arises there, even in these days and perfection in seamanship, but papers with accounts of wreck and dis- hose fatal seas. 'as has ceased to be a terror-Cape to longer feared---even the Barnegat are now seldom heard of; but insur- s and ever will run high for those who the southern Gulf Stream,tor make ama passages. CHAPTER XXV. d ho !" shouted the look-out from the d of the Alligator about 3 o'clock on noon of her second day out from Ma- page: 44-45[View Page 44-45] THl uE PATE-1i TEIS O0F TlE GULF. 41 OUR MESS; OR, tauzas, on the cruse conmenced in our last - chapter. "Where awa and what is it like ?" cried the officer of the deck through his trumpet. 4 Nearly dead ahead, sir, and like a small island. Other's a loom as if more of 'em Was bm1beyond, and a bit to widward--but I can't iak 'eim outi."' Allen, who had coic on teck at the first sound of the look-out's VOiCeO, 110W hailed " Look carefully and see if you see any sign of a vessel aut tnclor." " Ay, ay sir !" said the man, and a 'Vounilg reeferlanxious to please his commander, took. I c t spy-glass, and went aloft as lively as a mon- hex I can see nothing like a vessel in thee, nr," said the look-ott, after a careful glance ft t~ttil . i"'1xt I can see a sail, sir, under canvas away tiff oun t'l our weather-bem to the' soulttarI, i'ir, " cried the little reefer, in a voice as shrill as that of an ancient maiden singing 11l tn- dred hank you, Mr. lRogers-thank xon, sir,'' - 'aid the captain to thie delighted 'ouing ster, xWho'd have ventured his life any time for such a "thank you" beforeallthe crew. a"Ca you fil.'e01oo l ht'rig I'' f's, sir-- tihe ladtin. A foretopsail sehoo- mner like this. hm sure she's the pirate" Most likely," said the captain, quietly. We are now quite out of range of trading vessels, and out the ground where she promised itmeet us." am sorry the wind is d(ng away, sir. We can scarcely keep steerage way on her," said the oiicer of the deck. 1 We shall have more than we want before itmany hours, if the weather don't belie its looks," said Allen, as he glanced off to the northwest, where a range of clouds lay heavy and dark, hike some vast machine of lestrue- tion, waiting but a touch to set it in motion, or a huge army which needed but the word of #' command to send it onward to its terrible work gof death. The old quarte'-nmaster, Marston, was at the bel, and more than once already his eye had ibeen turned toward that cloud-bank. Allen noticed it, and with a familiarity which lie sometimes used toward his oldest and best m110en, asked " What does that look like to you, Mars' ton?" It looks as if wouldd come heavy and not go down all at once, sir ! We come anigh los- ing old Ironsides once-we took just such a chap a little to the east'ard of the hole in the wall, and had to send for it. hIow we got through, the Lord only knows ; for 'twas right ta the middle of the day, but we drove afore it till we got ahead, or it gave up, and ftxx'e was in a bite of the gulf axey in iy Lo aiwy ': *omew her'e." "if this brezee would only lastutti il1 col I settle With Colcef'inrs, I'd scarcely ask any favors of a gale afterward," said Allien to htin- self. Then, turning to his first-hut c ''at, I i said " You may as well exercise thet inonat/ quarters for half an hour or so,, ir, to 0ee their hands in, andt the vessel will bt ret I for action, no matter what turns up in h P meantime.7"t Ay, y .sir .-- x'was the ret yi "pts" at the offieer, and in a few moments the ichee' souds of drumi and life called all hands toi their ;utI'te'.t, kitty til, anti a right gallant stiglt to those wt o lie it is oig to quarters and clearing shti foat'ilo tiirt'lt sp1llatcefog -every one' andove rt ihinihfitires :are put ou, save thy' newe W' ihe mates ;are' putalight-th mtaazin ar il'op'tnel, arms dist'ibuted to ltoude(rsend p lik;m-n h drn--it1 Ilonb0Yh ut I t o al ftrae'i' t wIif e uthe t' -i txaitne ttnl the goun they srv''hott, round, grape,.canistr, chlaini, and1d1lhe-headedt~t, are passed uip--hie st noin is ihe m 'xxx With fhtis iinsttinnits--t he sa I-ftrinune's at their plot, ver't'y iitet' it hit, and th li l'ecounanilehlirt'e, there ni eveh'erVel l' xutiilthe hip is at wort itt n tlienu lis tamt i teinettlt thea xxflaywlicu lhe wil de fend lhile life Iti 'is. S " hall we exercise great guns or smItall a'tis, or both, sir ?" asked the lirst-lieutenant, after he had reported all the crew at uart crs. "Both, sir, for a little while !"i Was the ie- ply. " But do not fatigue the men-if this breeze does not entirely fail, we'll have our en- eily i11 shot yet before dtar1k.' With rmfiii---or only , liexert'e' .' "You can fire on" oiund to soalethle gunll, and then see that teah oiteer is caretl iti moat- ing and shiottinug fotr a btroadlide' that will tell.' " Ay, avx ! sir i'' Ant td in a moeilit the or- ders of the commntluder were conveyed through the executive to th' officer of cath division. Then canto the low toels itbUt buisy ctoim niids: " Cast loose your guns-take out thu' tompions, man the gun tackles, etc. in a short time, the divisions being directed to tire in succession, the first applied thuir uttehe'. After a long fizzle, the powder in the guns burned with barely sufficient force to throw the ball out, but not far enough to do damage at half pistol shtt. " What can this mean, sir'?" crild Allen, an- grily, to the first-lieutenant. "That powder hit been wet ! have the other guns tried at once." The trial was made, and each gun proved the utter worthlessness of the load. "Let the gunner be sent for," said Allen, as he paced ump and down the quarter-deck. That person soon made his appearance, "What is the matter with our powder, Mr. Citly?" erier Allen. Nothing that Iknow of, sir--it is itt the samte condition in which it came to ame. 4 " Nofdapnrsin itthtm ine-no leil there ?",. "None, sir-it was never drei nr thn it is Is nt this the ate powidt'r which I tried tlte ottier day, "ent to us byv t'h go;ernoo' ' latde iteh' of itntzas 1"'' ''It is powder that he sent, sir ; b out that white he s'nt as a speimen YOu used on tri- ali." "t y (dod !cant th'vi lauin have given ius wortilesspowder so as to crippIe us? Try treble loads of this, and see what we can do wit iit," irraned fi(Allen, Who Was conit;need that fh thal again tben overreached, i spite of " It is of no tie to trehle) the load; only so much of' th mt'iiserafl itutn wil burn, sir," 'e- phied titlint einant, nt 'r'trial h!ad been itade. 'Lit" in taven for tte storm that is com1- in". for cotiig it is, and fast; fir tiat only ctitktet' us out of' this.serape. bitt I'll make that rascally governcxr swat for this, or eat mtty aoniint,1' cted All-n. " ait the retreat, and iar :t tat to secure hip for a loiw. Yot cantl'e xwivii lff atn eye t ait it is corning '[fit' 'or ' trs we httily i ioel, for the ntt wt '+rn y as in ail blaixlk with the raittg- l;iadvant;'ergmu-d'ts of t h0 storms. Ye xvi wth' iIh v'-fe now lay idly r''e'm ot tie "'a,[thsr , uV nt mvl"id noughito fill a stil, or Ins f it'1ti tie liy t whido t'oait't dropped from ii tI' tiun firt ''.' \ in t lit ' itrtetdt ow1 o it orit t n uib'-tilt-i'ti iiit, was h tetiWas t _« y1- - lad In fit m f i efthelight, cania paof t and' bx'f ti t fti i'ail hatdbe'nltrt on' f i thetspas of tlh nim, tiv he .',nmerican had not (only been Ieldtitdl to i a elo: et'-r'ftd' lii'ntatdfunih onnetfted fle iio mt''. itialr ito sta sati l, iutI ad_ got hettis tilltnd 1il anf''ieita n fhoused', and tlyii'-Tp om ut t"iff mtt g'ms 01housed, t'i aPk ';l u lbh1 of' aItill aei ti ralt dcy to meet the hmt rwnut- . ll (o Collettrmas h l-d ont, apparently hopmn ti gept nenn ;"cr tth lae-es lntatie imtendled to have tatkeni.ii uch a :1 lnii-pcould lbe ; or, per'- haps m hiililpes ti a umi a a irb or int somue well known u sp51t at ilthe int:dala . All it iwaS tu' only a brave ' i-ntim, but a thior- oun-I-"-amanii -othI m ie hspensabide rutistCs mi ~ t. t h ,compomon 0'i~l pt 1 a navalhero : such a 011nei '" tas was-Niln, IDecatur orit Pauli Jones. It L itt1,n ' w Ith ins schoneriu, without1powder1, ws-tl t n t f tm order ; buty th iedter-. Utile'It o o p lici u .r contr , n~t t e fsu t l e hetlcr aid !hntm o p t, r, if manti, :an - stt I to slt-helie hadl no feari~t for a -iMttry. Tide coulI Conly lbe done byidthe preservais t ion oftis caas and lsptar:s. Ihfaxing had his 'ss el b1ou1ght1- s11 itter'ly head to the coniug gale, by the use ofLsweeps, as could he done, Allen-with a ean twice and ([niet eye, but ant anxious heart-waited for its comig ; now glancing to the southward, where, the pirate, at last, was hurriedly short- euing sad-and then looking to windward, to see how soon the storm-king would be down upon fon. Not long had he to wait. Its distant roar, like the tumultuous voics of auuimberless multitude of mnaddene~d men, eang~ sweeping over the waters ; the light fled from before its ehon front ; the wat ers rose i a wall of foamy ihite, as they felt its strong breath ; and the oldest of those hardy seamen looked for a sitr or a rope to clut cl lwhen it' gale should strike their brave yet feteble craft. "lod on all ! Two men at t10helmeh, and when she 'veers, let her go before it. Let a full gang of men stand by the sheets of the sails set e" cried Allen, but a moment before the gale struck them ; and as he spoke, he glanced toward th ' pirate, and saw flint she hald n1ot got more than half of her canvas in. he ii'xt second, she was shut out fromit his (view - forl ihe storm with its deafenit- roar, its bltidiig spray, its fearful, dmxnx ivmig strength, was1upo)1 nelm. ll nder-youwhl'o hiitd'r t itt t I' blow, whichil bends tIh trees before yotr door, or tears of a few of its leaves o' f w:s : i which itay uiliip a r'ofaein Utawing, ori' t ettar of al nxw tlenytldshmngles, and whte merl111 It''or editor someltun11eS terms a t/ornado )- tutican11 have 1no ila of a West indmt inrriene. Y OU have he'ard 1p'ople 1osa,uVwhen it.rined very, xeryv 'i' ., that itlouaesn' na id tlursI' Wel, a luitricnodie ()ti', blow it - iican't tell int it does. !It tents sky, tart Iwater, air, all fit) J'ti'°s,11 tt) tl inhutIl st to i .t Ive seenl ltree; ' ttih in mx' t eiail t lifttioe, andl donut woihto see anet her, at any price. For a mom enit,xi Ito eautiiti o'lioniere(011m- (i overwheht o wh ihfl u1 t f't1 ipra atid foam ii pol lherl dcks,ato( :ul tie iethit oftitm wlichI siieeim tt 'ise'p down upon tat wr than xover1 hr ; and hi lt'hoot i itn t xlof lift- itt, seemed to go tinder, and tlie to gather st'inii-board as if t.ho xwt 'c lid 'to tiuuder her. But as the wind caut'il telit siaysail, but sl lightly atfirst, inl a moment aft(r1 itoix' freely, the bows egan to 'veer slowly at first, iteu swiftero ntd sitte', until i i at fey Wmoiets she was deal 1eforo it; d( (the shets, mtthvimg Ibet'ti-en ed off1 b) strong and e llful men, who receiv('(1 icir orders by shgns-for no 'voie could be heard there-sihe flow along, with h r scant canvas fit m s, atil no ain11to)its 1utmost strent n il a wst ee so eturtully htid tsl txquiisites bclen tittetided fto, t(hant. olo'txxwis iteotiitpl' itlytiiidethet l'cin- fiolof' iei' h'lisnutun, wihile (i(lunhd open water before them, as if there hail beenu but a gentle bree blowi11g. On, on she sped, for perclance half an hour, 44 . , im i ^ page: 46-47[View Page 46-47] OUR MESS; OR, THE PIRATE-HUNTERS OF THE GULF. in a darkness almost as dense as that of night, while Allen and his officers kept close watch for the pirate ; for the course upon which they were driven was nearly or quite toward where he had last been seen. Suddenly, close aboard on their starboard hand, she was seen, but for an instant: an almost dismantled hulk --her hull encumbered with the wreck of spars and tattered sails, yet driving in the same direction as themselves. Allen had time only to get a glance at the face of Colcefrinas, who, white with rage, shook his hand at him as they passed ; and then they were separated, to meet again- when, neither knew. By signs, Allen now caused the crew to take in both the main and foresail ; and had he dared, lie would have brought the vessel by the wind-for he asked no more now than a chance to meet Iis foe, while his vessel was so crippled that it could be boarded by Allen without exposing the crew of the latter to the batteries of the well-munitioned foe. But the hurricane was ins its strength still, and no ves- sel could have done otherwise than se d he- fore it. his only hope was that it might lull in time for him to take aback track, before his enemy could so repair Iis craft as to be able to work and manouvre his vessel. But on through the long night she flew, until the noon of the next day, when the wind died away into a gen- tier gale ; and well indeed was it for that brave crew that it (lid: for scarcely had a man stepped above the rail when the welcome order to make sail was given, than the cry of "land ho l" was heard. And there it was-the rock-bound coast of Cuba--so close aboard, that two hours more of that hurricane would have driven the brave schooner upon it: and that would have been the end of ier and hers. -"It seems to me that this part of the coast. looks familiar, sir," said the first lieutenant to the young commander, as both were surveying it through their spy-glasses. "I know it well," said Allen ; "but where our consorts have found a harbor is a mystery to me. I can see the channel where they were when we sailed, and the sea breaks high upon the reefs which acted as a breakwater there. But I see no sign of a vessel in shore anywhere." "Perhaps they have found a harbor under the lee of s me of the islands near. I know that neither Gregory nor Kearney would break their promise not to leave, without they were forced to do it by stress of weather." "True. Fire a gun, and perhaps it will be heard and answered by them!" said Allen. "You forget, sir, that our powder won't burn," said the lieutenant, with a smile. "I do not forget, though, that I have a small keg of Duponts prime rifle-powder in my state-room, bought for my own private use. Take that," replied Allen. In a little while, a gun was loaded with this powder, and its heavy report went thundering over the water. And not more than five minutes had elapsed before an answering gun was heard, away in shore, among the islands ; and soon a boat was discovered making out from behind a point toward the old anchorage. At about the same time, a man who was aloft, fiddig the main-royal-mast, sang out that he saw the masts of vessels over the tree-tops ahead. "All is right yet," said Allen. " As powder is all we want, we can get it from them, and stand out yet and catch our adversary, before he knows that we have changed our ha lpow- der for good, and his very suprise will n eaken him." "True, sir. We are indeed fortune-favored on this cruise. Shall I make more sail-" "No ; stand i, under easy canvas, till we speak the boat. Perchance they can pilot us into a better harbor, where a right s rest for the crew and a chance to tauten our stretch- ed rigging will not lessen our efficiency !" In a short time the schooner reached the anchorage, where the boat boarded her, prov- iug to be one from one of the other vessels, which had foun .1 safe anchorage in a snmal bay between the islands, and out-rode the gale without a strain upon their cables. A hei at once decided to run im there, and make his preparations for going to sea with his consorts i the morning-confident that the pirate could not escape all three, if they took different courses to intercept him ; for now, iii conse- quence of the treachery in Iis supply of pow- der, evidently known to, if not concocted by Colcefrinas, he felt himself freed from all con- ditionus to meet him singly, and itended-as he had done at first-to hunt hun out nmsd de- stroy hinm as he would a bloodhound, or any other cruel, wortkless, and merciless least. CHAPTER XXVII, When, from his keen-eyed look-out aloft. Colcefrinas first heard that the island of his challenged battle-ground was in sighi, and also that a sail which well he knew was the Alhi- gator was also on the ground, his boy wars more like that of a savage than a mi an. lIe ordered a cask of brandy brought on deck, and the head to be strived in. Then, with his own hands, he stirred in pound after ponl of gunpowder, a ter the manner of the old bue- caneers, whose actions he loved but too well to uitate ir more ways than one r; and drink- rig first himself, bade each of the crew follow irs example. " lere "-re cried, holding a drimking-cup only used by him on such occasions as this, or after some fearful battk--a cup composed of a nUMAN SKULL-'' here is that we rmy drmik the blood of our Yankee foes erc the un sets ji the west, os' fie sup with the devil ir 13rim- stone Hall below !" With fiendish shouts tire pirate e--Crouwedd up, and from that well-known cup, w itimure than once had been reddened by the tide of life, they followed their leader's draught and toast! And then they danced and sang like demons, and drank until they were mad- dened into tigers rather than men-if men they ever were. Meanwhile, Coleefrinas raved, and stamped, and swore, because the wind did not blow stronger to carry him more quickly to the place where he supposed his victim would fall into his power. The curses of bad men avail not much-at least this was the case with Colcefrinas, for the more he stormed the less the wind blew, until at last it died away, and his vessel rocked idly in the calm. The look-out, who had come down from aloft to get his allowance of grog, had not noticed the taking in of canvas on board the A merican, nor had any of the offi- ers or crew been sufficiently observant to see the now swift-rising storm. And they had drank ; and Coleefrinas would have raved until it had been upon them all unprepared, probably, had not a new idea struck his mind. " We will board them in our boats !" he cried. " They have no powder to hurt us, and we can cut their throats like dogs as they are !" Again and again the crew cheered ; pnd Colcefrinas raised his glass to see how far away she was. At first, he could not see her, for. her 'canvas had been reduced, and she seemed but a speck on the yet glassy sea-no larger than a gull resting on its bosom. But when he did, and saw that she had not only shortened sail, but was also sending down her upper spars, his seaman's sense at once return- ing to him told him the reason, and a quick glance at the swift-coming storm also made him aware of the peril to his own craIt. "Silence, fore and adft!" he shouted. "Let go sheets and halliards by the run. Clew up, brail up, haul down, and furl everything. Work, curse youwork, or the storm will do the work for you!1" The men, thus urged by one who sel dons spoke so much without dire necessity, sprung to 'their work as rapidly as they could. But some were half-helpless from drink; for though combat would have manddened them, they had no moral courage to meet this new danger, and their brute strength left them, The sheets and halliards were let go in a mo- mrent, nod ninny men sprung aloft to furl the sail. But before this could be half done, the gale was upon them, and though their chief shouted to them to lay down from aloft and save themselves, not half wio went up could do it, before the fierce storm came crashing, with 'its thundering force, along--shivering spars and rending sails like reeds and rotten fibres with its breath. And men and spars,. Went together over into the seething foans, and the staunch vessel would herself inevitably have gne under, had she not by clhnnce-drift 47 have happened to be heading directly from the storm when it struck her. She buried for a moment ; then, as her weight of spars went over her bows, she staggered up, and, with all their weight clinging to and clogging her hull, wal- lowed on amid the fearful chaos bf the tempest In terror at the fate of so many of their comrades, and appalled by the suddenness of the peril, the crew-who were left worked but feebly in clearing away the wreck. She was in this condition when, light and free, guided like a bird before the wind, the American schooner, which they had almost deemed their prize, flew by them-their colors aloft, their crew safe, their officers exultant, even amid the storm. Colcefrinas was almost mad enough to slave himself, He shook his clenched fist at the passing vessel, and shouted out his bitterest curses ; but they eould t rise even to his own ear above the wild roar of the hurricane And a moment later, the vessel was far ahead in the gloom. le glanced at the compass a moment, and muttered : "Let it blow so for ten or twelve hours more, and her bones will grate on Cuban rocks 1" Then, with some of his best men under hi immediate eye, he set to 'ork, with a seaman's skill, to clear away the spars that were adrift and to get the noble craft beneath him inte something like working order. CHAPTER XXVIUl. In that grand but gloomy cavern-home-or prison, should 1 call it - poor Maraquita de Regla hardly knew the difference between day and night, except as she might judge by the time when two black mutes--or mutes they seemed to be ; for they never spoke to her except by signs-brought her food and drink. No time-piece was there amid all the rest of the luxurious furniture ; and if there had been she would have paid but little note to time, except to feel that the hours were terribly wearisome and long. One night-she judged 'twas night, because some hours before her supper had been brought-she woke from an uneasy slumber. and started--for above her couch bent a tall and stately woman, of rare and queenly beauty. She was not regarding her with a look of extra- ordinary kindness, nor yet with an expression apparently other than that of curiosity. low she came there, from whence, and for what pumrpose-who she was, were all questions im- mediately asked in Maraquita's mind; but not responded to. The poor girl haud again some- what drooped since Mariaano's last interview with her ; for hope's is but a flickering fire, and must be fed constantly to burn brightly. Maraquita was about to speak, but the stran- ger anticipated her: "Do you love Eduardo Coleefrinas ?" she asked. " No I I loathe rhn " was the ready reply 46 4 k, .Fri _it : i o 4 a ti ; ; _ . i ; d t _# 1 i } f d-Y e' ; .4 £ a: = ',,77 } # Y333333t1* # :? i a gi page: 48-49[View Page 48-49] THE PIRATE-HUNTERS OF TUE GULF, 44 of the ;pt ive ; and her look gave trele force to hl' wr s' i. - Itis iell ym dou ! Tf you lad e(:ver dared to love him i.tis' ho.ld have be en your re- n ard' l ' 11ithe woman exhibited a dagger. "h(1 tba th1an this cruel captivity !" said ardi';atu, with dignity. " You nail I free !'iMaiano, coimie 1ere !" replied lh, wonan, who was none other than Monona. 'd arsuino, who had remained hidden from mlarnaqui a': : ihd by the curtamus of the couch, nov stepl i forwird. "ialluno, I a 1it your 1lanlt' said Moniina, .n .1 (uh] i n"----but ' 0. f commandn. " You w501l11ch11n' garmllnt wichjltthis girl, and reain 0I in her pi. '.. ile dare oit huniarm yu, child !" "sI do nit f r hiat he will, my umot her-I am rx ady to do you bding !' said the youth. Then, not iing tih mods(1t blush which sud- (l.my replaicedI the pialeness up11on Imuaraquita's cleks. Maianou adledi :" IHave no fear, lady. I1 am, like your 1li, a maiden ; but have worn a boy' iu-b fin myi ' hlillool, by my moth- es cominn1ind. ert'em'hinei, she will explain to von 1 h h I o- coimmiandcd. INsit etveni my nas't o'Ie ha eve divined my sex. I pray you Io eoxclhm; a ar't 'mont witIi me without fear my digu i' a will ieCtiiaily aid in our escape i1ir no oine omut00 noi0i where Mamnino goes. Your bguri' a .mcl the samn as mmsie iii size -your 1hai1r(11an m a-ilybearranged in the -y1wya hij 1=11havel brough ancosmetic which will give our face the hue' aevhi the sun and wind11 giv 1n min". Do not delay, lamdy. (oleeo.rimamss i ann iy, but l mmia reitrn ItI any Pour:; and w' rS k r m1i'lives to itf nnet your re- lease. Whit ne do, ust be (done quickly !" It nii' dei imo moie au'iiimeiit to mam(ke imra- quita didelde upon uur our. -n m'10further words til o ha n '1iter nation. i 'm ridy-do litii ie as you will" sh' isaid. And as won, ii. Idhii they will, do wit hi a will whit tiey wi/!, r1pidlIy, Si it ririiued but a short tlle i0 1mk' the required transfer of mgarnmel mm;id ins Mmi'maiana-as We are now-" to am1 her' ; lie ' mandi1(1 ihe o ilosne determining the ummnounah'le amaceuline mii Spanish-inoVed iro( 1thei ro , nio nw110 ouldl'11isi1have believed stint h shl h.ad.' lii ivs bmeeon used( to the gar.- me 5 shme wore. Aruin'msiita, though nade 1m lonk ''ie0 0iliigly like what laiano had isemi. did l n'mo i'. hiI the am.1e cise ; al- shousgh;' h di1 y bowell,onsidering, also, t mhat 1this mthrtirm' mainIiisquIrade 1im garmtinents misemimil 10 11 1' ''0. 1'siome, bini". n1 ;iiih iwm niee1d delay uno Ion- 01' 1! 1111d 1t+nonac, imp1atienitly, t o Maraqu1ita. 'Tlake t his danger, Mariana 1'' said she to her child. " I nele not tell Von how to Use it, uiliid hi iuir lrii' Si 'iV io wrong1n m' Othee.!" 2mnrimmmmm iiil0 ook hi' glittei'ing weaponi, kissed hher er1111 ollysaluted M maraqulita with a. b ror'thatlmade her blush through her new cosmetic, and then waved them away. A moment more, and they were gone. a was alone. For a iiimoienit the seemed to f i weak and like a real wonmi, for a heavy sigh broke from her b0soni, and tars caome ou from her great black eyes, and rolle'l down mupon h'er breast. But sie hu edi t he sigh, shook the tears from her c1bon lmshes, and. moving before one of the massive mirrors,n S ved herself from hcad to foot. " e egla's child,'' she said, " is pretty moie childish tham 1; yet not so beautildb half! What will he smy whe hilie knows t L secret so long an' so wnell ket 1 s tisi5 Im been ? J t will be angry it her loss. mid-'1. t chance, will slaya me ! I shall inot l'imk f ' the blow that com5les fro'm his hanIcm . It h must-not spurinmelie ust not di that !I1 can be his 'lax e if he loves me--his dieath i lie despises nic ! 1 would h' we're lre-i 1 tired of captivity already ! But I wil try to' sleep, and theni 1 may dream as I have dreamed before--hiappy, such happy dra'mms !" And, in a cLarel's way, lariadas ci hrsel t upon the couch whereni piooi' Miaraqumitm had tossed so 'estle.ly, mand11( sso mmn.s u11rmapped in mm profound sluimble-'. And there, for' the prsenas't, we tmst lemimi hier, while we turn again to tl' rough witersi the sleepless ea.-- t1lAPTElt XXi t. The dmmy mm hihm iopn uiI ipon A !I at th b anihora;' cioseni bl his cmonsoirtc, wasi- as clear and pl asciii. mm' ifi huica'ne mii er' on si'cmu'red iii tho. i'1litd1(1s. It 'is aI ph'ntmmi a'omehar faces mme huav se0n, n imits, i look omi tlhem, apilrlmmi l' mro' magtmmim. lit 'io'ms iliof anger or theliouds o. mwrathm01i. lm 1ioned biisiily for Allein,. fo' 11010 i l hit' li i' coni iorts. his' 1mmt riv1 1.mm i'in a ('hare 0osod:i mumim'i ioi imi place of the nortlie tr iwhichl lihe' himad east sove'- boaurdl. Ands, smi'the in' soti highs iin thse eamt- er sky, when he f1'sindi 1his craft onmeei amora reidy, iist olnly fii' 'ca mbuit liii' mtm ism--ever'- thing this time having iiis fairly toted and overh'auled1 ; mmmd bf'onre it had realsnh t mhe ei''- ridian, he, with his consorts, was siaduuimgef the coast, eacnoi of t em slimvergig to thi t right and11 left-or, ini lore 1i'opi rer ers i I tthe eastward and westwt'arl-whil' he, with keeneyed look-outs at the iitmmt-headls, t od on m the couirsCie which i' gale hind mamrk' I the Io his bseadmiii'mul (rm' mmiwi+ hnmil ivl y ipir is. its ilmici-all ofhe lih h iut sliii mw.me spreada, or such mit lemas htiiecould carryim los'Oe hui- sd on a wind ; or the wind,111 (0hogh Ii lit um mm hmdi not. changed in direebon. aIs'' y n l' 1 floated fronm ithe amim -- me-r long It peidant streamed Iom time puiamk, hen cre s'eSmm'i as light ini hemit s they had irolo1u'ionally e-n'm saddened, when thiy fiouindI thrl' power worth- less. Anl whein, er" ye, the Iald was out of sight, the look-oits 'iig.hited a sail inda iord, OUR MESS; OR, an involuntary cheer burst from every throat, for the men seemed to think no other vessel could be in their path thai that for which they were in search. On. more, and this time with.a heart beat- ing strong with hope and ambition, Allen gave the'"der to teat to quiartrs, and the men and officer. rang to their stations with an alac- rity which proved their anxiety to be at work to be at least equal to his own. The men were at once put to exercise, while the vessel rapidly clove the water in the direction of the just-dnecovered sail. Allen, taking his telescope, went forward to examine her, and when he saw that it was a vessel almost entirely dismantled, he did not doubt but that it was the pirate ; but wonder- ,d why a man like Colcefrinas should not have sooner got up jury-masts and put her into something like working order. While he was ints cogitating, the look-out aloft announced another sail in sight, a little $ to windward of the first ; and without having occasion to awk any'questions, -Allen at once .ow the other stranger, -which appeared to have been under little or no canvas, and had thus been unnotice . Bun now, as if by magic, her taut spars were covered with canvas, and she seemed to haul up on the same course which the Alligator was heading. Allen didl not need superhuman sagacity to understand how matters stood. He recog- nized the " Pilot" by her build and rig in a moment., and knew ~mtuitiv, lv that the dis- mantled vessel was some fortunate mer- olhantman which had been taken by the pirate- perhaps been entrapped by her signals of dis- tress, and her spars, sails, rigging, etc., used to refl~t the storm-disabled schooner. But sad as the t ought was, that the crew of the merchantnan might have perished, per- haps even then lay bleeding on her decks, Al- len only joyed at the sight of the vessel be- yond, and in his hones soon to have her under his batteries. But'why, when thus evidently ready for action, she should fly from him in- steal of awaiting his approach, at first aston- ished him; but comprehending that the sails of his consorts were in sight yet, his wonder eeassd ; and that especial y,"when he saw that they had altered their courses, and had hauled on a wind in his direction. He now re- gretted that he had not left them at their an- ehorage and sought the adventure alone. But it was too late for regrets. Having the retreat beat, he directed the energies of officers and men to trimming the sails and doing all that could be done to increase his speed. The en- emy was at least five or six miles to windward; and well he knew that the chase would be a long one if Colcefrinasso willed it-for the two vessels, if trimmed aright, were nearly equals. - aIn less than an hour from the time when she was first sighted, Allen was close along- side of the dismantled vessel, which proved, as he supposed, an American merchantman, schooner rigged and Baltimore built ; and she had served but too good a purpose for the pi- rate when she fell into his power. Not ai hv- ing soul from her greeted the approach of the man-of-war, and Allen was too eager in his chase to pause to board her. That he left for his slower-sailing consorts to do. But he ran so close that he and his crew could see the dead bodies of the butchered men, who had composed the crew of the unfortunate vessel, and more than one oath was reistered to avenge the 'hapless creatures. The breeze grew fresher as the vessels stood off, and they soon had all they could do to carry top-gallant sails with "a clear full " on, and the white caps danced merrily on the crests of the huge blue waves. From time to time Allen sighted the dis- tance between the two vessels with his sextant, to see if he gained ; and frequently was he tempted to fire a challenging gun'to wind- ward, to try and taunt his foe into bringing to for battle. But he wished, so long as lie could, to keep the latter from becoming aware that he had good powder on l1oard; and as he was very fast dropping his consorts astern, he hoped every hour to see the pirate heave to and give him a chance to close. But night was fast approaching, and lie be- gan to fear that the'wily villain intended in- (Ieed to fly, and in the coming darkness might escape, when, while yet the sun was an half hour or more high, and the rails of his con- sorts almost out of sight astern, the pirate was seen to take in his top-gallantsail, biil up his foresail, and make a show of preparation for action, by running off with the wind a little free. Cheers broke from the lips of the American crew when they saw this, for they felt that the ong-desired hour was now at hand. "Oh, for a few hours more of daylight!" muttered Allen, to himself, as lie glanced at the height of the sun. "She will be ours before dark, sir I" ! d the first lieutenant, who had overheard his ex- pression. "Perhaps-but if she tries yet to escape us, the coming darkness will favor her. Her escape is all that I fear !" replied Allen. Still standing can under a press of canvas, the Alligator was soon within gunshot of the pirate ; and then Allen began to trim in"his canvas for work. The enemy did not opens fire, undoubtedly waiting for Allen to try his poor powder first ; but the latter determining to hide the advantage which he knew lie had, held his fire also ; and just as the sun began to dip beneath the western waters, ranged along the weather-beam of the pirate,. and+ within hailing distance. Colcefrinas, dressed magnificently, stood'on. the weather-rail of his vessel, and hailing,'said': "I am waiting for you to open the ballwith, a salute, my gallant Yankee I" "Youishnlhave your desire,cii' lt'sho ,te gp f S , '-; i t * t t ) ,4 i t, _s . 1 t.4 r 1Z- F frr 'rtei tr; tit Y , .3 3 g . t s page: 50-51[View Page 50-51] OUI MESS; OR, TIHE PIRATE-IUNTERS OF THE GULF. Allen, and at a wave of his hand, to the utter astonishment of the pirate, a crashing broad- sie was poured into him, of shot not sent by Mzatanas powder. "Hell aind furies! .l)e Regla has played me fihise !" shouted Colcefrinas,as he sprung to the helm himself, to put it hard-a-lee, to save his vessel from being raked by the American, which was wearing around his stern, while the umn were hurriedly reloading the batteries jut firedd" And the pirates, who, taken altogether by surprise, at first were panic-struek, now sprung to their guns ; and on both sides the firing be- came hot and lieavy And now the skill of the two commanders, as well as their bravery, was brought into play. Allen, finding that he could not so ma- nouvre as to rake his wily foe, sought to make the conlict brief by boarding him. But Col- refrinas, much as lie would have desired it had his crew been full, had lost too many men in the storm, and in the unexpected broadside, to risk a hand-to-hand encounter; and he only sought to hold his own until night set in, that lie aight escape in the darkness. Pass- ing forward among his gunners the order to cripple the American in his spars, he nianaged by skillful manouvres to buffle Allen in every attempt to getalongside. The gunners of the Alligator, only thinking of sending as many pirates as they could to eternity, poured in their grape and canister, and it was not until it was too late that Allen found that only round and chain shot were returned, to knock sway his spurs and cut his rigging. Darkness had come on, although from the veryP commencement of the action both vessels hid been in the darkness of a cloud of smoke, when suddenly the lime of the pirate ceased- although it had been tremendously heavy until the very instant before it stopped. "She has surrendered !" shouted many a voice on board the American; and more than one dying tar lifted his head to hear those words-more than one man sorely wounded ceased his groans, as they heard the cry. But poor Allen, who though twice wound- ed would not leave the deck, gnashed his teeth in very anger at this silence, for he knew that his almost conquered foe was creeping away from him under cover of the night. And the reports which came to him of crippled spars told him that he could not, even could he see his enemy, pursue him, until new spars had been sent up, others secured, and new rig- giugg rove,. The crew could hardly realize, in the utter silence which succeeded the thunder of broad- sides, and the yells of fierce combatants, that their enemy had crept off; and it was long be- fore they would believe it-long before they eyesed to look for the flash of his guns, or to listen for sounds betokening that he Was in the vicinity. It seemed impossible that he could have gone off so still. The loss of the Alligator in amen was not near so great in the action as would have been supposed, when she had been almost yard-arm and yard-arm in action for a half hour or more - but the very means taken to cripple her spars, saved her men? CHAPTER XXX. The Alligator once more lay at an anchor in the bay from whence she sailed before her combat with Coleefrinas, as described last. It had been necessary for her to run in to repair damages, but her consorts were actively croi- ing outside, and she soon expected to join them, and Allen yet hoped to test the prowess of the pirate chief in another combat. Allen was below with O'Shaughnessy look- ing over his daily report of the wounded and sick, and hearing his verbal statement of their condition, when a messenger front the officer of the deck announced that a boat had shown itself some way in land; with a white flag fying. "hoist a white flag, sir, at our fore to en- courage the boat to conic on board, and if it comes, assure its crew that their flag shall be re1sected!r" said the young commander. "I will be on deck in a moment !" "Whew! I wonder what'll be done next by the murthern' spalpeens !" said O'Shaugh- nessy. "They're like that sort o' Christians that sare the Lord of a Sunday, and onlid Nick the rest o' the week 1" "how do you make that out, doctor?" asked Allen, with a smile. " Why sure, cap's dear, haven't they been a wearin' the black flag all the while, and now raise the white one for convaynience. 1 hope they're wanting a doctor to cure their big thafe o' a leader !" "Would you volunteer, doctor?" "Only let 'em try me once, sir !" said the doctor with a look that indicated a desire to do something desperate-but as it was directed toward the brandy-decanter oitmthe side-board, A llen invited him to take something to drink) wie' he did without any apparent reluctance. When Allen reached the deck, the boat with the white xlag had already been-alongside, and leaving a young man on the deck, had instantly shoved off, and pulled away. "What does this mean, and why did not the boat remain ?" asked Allen of the officer of the deck. "I know not, sir, perhaps this young man can explain-but I see that he is blindfolded, perhaps he is a released captive l" "Few of their captives are released but by the hand of Death .' said Allen, as the sup- posed young man, finding himself free, tore off the bandage from before his eyes with his own hands. A low cry of surprise broke from the lips of the stranger, and Allen who had little expected such a meeting, or such pleasure, cried, inms- tonishment: " Ieavens !You, senorita-you here, and irm fromtl the por of Colceefinias ?" r.im-uita ie Rerla-it could be none other -ave him one look, then as if struck down 1-v tie suddenness of her joy, fell senseless to tie deeek. Allen, heedless of all but her, caught her up in lir ii arms, and bore her into'the cabin, ealling to Doctor O'Shaughnessy to follow him. ")o all von can to restore her, sir-do it quickly !" he said, as he laid hist fair burden down upon the cushioned transom seat. "is it a ier, cap'n, and in boy's clothes, too ? Slie's miighty purty for a pirate !" "Silence, sir, I wish no observations, but the muse of your skill, sir !" ' Tien, eap'n, if you plaze, either take off heu jacket, or else rip up the slave of it-it's bladm n' cr I'd be after doin' !' said the doe. tor, rattier testily, for he did nat fancy either thme eammtin's words or tone to him. ' She must not be bled-where is your sal voh itile---here, steward, bring me some wine dud water I Bear a hand with them !" hlie doctor was about again to urge the ine- cessity of his favorite practice-bleeding, when the p) girl opened her eyes, and began to recover without aid. Allen placed sone wine and water to her lips, and as the flush of re- turiiiig strength came out upon her cheek, he turned to the doctor and said I cm dispense with your services now, doe- tor! If I spoke too harshly, exese me-I was ,exti'umely alarmed for the safety of the lady !" Ahm, eap'n dean, a rough word from you would never fray the silken cord o' f h-indship tat hinds me to you. Deuce the bit. If the young lady, sir, should feel nervous, if you'll take my poor advice, a drop of smooth ouild barily would set her all right. I've some tip- top f mat I got from onld'Mother Mallony i Ky West !" said the doctor, and lie bowed hiomelf out of the cabin. "Teil me h-ow you escaped, dear lady, and hy what strange good fort mie I have the hap- liiiess to recieve you here !" asked Allen, the moment that lie was left alone with the lady. a Seior, I scarcely kno w. I was his cap- tive--anm free ;but why I became free, I ant iot fully certain, But I believe the jealousy of a ii m nss or wife af his has been the happy cause. Whatever it was, I bless Ieaven that 1 am free and safe, for beneath your flag I know I will be protected!" With my life, and that of every one on la) wh, dear lady. But when did you see this mole-r-can you give inc Io directions by whmoh I may trace him to his haunts,and there de y hili ?" \Vould to Heaven that I could !" said Ma- raquita. I have not seen hint for three or four dae and then lie onhaid inc a visit to taunt m- wit hiIis threats, saying that in three days to s wamId ha your head, and then force me to tieu'cegne his bride. He swore that you were iii Ii s power, aid I trembled lest it was true " " He thought so, and by treachery I nearly lbecane so ; but he has learned his error, and i' has cost him deiry !" replied Allen-in generous kindness withholding the nature of the treachery by which he had so nearly fallen into the power of Colcefrinas. " But from whence came you to-day ?" From his main rendezvous, Ishouldjudge ; for from the .atticed blinds of a house where 1 was kept some hours, I saw many vessels and men. During the night before I had been re- moved from a cave where he has collected im- niense treasures, and where he had me confined after I was taken with poor Captain Howard !'' "Where is lie ? I know not. I have not seen him since the hour of my capture. I have not been carried anywhere without having my eyes bandaged !" "The place of rendezvous cannot b far from here !" said Allen, thoughtfully. " Have you an idea of the length of time they were engaged in bringing you here ?" Not inure than three or four hours, cer- tainly !" "''hen I will have this coast scoured o closely that it whereabouts cannot fail to !3e learned. That done, and the infamous wretches shall be exterminated ! But dear lady, how to make you comfortable will be my first thought. Should you desire to be sent to Matanzas-" 1 I have no such desire, sir ! I fled from my father's house to escape his tyranny, and a forced union with a man whose crimes he knows, and the profits of which I fear he shares. But I know you are too noble and generous to use this belief of mine against him !" I would not harm him for the world, lady -if I wished, I have grave cause to do it. But for your sake I ignore that all ; and if you will give mc the bliss of becoming lawfully your protector, the moment that duty will permit, I will sail for a port where we can be united !" " The heart which has so long been yours, trusts to you entirely !" said the lady, frankly -for hers was not the nature, nor was she of a nation that is icy, or backward in expressing the strength of its passions. CHAPTER XXXI. "Madre de Dios ! What, what does thi mean? Your vessel, with the evidences of re- cent combat in her pierced hull and sails, brought to an anchor in our port. in broad day-light ; and you, armed to the teeth, stalk through the town and into the palace, as if you were lord of both I" These words, half in anger, and half in ter- ror, were spoken by Don Garcia do Regla, to the pirate chief, soon after his escape from Allen. And it. was no wonder that the audacity and fear ess boldness of the pirate astonished as well as frightened Dc Regla. The fact that his was not a national vessel, though on this occasion she wore Spanish colors, must cone out; and Dc Regla knew not how to act, 50D f S, ,4 -; .. page: 52-53[View Page 52-53] OUR MESS; OR, " I did not come here to answer questions, Garcia dc Regla, but to ask them!" said Colce-. frinas, stern's. "Why, did you give that infer- nal Yankee good powder?' "I did nqt ! lie was supplied with the damaged !" '"Garcia de Ieg'a, you need not lie to me "Lie? Do you dare to use such language to me?" "Ay, worse than words! I have lost more than half my men by your treachery! I ran my vessel right under his broadside, and taunted him to fire, when my crew was already weakened by disaster, intending to cut him up at leisure, believing the word that you sent was true, and that his powder was worthless !" "The powder which I- furnished him was " The loss of more than half my men prove that!" said the pirate, bitterly. "Ne may have got powder elsewhere !" said d?)e Regln, who, for many reasons, wished not to excite the pirate more. "Impossible! lie has been in no port but this. It is your treachery. Garcia do Regla, E see through it all! You have tired of me and our compact, and thought to be rid of me. But mark you, Colcefrinas, the master of fif- teen hundred daring men, and more than fifty millions of dollars, is not to be destroyed in a moment. You are in my power-body and soul-you are in my power, sir! your child is in my hands, and if I take ten thoughts upon the subject, I will probably feel more than half inclined to take you and hang you before her facen " "You are going too far, sir !" said the mar- uis; for Vastillian pride, as well as some na- tive courage, began to come back to his aid. "Were I but to breathe your name, or the oharacter of your vessel here-" "Well, what then ?" asked the pirate, with 3 sneer. The marquis did not know what to say. "I would tell the people and the soldiers that their Intendente was my compaiero-that he was an old hand at the trade, and that if they didn't want their town burned up, they would beware how they angered Colcefrinas ! And the--they would tremble as you do now, Garcia do ReglaI!" "1 do not tremble, or if I do, it is with an- ger, not with fear!" said the old Spaniard. "A child's anger is not dangerous. But call insome wine, De Regla-I am thirsty ! I came hero hot, and you've said nothing to cool me yet!" "When will you leave this port ?" asked the marquis, not heeding the demand of the other. "When it so pleases me-not before. I called for wine. Will you order it, or shall I ringfor a servant ?" "I will order refreshments ; I would do that sf the devil asked them. But suppose the Mericaa fleet were to come in he-'e now ?" "I would run my vessel under the guns of your fort, and make you protect me." "1«jake me ?" "Yes; or else drag you on board, and blow you, and myself, and all that's dear to you, up together." "Is my daughter on board of your vessel :' "Igo ; she is where she is treated like a queen, and will be, so long as she and her fa- thier behave properly. But I have not done with you in regard to that powder." "On my honor, I swear !--" " Tush ! Swear by something tangible-- sa'mething that exists." "I tell you, by my honor as a Castilian-.. by every tie that is binding on earth or in heaven, that I gave him the poor powder !" "Then he has made it good by some Yan- kee trick ; for 1 had all that I could do to es- cape him. had he been favored with an hour more of daylight, it would have been my last cruise !" hind the mar '% expressed the wish that was in his heart, it would have been, that Al- len had been favored with suflicient light to have put Colcefrinas out of his way forever, But lie did not ; and ordered wine and bran- dy from a servant who answered the bell he had rung. " You would like to know why I came a: here ?" said Colcefrinas, after he had tossed off a bumper of brtndy-iguorings the wine in its more potent presence. " I would." "I had to, to repair damage. 'lheYan..- kees, though they do not know it, are block- ading my main port-where, just now, all of my force is assembled. I must refit some- where ; and here was my best chance. I shalh pass as a Spanish privateer, which has been in action with a Mexican main-of--war - and. with your aig the matter can be carried out fery easily." "And you expect me to aid you in this do- ception?" "I do not only expect it, but I deniand it and you dare not refuel me !" -" I dare!h-if it costs my life, I dare !" said De Regis, taunted into desperation. "The future Governor-General of Cuba- perhaps Prime-Minister of Spain - iorgets himself !" said the pirate, sarcastically ;.e" and perhaps he also forgets certain bonds for government moneys squandered, which are held as a safe-guard by one who never trusted him beyond the length of a cLain-eable !" The marquis groaned; Ih i sew he was in the power of that bold, bad an, and lie did not indeed dare to thwart his will. " If I consent, you will hasten you depart. ure, will you not ?" he asked, at last. "Of course I will, if you are reasonable. I have no desire to tarry long in port-I have too much work ahead, But I shall depend on you to answer the demands of my officers ; for. I must run down by the overland route, a'd see my me, .If you have a message to your daughter, I will bear it." " I wo ki rather you would bring her here !" said the marquis, sadly. "lre she will be safe-and you know not how dear to meo she is. I- did" not know, until her absence told inc !" "She shall come here only after she is my bride !" replied the pirate. When these Yankees have been driven o'ff, and she isnmine, you shall see her decked and jewel td as a queen !" CIIAPTER XXXII. " I have nev, r counted hours-niinutes-'-- before ! lavs I may have noted: heeded months; but 1 have never felt that every see- ond was an age ! 0 11eaven ! how must time drag to those who are bound for weary years within a dungeon's walls ! HIte or she were more than a coward who would endure it, and possess the means of death.within their reach. Have been here for but a day or two--a few hours, and yet am miserable. Why does he not cone, that 1 may know my fate at once." The sound of footsteps interrupted this wild soliloquy ; and Mariana, who uttered it, turn- ed toward the door of her glittering prison--- well knowingr, by the hasty, heavy tread, who was approaching. A moinent iore, and he entered, urted as lie Lad been when he last stood in the pr sence of Garcia de tegla, but now coy, red with the dusty stains of hasty travel.; " Well, lady, I have brought you a message froni your father," said Coleefrinas. not recog. nizii the change of persons as he entered the lighted room. " I hope you will be thankful for it, and not attempt to carry your head quite so high as you did whes last I niet you !''? " I have dreamed that my father slept in a bloody grave !" said Mauiano, in the tone wlic'l he had heard froni Mariano's lips a thuso l times-a tone snot quite so rich, but a thousiul I tiles more deep iand thiri-nibg than that of o rdiniry women. 'lhe pirate sprung forward and caught her by the arm, looked at her fiercely for a mo- metnt, and then cried: " how dare you, sir, to masquerade w:th me! I have allowed you too much liberty hitherto ! It shall he lessened materially. Where is the lady ?" I am the only lady here," was the reply, given in so low and street a tone, with down- cast eyes and a blush so natural, that Colce- frinas felt for an instant inclined to believe that a woman indeed stood before him ; but this he could not, for Mariano had from child- hooh served him, and lie had never doubted that he was a boy. A woman, with all of a woman's heart e.- cept her fears !" continued Mariano. And she drew her proud foi-m up, and looked so much like what heri mother had been when first she attracted his passion, that he re lead her arm and drew back. "You act well. But have done with this mummery ; I am not in a humor to be trifled with now, sir !" said the pirate. , "Where is the lady Maraquita, whom I left here ?" "That is more than I can tell: she is not here. When I came she went away." "Villain I have you aided her to escape ?" cried the chief, trembling with anger. - "I exchanged garments with her, and she is free." "Curse you-you shall die for this I" shout- ed Coleefrinas, as he drew a pistol from his belt. Fire !" cried the excited girl, as she bold- ly tore open the silken robes, and revealed a spotless bosom, which all too well proclainied her sex. "Fire! and pierce a heart which for years, in silence an I sorrow, has throbbed only for you--dark, dark and sinful though it has been ! Why do you not fire ?" The hand of Colcefrinas fell powerless t. his side. " What does this mean ?" hle 'asked, trem bling. " Is it a miracle ? You are not the Mariano who for years have been near me- the Mariano whom I fou--d but a mere child wit its mother ?" I am that thild ! For reasons of her own which she may explain, butt eannnot, my mother has ever made me conceal nv sex un til now; and now, that it is revealed, -hsn Mariano ot longer, but MAinuaN-and stihl your slave !" And tearfully, timidly, she knelt, and tools his hand and kissed it. "So your mother is at the bottom of all this !" he said, thoughtfully. ' Andthen ho turned upon his heel and left the room ; while she s ill remained kneeling. She rose a moment after, and rushed to the door to follow hit: it was barred, and she yet- remained a prisoner. With a low cry of anguish, idhe t :ned back ; and, easting herself down uponi the carpet-covered ground sobbed and wept as if her Ih at would break She was indeed a woman now. CHAPTER XXXIII. Ihe queenly manner, as well as the rare beauty of Monona, gave her much power among the lawless followers of Colcefriuas ; and regarding her as his wife,annd onee'lcvoted to him and his interests, in his absence they were in the habit pf obeying her comimantds, and in tunes of tlhratened peril of seeking her advice. When he had sailed in-the captured schooner on his last trip, -he had told her, as well as his followers, that if he was successful, he would be back in five days, anti then would lead them against the rest of their blockading foes, But the five days, and even more ttne THE PIIRATE-IIUNTERS OF TIlE GULF. _. , ; 3 L Y fi ,: M1{tFh ": :1 r _i 2 S , ylz 6, 1f 4 it 1 i i aY} e {{t f. B: R =p t 'i! i . 4 'E t" a; kL'1' y. page: 54-55[View Page 54-55] THE PIRATE-HUNTERS OF THE GULF. had elapsed, and he had not returned, though better judgment prevailed. She knew that a the spies had seen the Alligator come back to storm must come, and she preferred to brave her anchorage with the marks of a severe con- him alone rather than before the men. So, fliet visible in her hull and among her spars. with an air as of one deeply pained, which she The excitement of the entire band of pirates well knew would excite sympathy for her, she was now intense ; for so fares such lawless men turned away and re-entered her residence. could feel, they felt attached to their leader. "Men! retire to your quarters ! When I He was, indeed, their ruling spirit. Tie had need your services, you will be called !" led them ever on to victory with a lion's cour- These were all the words Colcefrinas uttered ; age ; and when danger had environed, had and the men were so used to obedience, that drawn them from its meshes with a cunning they obeyed instantly. But there werc many brain and a skillful hand. They felt that if he who were not well pleased with so curt a dis- was lost, they, too, must follow-for in himn missal-thinking at least that tiey should have alone had they full confidence. Others there heard of the result of his recent cruise, and were as brave, but none so fitted for command. tIhe fate of those who had gone with him. Upon Monona they now called ; for the uni- But he was not in a humor to seek to please versal wish of all was, to sally out and attack any one, much less to care whether lie did or the Aric" noan vessels in the night, carry them not. lIe did not even appear to notice their by surprise, and then to look for him. But looks of discontent, though little was there too glad to have a chance to win their esteem, ever to be seen which escaped his observation. and to gail power amongst them (for she knew not howsoown she rghit need it), Monona-who lad, as we have seeii already, sent Maraquita CIIAPTER XXXIV. out of her way in a boat, manned by men " Well, sir-you said you had business to whoni she had eontr'ived long before'to win settle with ie here--I ma ready for I lie settle- completely into her own service-at once ne- meat," said Monona, when Colecefrinas entered ceded to their wishes. her room. " Armi yourselves, my brave free rovers, She had neither laid aside her weapons, nor ind von shall be led to victory by the wife of the haughty look which so well became them. your chief. If I ai not as strong of arm as " Where is Maraquita do liegi ?" lie asked, he," she cried, " his heart is not more fearless fiercely. than I ; and none of you will shrink to follow "Do you ask of that of one whom you wid- whet'rc a woman leads !" owed to make her your own--one, whom you This announcement was received with many have sworn was the mistress of your heart and a thundering dicer from the men ; and hasten- the nartner of your fortunes, were they bright ing to arm t hemselves and hp'e)are their boats, or dark ?" they swore to follow her to death, if it were " Where is Marquita de Riegla?" lie thun- there she led them. I dered. They had gathered together, ready for em- " What is she or should be to you ?" barkation. And when Monona, dressed more " For the third and last time, I ask you, like a Grecian warrior than a woman, and arm- Where is Maraquita de Regla?" ed with sword, dagger, and pistols, made her " What will you do if I do not answer ?" appearance in their front, they received her "Cut the tongue off that refuses to reply to with boisterous cries of gladness. my bidding!" But suddenly there was a hush ; and as Col- "That were a dangerous experiment to try cefrinia himself appeared, and with a stern just now, Eduardo ! You see that 1 am armed face confronted them, ,they were silent from as well as yourself. And my mood is none too surprise. For they hind expected him from amiable, while I feel that I arm wronged by seaward, and liehad come from the direction 'him who should be the last on earth to add to of the mountains. wrongs which I should never have either for- "\What means this wild hurrahing ?" he given or forgotten--wrongs which may yet be asked, sternly, " Who commands here ?" aveiged, for while life lasts it is not too late." " Colcefrinas does now-but I should have Coleefrinas withdrew his hand fromim the dag- done so, when fearing that he was slain, we ger's hilt where he hind placed it. For hers were about to go and avenge him, and drive was upon a pistol, and he saw that in her fiery time Yankees fromni our coast, or slay them glance which told him but too plainly, a m- wvhere they lurk ! Who has a better right tion on his part would induce lier -to use the than your wife-?" was tlie proud( reply of Mo- weapon. none. - Monona!," said he, more gently after a " Woman, your place is in the house ! Go pause, "youi are acting unwomaenmlike and fool- there--I have sons business to settle there cish!" with you directly." " Unwomnanlile, p'rhaps-hu-lt not with fol- ?Mhsonna's 'eri, ey -stlaashied, for lie spoke in ly," s. replied. ' Usiaomanlike, beecau1e I do a iione of s3'ruifo'i: ange ; asun for a5 moment ant bov myl he-ad in tear-s andh siliI to the atr re- ply treibled upou ier lips. but lie leepest wrong which a woman can endure-to be supplanted by another. Unwomanlilke, be- cause I dare to look with bitterness on the past, and to determine to right myself when my only protector rises to wrong me. Or do you mean that I was unwomanly when I armed to lead your men against your foes, and avenge your loss-if lost you were, as they feared and I almost hoped !" "Hoped, -Monona-hoped I was lost ?" "Yes, Eduardo-yes, better the loss of your life and mnmine, than to be awakened thus rudely from the dream of love which has made me so happy." And Monona's voice began to tremble and her eyes to moisten. Coleefrinasrsaw that the woman-nature wVas struggling to comie back, and with wily art he threw out a decoy to bring it further. "You have not lost soy love, Monona !" said he. " Why, then, did you seek to wed this I)e Regla's child ?" I did not mean to wed her. I held her as a hostage for her father's faith, for I had rea- son to doubt that ; and if we have no hold on the government officials, our homes here would soon be too hot to hold us. Besides, there would be no market for our plunder, were iot they our friends." " You need not try to deceive me, Eduardo. I have known your movements too long." "You do well to talk of deceit, madam, who have deceived me so long, and kept your daughc- ter as a spy ulpon ily motions." If you termn that deceit by which I have concealed her sex, I um willing to bear the blame of it. So far I have preserved her from the wrong which has wrapped me in shame ; and I hope I have given her a courage to pre- fer death to dishonor." A new thought-a new means to subdue the tigress temper before him, suddenly flashed, as all things had come, upon-his mind. "Do not think that I regret to have discov. cred your secret, or rather'to have learned the sex of your ehild. She is very pretty-very like what youonce were," said he, and a quiet smile stole over his cold face. Not new the jealous fears of a woman, but all of a mother's nature was aroused, and Mo- nona, pale as marble, threw herself at his feet. " Oh ! for the love of lIeaveh ! do not hint tiht she--s/cc, my child, will suffer wrong at your hands-! I know that no priestly lips have ever pronounced the nuptial benediction for us-but oh! have we not been as man and wife in the sight of Heaven for long, long years? Eduardo-Eduardo! speak ! You do not con- template this dreadful wrong ?" "Where isMaraquita do Regla ?" he softly asked, for he felt that Monona now would not refuse an answer. " She has gone on board of the American schooner, at anchor off the coast," sobbed the woman, "Ten thousand curses on you! Have yout given her up to him-to my deadliest foe? hall he conquer me in everything? Off, wo- man ! cling not to me now-off!" And he cast her from him with a force that left her stunned and senseless on the floor. i did not pause to look at her, but sternly strode from the house. Meeting his principal officer, he asked: " What was the plan of the expedition which you were about to undertake when I returned, Solano ?" "A night attack upon the Yankees in Tor- tuga Bay, my chief. There are but three ves- sels; and if we took them unawares, we could kill every man or run them overboard !" "That is so. I have left the schooner in a friendly port to refit, and I would have liked to have had her crew in the fray. But it mat- ters not ; we have men enough, and the attack must be made in boats. Muster our forces at once, and tell them that we will take those Yankees this night, for I will lead the expedi- tion!" Ay, ny, sir ! It will be the best iews they've heard in a year. low soon will we start, sir ?' " It will be dark within an hour-let all things be lpreparel within two. That will give us time to board them when they sleep the soundest in the nu(l-wateh ! Let the oars be muffled, and none but able men allowed to take an o'ir. This time we fight for safety and for revenge, not for profit." The officer hurried away to obey the orders of his chief, and the latter returned into his house, for he had.met the oilieer beneath the window, and but a step fromi the door. As he passed through the room where he had left poor Monoiia, 'he looked u)on the floor, but she was not there. She had recov- ered sufficiently to go from there. Ile went into the room where he usually sat, and where a sideboard was placed,ponm which stood de- canters of wine, brandy, etc. Of the last he took a brimming goblet, iiiuttering as he drank : "I will have her yet! Ilis life or mine this time." Where is your mistress, Lisa ?" he asked of servant, who entered. "She hasjust gone into her chamber, leior 1" replied the negress. " It is well! That is the best place for her," muttered the fierce man. And he woninto his armory to prepare himself better fr lie even- ing's work. CHAPTER XXXV. By good fortune Allen had several trunks of clothing on board, which had been taken from a vessel partially robbed, and deserted by pirates ; and in a short time, by the aid of these, the lady Maraquita was enabled to robe herself in a manner becoming her sex. le was then K j 4 '4y }C t f i' ;t h3 ,i . 3 3 r { Y t r ' ii ' 1, ,P 1 ( r . ! . t ;' . 4 1% _ T ± X $ f! I e, , s 1 t : ( i } Z #7 t ~[S ' 9' _ 1: fr t Yf .t F ; irk - t k MV' , 7 t 5 5 : r3 h + t 54 OUR MESS ; OR, ' t page: 56-57[View Page 56-57] TIE PIRATE-HUNTERS OF THE GULF. less delicate about introducing her to his offi- cers than he would have been had she been forced to appear in her male attire. And lie wished to introduce her ; for lie deemed it ne- cessary to call a council of the chief officers of the little squadron together, and to give them information of the evident vicinity of a large rendezvous of the pirates, as was proven by her recent adventure. The council was held ; and it was there de- termined on the morrow to start a large boat- expedition, which was narrowly to search every portion of the adjacent coast, and to penetrate any inlets, bays, or rivers which they inlght find. As it was evident, too, that there was danger of a surprise when a large body of inc were so near, additional look-outs were ordered, and it was agreed to hoist the board- ing nettings alter dark, and adopt other usual nrecautions. As the vessels lay anchored almost load and stern in a line in the narrow bay, their defence if attacked would be united, while it would extend the attacking force. The precautions were taken not because the Amer- icans believed the pirates would really have the audacity to attack an armed force, hut be- cause it was their duty to provide against its possibility rather than its probability. The night was dark ; had it been moonlight, Allen would have doubtless asked the lady of his love to promenade the deck, now deserted by all but the ofheer of the watch and the usual andh r-guard---for in no climate in the world are moonlight promenades more de- licious than in that flowery land. As it was, though, the hours flew on uncounted until af- ter the mniight watch had been changed, Allen and Maeaquita remained in the after- cabin of the schooner, conversing, for neither felt like parting, even for sluiber. Suddenly the hail of a sentinel was heard, shouting, boat ahoy !" An answer was given in Spanish, and Allen hurried to the decl;, for he felt almost intuit- ively that it must be something serious to bring a boat on board at that time of night. On a second hail, asking where the boat was from, and what she waited, at the same time warning her not to approach without pernis- sioni was granted, a female voice replied erie to save you from surprise and destruction! For your own sakes let me see your cominimander, instantly Allen gave t ie order, and in a few moments the boat was alongside, and lie assisted a fe- male over the side, whose form was concealed as well as sheltered from the night air by a large cloak. Which is your carptaim? let inc see him alone, instantly!" she said. " Come into t he cabin, madam !" said the young officer. Then bidding the officer of the deck detain the boat in which she came until further orders, he preceded her into that apart- ment. " Whom have I the honor of addressing, and what may the news be you have to impart ?" asked Allen, as he motioned the stranger to a seat. "That lady knows I am- I was - the slave of Colcefrinas, until his treachery and brutal treatment forced me to desperation and revenge. At the risk of my life I have come from his rendezvous with a faithful boat's crew, who are sworn to my service. He will attack your vessels within an hour, with at least one thou- sand men, hoping to take you utterly by sur- prise. If you repulse him you shall see me again-if you slay him, and will let me have enough to make me and my child independ- ent in some far off land where we are unknown, and guarantee us protection until we are free from this region, I will disclose the hiding- place of his treasures. Now let me go, for I must return and avoid his boats, or C am lost !" " Can I trust in what this lady says '" asked Allen of Maraquita. - I think you can. Her hand gave me my freedom!" said the seinorita. "Lady, would you not be safer to remain here ?" lie asked of Monona. " 'ilus forewarn- ed, we can easily repulse those who attack us. and afterward I can better serve you, prhnapsm!" I prefer to return, sedor-ny c li Id may be in danger ; fom she is yet a prisoner, in place of this lady !" " It shall be as you wish. And you have my thanks for this wrning!" " I need no thanks, sciior! I avenge myself in warning you. But, beware, be is even now near!" She waited no longer, but was gone in a mo- ment. Allen saw her over the side, and then hastened to send word to his colleagues to pre. pare for the impending attack, and lhinmselfsu- peinitended the acessary operations. The broadsides of the vessels were sprung so as to completely cover the entrane of the hay- the guns were depressed so as 10o sweep the surface of the watter within pistol-shot-they were loaded to the nmzzle with grape-shot and bags of musket-balls-all of the sill-arms were changed, and the crews of the guns sta- tioned. All the lights, except those usually shown by vessels at anchor, were put out, and the strictest silence enjoined, so that those who intended to surprise miight believe in their sue- cess until it was time to turn the tables on them. The men and ofileers had ben at their stations an hour at least-it seemed lon-er, for suspense hangs weights to the wings of Time--- and as yet no sound of the expected enemy was heard. "I shouldn't wonder if that woman had de- cieved us, and had only conie as a spy to see whether we were prepared or not !" said his first lieutenant to Allen, as the Ia ter leaned against the quarter-rail in a listening attitude. " hush--I hear the low dip of oars 1- Be x r, ready to throw up the blue lights the moment I give the worJ!" was Allen's low reply. 1 f To other ears t an those of one who watched anxiously w.th tie hope of Paine in his heart, thesoui is would have been inaudible, but soon they beeaue so dist inet that at almost the same mitoiment the. look-outs of the threeI vessels hailed. At that instant, a shower of rockets and blue lights thrown up from Allen's vessel lighted the little bay up with the glare of day, showing its entrance illiel with boats which were stealthily pll)ing toward the me:.els-- boats crowded with m'rmmed ien. Ihitherto teIy hail heen silent as death, but now, seeing thaiely were discovered, owth wild yells and m naddening hiouts they dashed toward the vessels. The guns scarce needed sighting ;and in a minute, w ith one terrific s hee of fire-one earth-aid-acan-shakiing sonI, the united broadsides sen the r freight of ironand lead among the miserable wriethes. While yet the wild echoes rolled from isle to isle, the erash of splintere 1Iboats, the shriekis of dyiing men, and the hubbling gronis of drowning ones rent the air. ThaieInhvoci nis terriile, vet it did not utterly cheek tlie onslaught of those terrible men. More oats were n'rowrding into the bay, and these, with hise wi haiebt had aeseaped the first dre rlfu I tire, still dhashen'd on with a brav- ery worthy rrf a ete curse. But to oal and tire, ith great guns and small, fromt Ihei''r yetihoo lb s hecks was an easy affhirt to ti Aie riemans, in t they poured in a fire so deadly, a binut a few hoats cane near enogh to atlemit to hboar'd. Coleefrinas, wiho hid led in a small, swift rowing g manirnd bun t half a dozen men, shouted his wi' r all in aoi--n-though escap- ing every shot, a it' liv magie, It) dished to a.id fino, al snoight to ire' his tif ltlowers into hue and on to tin at rit, hlaecould not mally them beyond; mnecormnl ott n'k, afnh then at last, with the loss of at list Inn n-twtmhi'rs of his Band, when he ias wounded badly in three different Places, ie sn Iinly gave the orler to retire. The action int I las ed but a few miinites, and the Anmeiric'ans hol nt maoman killed, ani but a few wounded b tire 'mrandoam shots which had reached them. It waIs lno t a bloodless vie- tory on their part. Al Iem was in i e tacies ; and thoughtIan'si heInr fit boa' lo pick up such wounded wm tes as mwoull ncept quarter, and to destroy tine*e whio lad aam to the islands, anl et rin'isled, or is-iht to seape, he scarcely lesired to spare one omfthema. "It's strs g ' aintr they should want t be saved from drowning, or a imiore decent one of bladin' to death, when they're sure to be hung if they live !" mrutered th iidoctor, while lie dressed thn' wounshdo a pirate wh was e ing- ing to li:e vithi tenacity. The attack mas iminhi' ae s'm thre hboors be- fore daylight, or Hereabouts yet the boats, crews of the vessels were kept busy until day- light im picking up wounded men, while the rest still loept eareful guard on board, lest with reinforcements the pirates might be so desper- ate as to attempt no reicw the attack. But they did not--their loss had been too g:'eat for that. CHAPTER XXXVI. When Colcfrinas was borne into his cham- esr, at the rendezvous, by sonime of his now- disheartened men, Monona, with mock-sym- pathy upon her lips and in her face, was the tirst to tender henrassistancec-fo'r she had re- turned undiscovered, and none but thsse who were imh the secret knew. Crowning more' with bitterness of hioart than with the ain of his wounds, Coleef'rins hsade lier ave him, rudely refusing her assistance. And ms soon as hs surgeon had attendeid to his wounds, hlie or- dered a council of his chief others to a-em- ble. " There has been treason at work somewhere among ourselves '' said th. " If the r nkHes had mot befaoirsrn''Il f orainiten' at- takti, they could t1 hvhm V ina so cornletr'lv prepared. 'l'iTy n mr at ihra' gnuns, a id titn' guns loaded el sly for an amunthek, an their lights anda rockets ready to throw ttn'i glare upon us ! It is evident that there must be son one among us who is alise!" The others assented to this-limit to discover the traitor or traitors was th thing to be ne- complished. " Who among you will desert me ?" asked the wounded pirate. " Not one-we will die with you, but never desert you!" wa the unanimon's reply. The chief smiled a ghastly smile,, for he was suffering all the while. "I had expected hais devotion!" lie said. 3ut you do not understand mie. I want a volunteer who will lesert---under a flag of truce deliver hninmself into the hands of the Yankees, and under the pledge of iarlon and protection, agree to not is a pilot for them. He can gain their confidenimce by leading them to some of our long-shore baoat-stations, from which our men, forewarned, many escape to the hills, and he can discover who the traitor is that has been so nearly our ruin, and who will be our destruction. without he is diseovere d and pmi- ishedh ! Who new will volunt er to do this wor'k ?" No aisle responded ! t was dangerous ; for, once on board the Annmericai vessels, an tiea- ehery there would isure to meet tie rope! Open danger none of themm would have shunned. Each man was willing to fight to the Iast gasp, but none of thmns liked the idna of wearing a hempen cravat.' Few men do. 'here would be a thousand murder's a day were it not for the wholesome fear of that uncomfortable ar- ti'le. And yet some mawkish philaanthrm'opists, with more sympathy for the amurdonera than S} i ' ;y r' t ,1 67 L' OUR MESS ; OR, page: 58-59[View Page 58-59] 5- OUR MESS; OR, their victims, would have its use abolished ! A little rape among them would benefit the world in general, I believe. "I will not send any one, for the duty is as unpleasant as it is full of risk!" said Colce- frinas. And then his face brightened, as a new idea seemed to strike him. He dismissed all of his * officers, except two in whom he confided more than all the rest. To one he said : "You will see that the lady Monona is, during the rest of the day and night, confined strictly to her chamber. Let her have communication with no one outside. To-morrow, I care not where she goes !" To the other he confided a inc sage in a whisper, only adding, at the close, in a louder tone, "If she consents, bring her here quickly -if not, let her renuin until I will is other-- wise!" ' Trie officer bowed and hurried away, while his comrade went for a guard to carry out the other order of his chief. This plan will work, I think, muttered the chief, and exliasted with his exertions, he sunk back upon his couch to rest. CIIAPTERt XXXVII. Mariana, left hopeless by the sudden depart- ure of Colcefrinas, pined even more rapidly than did poor Maraquila, when she had no hope of relief before her, and feared a fate more dreadful than death. Ier heart had not been schooled to reverses, and her nature taught to bend and vield, rather than to resist! and break. Alt ! this is a hard world to learn, aid one is apt to die just when lie lis got fairly schooled in its bitter lessons. Mtariana ssat moody ad listless in the splen- dor of her prison, 'when again the sound of footsteps feIl upon her ear, and she heard the door untbiarred. But she did not raise her owed head from the table whereon it rested, foi she knew that they were not his footsteps which she heard-that he was not the one wto approached. "1 bear a message from Ooleefrinas to Ma- riana !" said the person who stood before her. She knew the voice, and quickly raised her great black eves, mind anxiously scanned his face, as if she would read- there his tidins before he spake them. You know mie ?" said the otiicer. I do, Solano-i do ! What message did Ice sel to s ""- lie is sorely wounded, or lie would htve come himself; but hie bade me ask you, i lie gave you freedom, would you swear'to render honestly to him and the band a most import- eat service! !' I would die for 1imi I never have been unfaithiful to hint, uint in aiding the e;h s 'of the poor girl whon he kept hes ot onelt-y against her will. le is noble, too little to war against women, or to t'ry to force their love! Lovb is a thing which grows-slowly, but alt ! how deep it roots. Go to him and tell him, that he may command my every.breath in life. I would lose each drop of blood in my veins, drop by drop, im his service! I ask no freedom but to serve him. Go to hini, good Solano, go to him, and tell him this !" " My instructions ,ere, if I found you vil- ing, to takeyou with me into his p'e5(nce!" Oh joy ! I am ready this instant to go. But shall I not go in the garments I used to vear "' - No, lady-if I judge ariglht, you will be his page no longer!" sauid Sli oiieer. "And the garment s you now wreat' h-come you too umucht for any one to wish to see you in any other !"- Mariana made no objections. She was but too glad to leave her trisot-oo glad to go to hit for whont she felt a love as wild and deep as it was strange and unnatural. She stood by his side, blushing and trem- bling like a child in the pr ie of a god lie, still faint and weak omt t he loss of bl od, wt-as ale pale, ut he never hld looked so noble inlia 1-eyes, for he spoke very gently and kinid '. "These Yankees have been too much for us, Mariana !'' said he. " And they will yet destroy us all if we do not soon turn'the tales (en them. Solano says Shat you are willing to serve mite!. " Witlh ty life, my'k lor'd-you have but to command, and I will otey , " Some one among us'has been having the traitor. The Yankees have teen iade ae- quaintetd with our inat -tol miiov temnts ; and it is only wonderfuli t me tint the Iraitor, whoever it be, hans ot revealed our pace of rendezvous. But that salsties me that he is vet among us, probably hats a ftittiiy here, id has not yet prepare Ito unisI all lis work of troatcherv. it is neacry-sam to nt out iwho he is, and to mislead the -nkeet until we ean taike them at an advantage! "You twish me to go ?' Yes, ititana ;,for I feel that I can trust yout, atnd when yott tell theta that you have escaped front your prison, they twill believe you-for the lady Maraquita is on board of Allen's vessel, and will coifirt your state- mtents r' SSlu there? l) voi wish to secure her agaii ?" aske d l iain i iths an eagerness wich ibbetmayed Item'fehiig-. " No," said Colcetrintt, vith aimtnair of care- lessness whiih at once dii-irtmed Miriana of all hter jealous thought. " 1 do net care to rob the V'nkee of his wortll--i S 'ireasuttre. lint I1 a I have itis life, or drive hltim ad his eon- f edk-rate; away ' rmciii tih co t. ' hat done, we cuitild seek a me' ' qhuiet lo';e iii some other uasnd, hut t-u', thy e',en cut oi our C, only path of retreat. Can you do me this' service, Mariana ?" " I can and will, faithfully, if I lose my life in carrying out your wishes. I have no desire but to serve you, no wish but to live and die near you !" "We will never be long separated, Mariana!" said the wily pirate. " If we but succeed in driving these pests away, I intend to gather together my treasure, and to go far, far front here, I have seen enough of peril and of bloodshed ! Your young days have been dark ones, in future you shall see sunshine !" The impassioned girl knelt by his bedside, and covered his hands with glad tears and kisses, It seemed strange, even to Colcefrinas, that during all this time she did not ask for her mother. But she seemed to have but one thought-one feeling-to know of, or to care to know of, but one being on earth. " When shall I go, my master ?" she asked, as she arose to her feet. "As soon as night mantles the sky, my love. Take my own light skiff, which 1 will have prepared for you. You will easily find the Americans. They are at anchor in Tortuga Bay, When you have learned all you can, and found out who it is that has betrayed us, hasten to my side. They will not watch you, and escape will be easy. in the meantime, do not speak to a soul here. Your mother is in her apartment, and not verj well. But I do not wish her to know that you are here !" "If my master will permit, I will remain by his side until it is time for me to start !" You surely shall have your wish, my good Mariana! I low strange that I should not have discovered your sex before ! You are very, very beautiful So well was the entrance to the rendezvous of the pirates concealed, that the boats of the Amer can expedition rowed by within less than two hundred yards of it, and did not discover it, on the day after their successful repulse of the pirates. And though they hunted up and down the coast for some leagues to the eastward and westward of their anchorage, they discovered nothing of note. When Allen returned to his vessel at night, he was weary and disappointed, for he had felt confident that he would discover the main nest of the gang, and completely break them up. But he found a visitor who brought to him news that was far from unimportant it was none other than the American Consul front Matanzas, in person, who came to de- scribe the suspicious-looking schooner which was refitting in that port as a Spanish priva- teer, and which he believed to be a pirate.' From the consul's description, Allen had no doubt but that she was his late antagonist, and his first thought was to sail at mace and capture her. But he knew that Coleefrinas' was not in her, f r he had recognized him in 1 F the night attack, and hoped that he was slain for twice, with an almost unerring rile, he had fired at hint, as he believed, with good aim. The consul had also learned that near a week would pass before the schooner would be ready for sea, and Allen, therefore, determined to spend a day or two more in his search for the pirates, for he knew that they must be somewhere near. While he was conversing with the consul and Maraquita, a messenger from the officer of the deck announced that a boat with a single person, and that a woman, had come alongside, not having been seen un- til she was within a few feet of the gangway. "If so poor a watch is kept as that, we are never safe from surprise.!" said Allen, angrily. "have the woman brought into the cabin, and double the watch. It is doubtless the same who forewarned us of the night attack. She promised to return." Wien the messenger returned, bringing Mariana instead of her mother, Allen was greatly surprised, and Maraquita uttering a cry of joy, hastened to embrace her, for she felt that to her, principally, she owed her free- dom. flurried inquiries were made, and re- plies given, between the two females, by which Allen learned that Mariana, fearing that Col- eefrinas would slay her, had escaped, and fled to his vessel for protection. She had not seen her mother, but had heard of the night-attack, and that Colcefrinas was badly wounded. And to her utter astonishment, Mariana now learned that her mother had been the one who had warned the Americans of the intended at- tack-to her agony we may add, for she had sworn to Coleefrinas that she would find out and reveal the traitor, whoever it might be. She knew how wild and jealous was her mo- ther's disposition, but she had not dreamed that it would lead her to be false to those with whom she had dwelt so many years, and to bin whom she had so wildly loved. It must be remembered- that Morkana, reared from childhood amongst these des- perate people, did not look upon piracy as a crime, and regard it with an eye of horror, but thought more of it as an honorable war- fare, in which all that was taken was a prize to the victor. Was not all the world against her people, and were they not right to prey upon the world ? She thought so, and knew no better. Who could lame her? After hearing all that Mariana had to say about liver escape, and also of the damage which the pirate had sustained in the night-attack, Allen began gently to ask how the pirates were situated. Mariana now had her most difficult task to perform. Womanlike she appeared to fear-to attempt to pilot the Americans to the strong- hold of the pirates, and sie also said they had several. And she so greatly exaggerated their numube:s, that Allen believing al she said, felt that it would be folly with his force THE PIRATE-HiUNTERS OF THE OUIF. ,i.i , page: 60-61[View Page 60-61] 00 OUR MESS; OR, to attack them in a body, but he hoped to separate them and cut them off in detail, pre- vent their marauding (xeirsioins, and finally to harass them into leaving those waters for- ever, or else utterly to destroy them. And he forebore that evening to push his inquiries or requests further, and left Maraquita and Mari- ana to themselves, with the true delicacy of a gentleman. CHAPTER XXXIX. "I am truly obliged to your serene highness for permission once more to stand in your presence," said Monona, no kingly, to Colce- frinas, wh -, after finding the guard removed from her door, she hal ventured from her chamber to that in which lie lay. " I did not anit to be annoyed by your false sympathies, untilI found that my wounds were not of a sertols nature, and my recovery likely to be retarded by a woman who no longer loves me !" said he. "And whom you never loved, you might as well have added." "You can have it so if it pleases you, iiad- am." " I will. I am sorry that you are likely to recover ; there will be one1 personal greatly dis- appointed by it." Yourself, I presume ?" " No, sir ; yet anot her !" " May I ask who ?" " Certainly :his Satanic Majesty, whose prime-miister you are on car Ii. lie needs you below, where promotion awaits you !" " Your endeavors to be fueetious are very amusing, madaim." " I)o they annoy you, sir ?" "Not at all, nuolam: you may continue." Not if it pleases you. IHlow can I annoy y'ou ?" " By cutting your own throat." " That I shal not do until l y have seen Col- cefrinas hanged. It will take a strong rope to hold oiu; sin is heavy ! "A chain cable would scarcely sustain your weight, miauhai.'' A chain of gold nwil, when I am your wid- ow and heiress to your il-gotten wealth." " When you :ire, nin ii, may' I roast !" " )ouibt less, -you w ill h riastliug about that time. .You ought to follow thiie example of your illustrous prototypie., Blue Beard. Ile used to kindle a hir'. of irimistone iii iis hold, and go dorn there to sOee how long he could stand it. \WTit h 'Your prospeets'hieloi'e you, von should hariden yours, If to slphiureoius flames a- soon as po sile.' " I will, madm, if you will heal rme com- pliny." - " Ah! I see 'your ohL passion is returning. You really wiisll to have mi by your ia againI" "' es, if it is to sul'er i' "Well, I regret that I cannot oblige you If you have no objections, I wll take a walk in the fresh air. I am sorry the Yankees have so disabled you that 1 cannot have the pleas- ure of your company-very sorry ! Should I see a better-looking man, I may ask him to escort me.'' "As you please, miadam ; no folly of yours can now anger me-no net of yours injure ie. I hate you now as bitterly as 1 once loved you warmly. Were you not a woman, I would feed the sharks with your parcase. As it is, I despise you." Tie eyes of the fierce, hating woman fairly blazed wi h anger. " Eduardo Coeefrimas," she lii.ed, " you may hate me- care not for that ; but, by the hivimg God ! you shall find that I amt not t be despised !" What do you mean, my gentle-tempered love ?" asked he, with a sneer. "That if you know when you are well off, you will give moe and my child gold enough to hive im comfort iin sie land far away from the contamiuinatiuig atmosphere where you dwell, and let Is lepart at once." " You are modest ii your' ideimaiids. I will give you gold, andi let you go, out of pi'y; but your daughter loves nie too well to leave ie. She wil gladly remain i your pl ee." " Monster, you lie ! She loves you not" " You had better ask her. If she will go with you, you both are free to go." If you have any honor left, will you say that on your honor1 '?" " If I have any honor left, I renew the p°ro°- ise on my Iahuor, m iadim." Coleefrimaus, I wil take you at your word ; for I will not believe you to be so quite lost to self-respect as to basehy deceive mie where you have passed your word. I will see her ;,.and ifi she says sie loves you-if she dares-" 'he inmotlier gasped : she could not utter the horrible thought. " Wul,,ntenmiaa, if shic does-what then !" " I will drive a dagger to its hilt in hor heart and my own!" edl the woiiani, mismig her voice almost to a shriek, and clenchmig her hands t iget her, until the nails sunk deep into thme palmus and the red bloo I gushed from be- neath ti mii. '' I will see her ! I will see her I" shie cried. And, trembhulig with excitement, shie left the house. If you tind her !" muttered the pirate, glad that she was gone for tie cxeitement had been.too niuch for hu. lie was so weakened, that hIe was oh igeh to simuminon a servant to give him a stimulating draught. CIIAPTEIt XL. It jeered strange ; but Allen bad eonsent- cd to the r quest. strange as i wa. if Mari ania tluaut if her mother caine otf from the shore, sce was to be kept concealed from her; THE PIRATE-HUNTERS OF THE GULF. 61 nor was her mother to be informed of her es- cape. The reason she gave for this was, that her mother was of a variable and fickle nature, and in her anger so careless, that she might etray her whereabouts to Coleefrinas ; and Mariana seemed to fear him as if le were sonic demon possessed of more than mortal powi r. And well for Mariana's plans was it that she had made this request ; for, on the evening following that of her arrival on board, her mother came as before'- and this time for the purpose of betraying the pirate-chieftain in his stronghold. Shebrought to Allen a draw- ing of the rendezvous bav, and a chart of the entrance, drawn with her' own hand ; but she did not disclose the hiding-place of the trea- sure - determined, probably, to keep that knowledge for hier own benefit, for the time, at least. Mariana, from na state-room close at hand, heard all this ; and she could scarcely conceal her feelings from Maraquita, who remained with her. it may be imagined that, with her own feelings for Coleefrinas, she had not loved her mother very deeply before ; but now she felt for her no feeling of affection, and only wanted a chance to escape from the vessel, and expose her in time to save her chief and his band from the effects of her betrayal. With almost tremulous eagerness, she heard her mother agree to have a small beacon-light .placed outside the entrance to the bay of ren- dezvoy's on the next night, and thus to aid the Americans in their descent upon the band. In regard to the numbers of the enemy and their condition, her statement and that of her mo- ther did not agree ; but Allen did not think of studying discrepancies. So entirely was he bound up in the duty upon which he and his have colleagues had been sent, that he did not feel inclined to ask how many he was to meet: his greatest desire was, to know wh e they were. lie got the consul to go back to watt the movementss of De Itegla and the seh ner in Matanzas-promising to follow or send a ves- sel to capture her after he had attended to the ease of the pirates at their head-quarters ; then holding a council with the other officers, he made them acquainted with the rare good news he had received ; and the evening was spent in joyous anticipation of a livelier night to ensue. Perhaps no men enjoy, proportionately with the hardships which they must suffer, life as to our naval otli:crc; none can better appre- ciate a social hour than they. Guarded against .issipation by a stern and severe discipline, they can yet enjoy their friendly glass of wine, r more fraternal glass of "grog," and a fra- grat eigar ; and when in a knot," can spin thei- " varus" with a gusto that cannot well te2' o rihed or appreeiated, except by one of ". :c = or one who has been of them-as , r.with hiti who pen theme lines. And on this occasion - the honors of the " mess" being dulv performed by Allen, some excellent punch brewed, and other indispensa- blee passed round--the olicers of the little fleet enjoyed themselves until a late hour. They had not un f ear of another night at- tack the last had pirlably taken a desire for at turnal comiibat4 out of the main body of the pirate . It was late when Allen's guests left hiim, and he retired at onee; for Monona hid gone back to the shore long before, and lhi. other guests had gone to their state-rooms at an early hour. CH1APTEIt XLI. W Where is Mariana ?" asked Allen, on the ensuing morning, of Maraquita, as the latter came from her state-room, looking as fresh as a magnolia tinged with the morning sunlight. " We wait breakthst now for her.' " I will see," replied the young lady, " if she is dressed." She asent to her state-room and knocked, but received no response. She tried the door; and, it being unfastened, she opened it and looked in. Mariana was not there. Maraquita's exclamation of surprise drew Allen instantly to her side. " Not here !" he exclaimed, in wonder "Where can she be ?" And instantly search was made in nil other parts of the vessel where she could have gone ; for he thought she might have risen early and gone to pronmenade on deck. But she was not to be found ; and on examination, it was dis- covered that the small skiff iii which she came, which had been fastened astern, was also missing. Maraquita now bethought her how~ agitated Mariana had been when they both heard Monona telling Allen about Colee'rinas and his posi- tion, and told 'Allen of it. "I see through the matter now !" said the latter. "Mariana hams been sent here as a spy --she has been to us with falsehood on her lips and treachery in her heart !'" - "I cannot believe it I" responded Maraqui- ta. "She was the only one who was kind to me when I was in his power : her mother, even when she helped me to miy freedom, was stern and harsh. There is some mystery in this ; but I cannot believe that Mariana came as a spy l" " We will see. I. shall learn, before mid- night, if my conjectures are right ; for if she has been here ns a spy, and discovered her mother's treachery to the band, Colcefrinas will know it, and be on his guard." "Even if it were so, she would not betray her itother to his terrible anger !" "It would not seem natural that she should -but crime, or an association with criminals, hardens every nature. There is no imagining what she would or would not do. But this , s , j {}F :i ,) "a ! s ,{ x f .E * 1' ; {k{ ' °i ~' 1 f Ji . a , f 1 " J 7 page: 62-63[View Page 62-63] 62 OUR ME must not spoil our appetites : to breakfast, fair lady mine-to breakfast!" Trhiey hal bit just taken seats at the table, when a message from the officer of the deck announced a boat coming into the bay, with an English flag flying over hier stern-sheets. The face of Allen Bushed with pleasure yi he received the message. "If any of the EniglhPli fleet are outside," said he, "~they will gladly cu-operate with us, and our force will be so strengthened that no position or defeice of the pirates will avail them. If there is an oticer in the English boat, let him be invited to breakfast with me," he added, to the messenger. " There are two, sir," said the latter: "I saw them before I caine below." "Very well. Steward, place two' more plates here, and let the cook do his duty. l'hese Englishmen live by eating! They're in a good humor only when their bread-baskets are fill." Maraquita smiled at this idea, for it seemed singular thnt one's good-nature should depend on his feeding. But she had not time to make any remarks, if any suggested themselves to her, for two of- ficers were ushered into the cabin. Both wore the crown-and-anchor button of the royal navy ; but one was dressed in a black frock coat, and wore the spotless cravat of white, which told tint he was a chaplain in the serv- ice. The first-a fine-looking man, of not more than thiirty--introduced himself as Lord Seymour, ca ptain of the frigate Medusa, and introduced the other as Mr. Mordnunt, the chap- lain of his ship. Both gentlemen accepted the invitation to breakfast without hesitation: a morning's row from the frigate, which lay in the roads, five or six miles off, had given them an appetite. And Allen's appetite seemed to increase-for a new and happy thought had entered his mind the moment that he saw the clerical rig of the chaplain. What it was, none but a di- abolical old bachelor, or a wretched ancient maiden, will have or take occasion to inquire. And as his eyes met those of Maraquita, and glanced thence toward the chaplain, a blush on her lovely cheek told that she read the first wish of his'heart-a blush of joy; for thought she was modest and pure as a child, yet she was too artless to conceal her warm heart's feel- ings. While they were at breakfast,Allen, without hesitation, revealed his knowledge of the pi- rates and their position, and his intention of attacking them ; and asked the co-operation of Lord Seymour and as many of his crew as he could spire. The latter assented readily : "'Twill be a jolly bit of fun, no doubt," said lie. "Parson, you'd as readily take a hand in it as you would a game of wlhist, wouldn't you ?" he added, addressing the chap- lain. ss, oR, "More readily !" said Mr. Mordaunt. "Are not those bloodthirsty creatures the enemies alike of Cod and man. It is our solemn duty to destroy them!" " I was not aware before that the chaplains of your navy ever encountered active service," said Allen, vith a smile at the earnest manner of the chaph in's reply. " If we tig itwith the men for a victory that we have prayed for," answered the chaplain, "they will be sure to believe in our sincer- ity.' "That is so!" replied Seymour, with a smile. ' "You see, lieutenant, we have a model chaplain, who believes in works as well as words !" "So I perceive, sir. IIe must be a valuable auxiliary on board your vessel." "HUe is, indeed. Why, he is quite a sailor, withal. He can take an observation as well as the master: work ship ; and to-night, if we overhaul those bloody buccaneers, you will s e how well he can handle a sword." "Does lie understand knotting ndil splic- ing ?" asked Allen. And he glanced at Mar. aquita. Though she did. not understand nautical terms, the lady seemed to comprehend the meaning of that question, for the red blood again flushed her cheek and mantled her brow. Seymour saw the look and blush, and in a moment comprehended the drift of the quer- ist. "Yes, very well," he answered. "iIe has hid several occasions to practice since lie has been on this station, andi I assure you is com- pletely au fait at the business." "If lie intends to join our expedition to- night, I may ask a trial of his skill before we go, for fear that lie may be incapacitated for acting before we return," said Allen. "To be brief md to the point, lMr. Mordaunt," he continued, " this lady and myself are engaged to be married ; and as there is no legal imped- iment to our union, the emeiony might be performed here, which should have been per- formed in the first port I reached." "Certainly ; and it will afford me sincere pleasure to act upon the happy occasion, and to tie a knot which no mortal can justly untie," said the chaplain. Maraquita having excused herself and re- tired to her room, Allen gave his visitors a brief account of her recent romantic ativen. tures, withholding for her sake the knowledge that lie had of her father's complicity with the pirates. In truth, he hind withheld it from her so far as lie could, though she could not but know something of it. lIe knew that she was not to blame for any evil which her father might have dlone, or might do ; and lie was not one of that msite-souled, narrow-minded class which think that tue ha. act of one person at taints the blood of every one connected with him by blood. TUE PIRATE-HUNTERS OF TiE GULF. 6S CHAPTER 'XL., - joy the cheerful society of his new-fou Marriage, where. heart clings to heart and friends. lie could appreciate it the-more now. Nature's laws are not transgressed, is a holy for he had served against us in the war of 1812 thing. Otherwise, it is a confounded humbug. and '14, and been taken in the hard-fought ac- There is my opinion given gratis, and I hope tion between the Constitution and Guerriere, with sufliciciff brevity to suit all anxious in- and then experienced that courtesy with which quirers after that opinion. an American ever treats a conquered foe, and And there is no eretony mtoreawe-inspir- formed an esteem for the nation which no af- ing to a thikin lg mind-not ev1 that which ter-time could wash away. And simular asit consigins " dust to dust," and gives soul-for- may seem, men who have fought together, if saken mortality to the worm. I have witness- ever after they become friends,.are apt to be ed it in the gloon shadows of old cathedrals much more ardent in their friendship than -in the gayer churches of pharasaical Chris- those who have never quarreled or been op- tendom-in the oaken halls of staunch ships, posed the one to the other. in the broad aisle of the lofty forest, and have The day passed gayly on. The English ever felt that that linking of the destinies frigate came into the anchorage, was saluted of two beings-tlhat utterance of vows which by the Americans and returned the compli- none10 shouldbreak-(alas ! how many do)-was: meat. All the vessels were dressed in gay col- a solemn, a holy thing. ors ; and if the pirates had any spies abroad. And when Lieutenant Allen stood by the they might well wonder what great holiday side of Maraquita de Regla in the neat eabin was tlis, thus celebrated. A superb dinner of that schooner-clad, he in his neat uniform, was given on board the Alligator. But it is she in a robe as spotless as her own bosom- not my humor, even if it is my province, to surronuded by his friends, the officers who had describe the bridal festivities-I have other . weathered mauy a storm in his company, the work to do. . low, deep voice of the chaplam rising i prayer, Allen, joyous as was the occasionl, and much the scene was as solemn as any that man ever as lie endeavored to make every one around witnessed. Every breath but that of God's him participate in the pleasure which he fe minister was hushed-every look was serious- did not for a moment forget lis duty, and the every heart seemed t feel that the time and armorers of the vessels were busied in s ng the ceremony imadp the place holy. that every weapon was in order-the gun ers The binding vyOs there uttered-the sacred saw to the ammunition-the coxswain of every benediction given, and Maraquita wept tears boat saw to its ears and equipments, and the of joy, as many a bride has done before, and men all knew, that when night came on there will do yet ; for she was a wife-the wife of hn was work ahead for them, from which some to whom her young, pure heart had been giv- would, in all probability, never return. But en. And witi iianly pride he kissed ,her such thoughts as these never cheek the hilar- white brow, and inly swore that never, never ity of a true sailor. IlIe is almost always a should she regret tie hour that was then pass- believer in " destiny," and seldo'n looks ahead ing. Neither of then thought how soon they for trouble, believing that it will come soon might be divo-ced by that stern Judge whose enough without his sighing for it. law adtuit" of no appeal-how soon the icy "I do not wish to disuade you from the shadow of death might fall athwart the path honor which you seek, or the fame which sue- now sunny bright. ecs will give you," said Lord Seymour to Al- The ceremionv over, Allen received the con- len, as the latter toward night began to partie- gratulations of his brother officers as well as ularly superintend the preparations for the those of his English friends; and more than eight expedition ; "but under the cireum- one' glass of sparkling wine was drank to the stances, there is not an officer of us all who health of a bride so fair, and a groom so brave, would not justify you in remaining on board And before lie had an idea of it, else ie would your vessel this evening, instead of leading the have beggel them to save their powder, each attack. If some of us single men ge\ knocked vessel opened with a commander's salute in his in the head, it will be small loss to us, and a honor ; nd their crews, on being called to step of promotion to the lucky one below us. "splice the main-brace" in honor of the event, But were you to fall, it would be death to your made the air ring with their congratulating young bride.' cheers. "If I knew that I should fall, I still should Lord Seymour, who had none of the stiff- lead my men to-night," said Allen, firmly, but naes of land-ihbherish aristocracy-for he had with a gloomy sadness in his tone and look been bred from his boyhood in the service- that was long remembered by him whom he was particularly gay, declaring it to be "the addressed. "Yet I thank you for the sugges- jolliest, best time he had seen since he had left tion, for I know'that it is based on very kind the chalky shores of old Bnitannia," and was motives." contented to send out his boat with Allen's "You do me only justice in saying so," re- sailing-master to pilot the Medusa into an an- sponded the English captain. "And since you ehorage in the bay, that he might stay and en- insist upon going, you shall have a full chance page: 64-65[View Page 64-65] for the credit of the thing. I shall place my- self and men under your command, and let you control the expedition.' "My lord, you are too~generods." "Not a bit of it, my dear fellow. I am only sorry that you will en !anger your life when it has become doubly valuable to you." Maraquita, with gratitude in her throbbing heart, overheard this conversation ; and though there was agony in the thought that he might fail, she could not but love icr noble husband all the better because no motive or ecue would draw him aside from the path of duty. Sh° applauded his resolution in silence, while she prayed that every peril might h averted from his dear form. hers was a paniseh e- man's heart-not a Spaniard's heart, dear reader, for the n of that nation have dwis- dIed down into cowardly, worthless thoia. of late years. litt their women hannotd Jate- riorated in the same ratio. Why, I know not. But such is the case. Look at the Chnusi, though one hundred to one ainnst their (as- tillian masters, yet bowing to the most tyri.n- nical rule in the civilized world. An i when such a hero as Lopez rises to aid them in casting off the yoke of slavery, they are the first to betray him, to shout at his murder, and to aid in the cowardly butchery. But this is not a part of my sto'-y-only a drop of the bitterness that experience among such bounds lis squeezed oit of my nature. Back to my pen-path. Byt he time that night fell, every'available boat from the three American vessels and from the British frigate, was manned with armed crews. The flags of the two nations floated side by side in the same friendly breeze, for the only contest now was to be which would be foremost in punish- ing the red-iatnded enemiits of all tile world. The chaplain, who had laid aside his black coat and white cravat, sat, in a sailor's jacket and a stout leathern cap, by the side of Lord Seymour, in his gig, nd everv officer was in . his boat, except Allen alone, who was bidding adieu to his fond, but now pale and trembling pride. For the shadow of gloom which, in spite of his efforts, had fallen on his heart more than once during the afternoon, had renehed her heart, and she now clung to him with a foreboding that they would meet no more in life. He felt-alas! sadly felt-that foreboding, but he hushed it down And would not let it reach her ears. "heaven bless you, dearest-I must go, for my men await my coming. Keelp up a good heart, I will return victorious in a few hours and my duty done, will give my time to love and you I" lie said, as he pressed her warml; to his noble breast. "God guard and keep you, my life I" si sobbed. One thrilling embrace-one warm kiss, an be was gone. The next moment she knee that he was in his boat at the head of his men OUR MESS; OR, THE PIRATFhIIUNTERS OF TILE GULF. for cheer after cheer reached her ers. Bt they fell sadly upon her heart, and she went into her state-room to weep and to pray for him. CIIAPTEIR XLIII. Coleefrimas, al hough wenal n by loss of blood and hi alnia superhunii e-Lrtois in the night attack upou tinh Ate e;1 anv- rapidly ri'nIed ^e it 'ii h ;r l;hi, was ILol a piri or t 5Will 0 yeld to Bodily weak- teraltA, and willal a n.tlh of nunn llhas ever mo re to do in ra 1i euire than t urgrn s skill. 1,.on the thii1 or iifiourti daiv Lfter ho received h1 .:oundl he Wasio ' recovered as to be tle to move slowly abolt his room, andi to sit up and11 cO Ir-e whitI sucb of his ofiieerS as he ebo 10) tdllt into hIts prtee1ce. lie had se I Mrlonb hut o sine side she left hi iln suc teribtie ailgeIr to gonu1)1 ( mi 11 iner daughter, nid thou ise p iosd lium nin sulh lau anl moody sileige, not (n n('1 asking hint where her daughter was. Thia did not dis- pleasea him ;for he had bea fully satistied that in tongue-battle Ishe was more thant a iaten for him, and so long as site avoided and did not actually annoy hu, lie card little what became of her, or what she did f;ior if he had ever felt any love for her, that feeling was now utterly baminhed from hle heat, antd to say the least, ilditference, ifnet dslike, had taken its place. But once had he seen her mi ii about noon of the day succeedig her second eight visit to the American ve sels. Ilen she cane front her chamber, looking, as cal and eontented as if she had never beet paned or angered, as if nothing whatever disturbed her. He, with all his knowledge of human character, might have mistrusted that "calm," but be did not seem to. lie ginned carelessly at her as she passed in silence thiougi the room where he sat, but made no remark. When she bad gone out, h sai to Solano, who was by his sde : " It is time that we saw or heard something from Mariant I1do not think it will take her long to discover what we desire. She possesses the wit of a wo01 omn with the courage of a man !" Scarcely had these words passed his lips when a hurried step was heard, alid the sub ject of his thoughts and words made her ap- pearanee. 11cr face was paleu and anxios-- her manner nervous, and full of agitation. r "You have news ?" cried Coleefrinas, hur- I riedly. "t have. It is not good. The rendezvous e is known to the eny, and you will be at- y tacked to-night.", "Who is the traitor that has betrayed us e "I cannot tell,'my master !" said Marinain; and ahe turned deathly pale, and trembled d like a reed shaking in a gale. wi "Do you know r" asked Coleefrinas, and 2, ia keen eyes seemed to read her very soul- "I do, my master. I cannot lie to you-I ,do fo" - And will not tell ?"' Oh, yI lilaster, spare mne-do not ask me !" and sie dropped on her knees before him, andI kissedI his hands, while hot tears rained down ini showers from her great black eyes. I~ laan instant Coleefrinas divined all-; and with a strong effort completely mastering his r passiols, an i seeing to be perfectly calm, le said, in the mil st1) gentle tone " You need not, myx' poor Mariaiia-you need not. Rise and o to yourli ii room to take some rest. ltt smre amoment-you say we ivill be at- taeketl t -igh." -Ve, imy aiister. At midnight a beacon webill be shown at tie outer point of the wind- . ag entrance to the bay-it is to guide your destrovers he'r'." It will guide them to death. We will now show theml that we tlurned poiet.hing of them the other night . Uut what meant the cannon- iding we' harI to-day?" I kniw not. It'was nearly (lawn when I escaped from thevessel, and I had to row far to windward, ailoiig the islands, to escape the sight of their guard-boats, which are rowing along the coast. I heard the guns fired asif for a salute, and supposed that more vessel hand joined themi !" h " Likely. J)o vou think they know of the stronghold ani treasure vaults in the moun- tains '" " No more Ilhan the Seti rita do Regla has told them, and lishe knows not where they aie!'" "IS is well. let ire tinow, my good child, and rest--by-aud-hy I will have von called I" Mariana's tace flushed'with joy. ie spoke to her so kindly. She again kissed his hand, and then retired as he bade 1her'. But the moment that she was gone, the bland look upon the face of Colcefrinasphang- and even Solano, who knew him so well, was almost terrified at the terrible change which his anger made in his face. The tigress was right I" lie hissed. " She Is mut to he despised! But she is to be pun- ished! The traitiess shall dearly rue the heur when first the thought of treachery to us en- tered her heart !" "To whom do you allude ?" asked Solano, "To Monona. She it is who has betrayed us! Siheit was who -rinformed the cursed Yankees of our intended surprise, and who caused the loss of half our best men, and gain- ed for me these crippling wounds. I have been blind not to guard against her, knowing that a jealous woman will not stop at any- thing. But she has had help, She could not go alone, for she has not Mariana's skill with the oar. We must quietly find out whom she has in her confidence, who has rowed her 'about in the many little pleasure-exeursions which she has recently undertaken. To yo, Solano, I intrust this delicate work while I confront her ; and then we must make haste to prepare to receive our friends to-night. If they do obtain a foothold here, we have yet a place of retreat which they cannot force-if they do, it will be the worse for them, for if the worst cones to the worst, mlly own hand shall send all to hell together. 'I know that you never will desert me !" "Never-never !" said Solano, as he grasped the hand of the desperate chief. " Then haste to do my bidding. But let no agitation of yours announce our discoveries. When you have found those mn out, secure them where they cannot bh seen or spoken to except by their guard, and bid the latter nei- ther to ask nor answer any questions ! But first tell that she-tigressthat'Iwant tosee her; and if she refuses to come, have her arrested and placed in the strong-room below. without causing any excitement, if you can. If she comes, send two of the trustiest men to await my ordersr" 'Th'lie officer bowed, and'Colcefrinas, who, by a great effort, had again become calm, was left for the moment alone. .CHIAPTER XLV. "You wanted me-so said your messenger I I am here." Monona, when she entered the room and ut- tered these words to Coleefriuas, looked as quiet and innocent as if never a storm had raged in her heart, or a bitter thought emanat- ed from her mind. The pirate chief looked at her intently for a minute or two, without speaking. " Sit down," said he, at last. " Your re- cent exertions must have fatigued you !" "Not at all. One scarcely feels fatigued when they are in pursuit of pleasure" "Then you have been in the pursuit of plea- sure ?" "Yes." "And found it !" "Not yet-but soon expect to do so 1" "When-at midnight, to-night, when yoa light the beacon on the outer point ?" For a moment, the woman's forced compos- ure gave way, and the color left her check, and she trembled ; for she felt that lie had gained some knowledge of her secret. But how, she could not divine; for her boat's crew were sworn by terrible oaths to be true to her, and her only, and they did not know of the ar- rangement to light the beacon. That had been made with Allen alone. But her sterner nature in a moment gave her strength to meet his glance, and she replied: "You speak in words which I do not under- stand!" "'You need not add falsehood to the crime of treachery, madam. I know all of your ac- tions and intentions, and when the Americana t : j , 5 t t fy. F : l page: 66-67[View Page 66-67] OUR MESS; f, come to-night, they will meet a roost fervent welcome. I shall be fully prepared to meet them I" " Very well, sir, 1 give you joy i your prospect. uit as you are lime, I would ad- vise you to make due provision to assist you in running away again ! You are thoughtful, madam. And for fear that harm may come to you before the hour when you are to light the beacon, I will have you place under guard. ' t And as he said this, he made a motion to the men who had been sent by Sjlano, and they at once advanced to seize her. Back-back-lay a hand upon me and you die !" she cried ; and in an intant she changed from the clove into the tigress. Her dark eyes fairly blazed, as she drew a pistol, from her ho- son, and with her back to the wall, confronted the enn, For an instant they hesitated. "Coyvards ! She is but a woman ." said the chief. One of the men sprung forward to seize her. The action was his last, for a ball crashed through his brain crc le had taken two steps forward. The other, with an oath, sprung to seize her before she could draw another wea- pon, but he was too slow. She drew another pistol before he could reach her-fired-and he sunk with a low groan to the floor. "I would serve you as l have thm," she said, bitterly, to Colcefrinas, "if I did not re- serve to myself the hope to see you hanged." "Murderess-you shall die for this I" cried the excited chief. "Seize the she-devil The last order was given to Solano, who, with a guard of men, had hurried in, attracted by the firing. And as they took her unawares, the desperate woman was instantly secured. "Remove her to tla e strong-roomd below- she has slain your comrades, men, and betray- ed us all! I will find a fitting punishment for her," said the chief. Scarcely had they left the room in obedi- ence to the order, with their prisoner ,when Mariana, who had been awakened from slum- ber by the sound of the shots, hurried in. a What is the matter, my master ?" she ask- ed. "Are you in peril? " "It is past, good Mariana, it is past," h said, with a gentle smile. "Do not be dis- turbed, but rest now; for in a little time I shall call my officers to council, and then I shaht need you." The girl glanced at the bodies upon the floor, and knew that the chief had been in peril but she questioned no further. He was safe, and the danger was past. CHAPTER XLV It was wi night; and at the head of the dens column of boats containing the united forced of English and Americans. Allen cautiousl3 approached that part of the coast where Mono ualudpromised to light a beacon which would lead them to the masked entrance to the bay of rendezvous. Another boat close by the side of hiis own, so near that low-voiced words could be heard from one to the other, contain- ed Lord Semour and his chaplain. 'ed eight was not entirely obscure -the moon was up, but drifting clouds moving over the sky caused its light to fall only in patches lure and there upon the earth. "Is it not time that the beacon the woman promised wis alight?" asked Seymour of Al. i-n. "My watch says twelve.,, Mine also," replied Allen "And we are iear the shore. Alh, there the light lashlme. Sne is true to her word." A bright blaze was seen suddenly to spring il)foibunth a bold bluff a little mon the-it p d starboardhn -andby its light thmre seeuimd to be a group of persons stani g there. see- 1bmg a woman's dress, Allen exclaimed :- "It is thi woman and her boats crew. We are all right, and can go on safely' Giving the order to his mea to row on, Al- len steered directly to the point, and the other boats followed. When within a few fathoms of this shore, lie gave orem-un to thme other boats to hi-s upon their oars, while he pulled to the shore to confer with the woman, and learn ho omattersstood ahead. lIe asked Seymour to land wit him. Allemswasma few paces in advance, ands had alminst reached te group - which remained silent and motionless--whichr, with ami exehmuma- tiers of horror, lie stopped. " o rhat is thems atter ?" asked Seymour, hurrying up. hGod of nercy I Look there-we ourselves are in peril, for the pirates are on their guardI" exclaimed Allen. Beth Seymour and his chaplain also paused in horror for a moment, for now they saw why tIe group had been silent and motionless. Emch person-Monona and all of her boat's crew--was dead, and fastened in an erect po- sit )1 tmo stakes. Upon the breast of Monona wasfutened a placard, with these words writ- te-n l in it its letters of blmod n Thms Colcefrin s punislies treason in his own camp! Let e Yankees advance. They will find a earn welcome !" Allen and Seymour for a moment were si- l lent ; then the former said : S "W we ul advance - welcome or not wel- come!t" e Isee no inlet here or hereabouts," said ISeymour. "The lips which would have told us how to steer are silent now." "That is so; but from her previous descrip- tic-n, I feel satisfied that the entrance is very nathspot," said Allen. "We can but look e for it; and if we do not find. it in tme dark, we s need only wait until morning. In truth, now y that they have prepared for us, it seems to mae - that it were no more than prudent if we waited d until we could see what was before"us. i a s r . k i 1 L K } 3 L It FI TlE PIRATE -HUNTERS OF THE GULF. "I agree vitl you there, perfectly," said man, as he took a -pull at his flask to soften th .he Englislim:an. " I like, when I strike, to feelings of the winner uau. see where lmy blow falls ; and if I am struck, " What news, IHarkness?" cried Alln to th to see where the blow cones from. officee commanding te boat, when e ue Allen, after this coincidence in his own opin- np within hail.n ion, (lid not deem it necessary to consult his "I have found the inlet i r"esl)oied offers further ; but gave the order for his officer. " But it is strongly guarded tbmen boats to fall back a few hundred yards, to a planted at batteries ini the turns ; butt can low islhiid of laen- sand which they had passed be flanked overland, I think sr, and the inca but a little while before, and which Monona driven from the gums, when we can go min had deseribld as beimg near the hidden inlet. with the boats without loss."' e g Here the men were allowed to land, and di- "Thanks for the suggestion ' greeted to restuntil further orders. Meanwhile, " We will ist ru tdown tothe inlet, aldlee E l llde of lilit boats were detae retl to ie- how it looks. Comeiute my boat and act as .onoitre along I le shore, and to pIeveit any a pilot, if you please." (lmer of surprise. But the night wore on, The officer obeyed the order ; and imme- 'iril nothing occurred to denote the vicinity of diately after, Allengav the 'lr fr iallmthu men to embark, and leading the eolumin of thee boats abreast, he moved on toi the spot where the officer told Imimm the inlet opened. CIIAPTER XLVI- It was no wonder that they lasseu1 it udis- Ere the (ThV dawmined, the driftmg (-leuds covered so often as they hd, for th swere hilmeunl amid ldarkenied, and a tlini, drizzling within a feuv boats' lengths of they glar raiile tu to fill, aIl(l a turky fog Y aletopening il the cliff here t coulh sen, which ituat((, t hie uast, close- as it wasotulmop though they ~iwere looking for-it. I leamen,y aguei nod inidLit hit.The mnen did not see1s ing u on lie infumaatiumi wIhi h fle Othicum- tu lie in rey hig a1nt fo'- hough the had gained inuafhaeing reerlluloisn(, Allen knew a ihdit was almost e-taimnly boure themn, divided his uenirecting o is, e the weather i was mnot favormable f- um l s g o (Iimrtis, otof powde i. A uildthinglintly iglmt of the sgs ilr the elit ad ( etI o fm-i butel ic- WuII:I u ltiher )00t a cIew mas lustt eries, while le, withitme rest, attacked mnd -athier (mlI eat-I cmii ag ; lfw' they 11a(1 1aom y i- drove theta in ftm-u ,,, Ilie fr osit. 'u i'i ' iour pathy fur tih- etims of the pir:ite ch'f, as h geg ticecomnmaumi of t ll- land-foeyn,:sour tmey'wouM have ha I, had they beni eui ades th luIWbhim wn timst liemtu-anmt-wmi eett of their own, m'i even iilnocent personss who gal ul nanlwhaiilkepteem immmlamid ut Sythme- had not tlhemselves been pirates. Allen w i - naigw k cn tt ynti very gloomyv, andl lie strove in vain to shake l-ea id.e Fth off the felis which; lay like a leaden weight Tie -a-pamties beingOon immtfa rtem -upon his hcait. . Seyiour noticed it, and to advance g u hrp the g der sat ve to cheer h an up- wentatthe'hadve ,t itp thme rugged eliff . strov to emeim- Ii ti hum.We t tiee1mmdy t ar, wit ninmny a nill he er, Take a drop of old cogniae from mimy nmany m hec-m-arty aiim.hSoont cheeIr)mgdits task !" said thie w-irm-hearted Englishmmam. were heard from tlir pimpiti mg ust!shug We wml loni whip these bloody shamrks o-t volleys told that they wci warnly emingd. oftihe r nest, a1nd then you will return to re- "' reward um -ert warm' lyengged. C( ive t -epraises and the smiles of your beau- comes our time !" ered Ahllmmiiiwit Ii0 titmil mi-md- svwmldui m1m-aim thi iime ot elulmm dmshed itil) time "SiVmour," responded the young officer. ar-w emt mmeb e. ash d tmin the I shall never see her agmin. I felt -sulc& met the black n mizles oflamu battery iruwninrg they would lie tite cast when partedt fem her, their very faces, but timediversi tImeigr nave felt it ever since, fe it now! t does saed them front whatmust ihae hemiltter not at allt muan me, Ihouhis it will be I irl - destruction, fur the gun r coIm pltely en ilade thmait reach of i hueehammuel -' 1,immousenuse ! lDanislh such thoigh§, ;:, Bt the gunners hadtm n t hmer omi e, take a mt aie gulls, or imil fled ir onats whi-hmy ham i te ----tliam ki ou m mo t- I acedl u am -iueial r ady to use 1mm case of beim ng P" i l o x-c iamiulanu t 1to rai imy spirits. Ii will be timet treats.b g oc to re- uor is to Ilmnvi J m a few limomen s, aini Im Th'lime boats pressed on, muating timmum after oun wil s- mu 1s cheerful as vn T-e tin, each of w' ich wa ge l amiedlbyr a ebat moi s t me ou-t, w hlich I last su ; out to try fery, but fio nm all nf awhichi -lie- (mien lId buem mid disr 'ezt m +im1t.i,_t_, m 1 w tIe ly diven by Seymanuir's dashing aft tmmuk,imutil at ' niu cei m~ tm ~ i m e to be 5 i mi.,st they _ca mse t tu i )ul (i m a' otlfum m whi :t-,aim-I iam , I hoee, d coeelWit:' le thmey could Seetime ihums -hmns'Imumoit"hiits C1u- ;s m-is iii'' lii mll drawn u1u Pluruamude1 It the se, with e lor riu lians tr e i r eo tt eddl'glimisouerird to umliw 4 f.=1():v Cia-emciii and thlrough,"' said the noble- with their deadly conatents. Leavinlgbts tofE page: 68-69[View Page 68-69] TH J s I Al IINr~ FT1 E GULF. ; OUR MESS; OR, take i - the parties which had acted so gallant- and shouted : " Forward, Americans-for n r 1on the latnd, Alln made scarce a moment's and avenge your leader !" they falted no long- puse now, but dashed on as rapidly as pos- er. o siblen , With one united cry for revenge, they pres- Scarcely had e reached the open water ed forward, and the. remainder of the irates when the aire of the whole piratical line began to yield. Colcefrinas was agail wound opened upon him, and a battery in front of ed, and twice was almost in the hands of his the hoe y the main flag-staff on shore, foes. But Mariano, with her long, black har poured in a t herihle fire. streaming in the air, her dark eyes flashing pOred m abrrbe boys-on-the blood-thirsty fire, and her dress half-woianish, yet partial-, fiends shall pay treble for every drop of ly such as she had worn when acting as page, blood t eyshed' " e shouted, as standing p each time dashed in lke a tigress before hi, in his boat, he urged his staunch oarsmen and beating hack the astonished Americans, onward. rescued him from their hands. At° lat the "nworward, for God and the holy Saint pirates were pressed into his house as a last George !" cried the brave chaplain. resort; and thither they wo ul havebeen fel- Ge !nwar arind t the deuce take him that's lowed, had not the builuig, in a moment after, hindmot ! a cried the gallant Seymour. been shattered into a thousand fl'agment, by And tleughw an after man fell dead at his the exp sion of a mine beneath i.. a nds, suit the sh t fell like hail among them, Seymour and the re nmaindher f the officers the boa tles id swiftly on in the face of the supposed that Coleefinas and the reit of his deadly lire, e not sauin to return it, but seek- band, rendered/ti pelss by the deperat ion of ing ly fieto come puha ott band with the their situation, har theinelv dciiesitroy'ed there scourges htc fore theit. building and petrished in its ruins. Aleii, still standing up in his boat, con- Not so. By a safe avenue, all that had Apicuous for his courage and but too good a survived the terrible sluh50r mnthe ve-Sels irkouslfo his courang figure,still led and on the beach, iiwn: a&d 1bd ly MarunuO, the va , his c omar mvoCe heard plainly above were hastening unseen to t heir i i i tron hold the rail c of f'earrcs and the dash of lun.g- in the mountains, hearing wit tli o hi,di- the oar. Stevr as well as other of the abled chief, who with his win land hl itred' officers. etuhoi they could not but admire his the train that blew his houe mi ) tie an reckless, ourg , begged him not to expose the smoke anl dut co m l-tely hiig them, him self s o le ; but lie did not heed their and thus sec ring their rre t a enrelto mue. Finding no more riistance, th at tacking e Ont- one-at nssthe cursed fiends from force now coipltd their wiork i deIructi , the face o in - ti,' was hiseiy. destroying every lo t and imnlthig, lpik in thex face olye arhainisg erboats dashed the g~imsihichm hadi dhill s- much danmaci Drav e lynol t earantial boats, and thou-h and cutting down every tree wlieli bore fruit. they wtre dcned with the sternness of dle- Then ilently and satly l gath-red togetl- / hpanr, the Auilericami swept down the pirates er thiir deal, an preiparei toreturn tio hemr like grain br, irt e esickle of the reaper. vesels. They liiI otnquere I tih tnemy, de- like g ta t e at e back - step ' y step , troy id their 'v e - Is, an dl tti ly desolated firint -rt i ie they were forced to a bn their rendezvo s ; .n d as theiy su ippos , sc - fot it. And rteii conquerors were Clots pletely aniiiitat ed them ibi th in etory had t lto follow them over a wiall of betn dearly won. fire. e i t a ti i d n ot pause for sm oke c' T h e m ost of t hI e whiolie fell o i h i . fames wt i hat not stopped for the showers of and American side wer, ithi bri 1 f t s lmx ironmnd of lead,h ht on with thirsty steel itn ceremony, buried on the rsr tii nith ire b I - th eir n a nd o th ey e 1 ru ig . in g le ft as th e y ell, t ro t it t i tt s t e Alltei hal a hlst gained the shore, where earth with their bones. oleefiminn laiiaisel leading his men, forgetful l unt the r mai s .t 'it n nd l b a u i oleenai, ratg like a wromded lion, eveii in death, wereeit'fly iil' n up iad of his wound, amagingl, laid ii his boat, ith 1h cut ry's h fori a "ouht. r -itblow with you, and I am pall anm rowed by his sor.ns rei w ii eri ci content"I' shouted Allen, as lie saw him. carried hack to ti e hta of t he coliiiii ulnh et . si oC ot'ds were the last that ever he hal led, so that ii his w weil I.n1:emight -i u' i tiered. While vet his taunt- have the sad sati lenon in snui-nce tot cot his ori e run -.g out sip the ait', and iee Col- him whom shte hha Ilivi t sot I1, and who ceftin oiesd rt-eak uh reply the fatal bullet had fallen while yet the sunli ht O bii was from asilli u ritilomt hand sped on its co use warm upon his brow . ad ithe n l ar 'if -the da , the gallant Allei, fell - -1 forward i hli eiioied sand-a o'pse.AP i h II. F oratt to th . i iimoen appalled with; their It was amoit night Wih " he returning ho( soil le ,If-tiickeim. fatteied and fell back ; boats reached the \"tssti. N\itoii ilvfeel- but when tcymour lifted him'fromi the earth, ings and tender scnits , h-K ntand the I- chapin, Mr. Moilaunt, lpreedied thl heat, which coitaied the body of poor Allen snme distance, to endeavor to break the news of hbe' gallant husband's untimely fall, as gentle as possible, to pioor Maraquita. To their utter surprise, they found that lady aated im the eabin, calm and quiet, but with the pallor of death on her cheek, which was made more visible by the dress which she wore. It was black. She had already donned the. robes of mourning. She smiled gently, but oh, how sadly ! iis they cautme im, and in a low tone said, as she motioned their to seats . You are hind. .-You come to speak words of consolation t o the widow ! You need not shake your heads-----it is not mercy, for I know alL- I saw hiim when he fell-i knew he never would return !" The officers thought that her reason hid left 'her, for shincould not have known positively of the fall of lie husband. But mysterious in- iluenees somtimes bea' to us the knowledge of great nsorrows. And so there had come 'to lier soae ispiritl unaeen--but felt-perhaps hia own-whvich whispered to her heart, that thence- torth it must bat alone. ISgher o calm, the chaplain thought that he miht u'er a few words of consolation consonant wi the duties of his holy rofe s- " sion, amidul 'mintd to do' so. 'But she did not seen to 1ed d- words. " Wh' do tr hy not bring him to me ?" she a sid. " I wai _i look noon his pae fte I B rium hiiito tnt' qmeikly !",. .. - leeyamiur lft tlhe cabin, and tears were cours- imgj d0,n the blrmve man's cheeks, for lie had never sen agri-et ll still aud so very pitiful as hers. ail ihi shrilked and sobbedmid torn lie himr, thie nolicne of.her demonstrations wtoutl " have de.,tmryd the intensity of its effect upon the Wieml -.-bitntt s hutsorrow, there was an utt-er i aanmn an intensity of desolation mo'r pot.s iit n-ty ibs and tears. - leymlour ;nit, the men, who were carefully- is tiod- r- -al theiralmost idolied con- unzntier ore lgnu-h. Too muchagitted to semak, lti mdn'd to flue eabii and lid the wayi lhei nO -'y was iacarried in and laid down upon thtr mi c st, where it life hie 1had sat' by her i+, and i told her 'low eitirely his heart was hi o . -i W thm i- e It 3 lcls, nhijlt toll that the v :- f o -1s-f b -i heati- were burned dry Iy t r'tlo of th terrible sorrow which -ha I. eItnly otS upon he, the s teicka a li( w t kelt downi v the ideLof th- ,l and raistug tie a g froitm over (the pil ffue; k, irr 10 t, nderly. A roudsnil- at'mdto rest upntiit the' ft res, for thLe ill haIt pr sle his hiteirt li elad died s studnly that no exprs - ,inii of Iiin had time to fret- upon hi3 face. He is rery handsome ? l)o't you ftink I so? very hanomhoic I" she-siiin a low, plain- ti' tone, which went home to every heart that heard it, and which brought tears to ev- cry eye there. " This is our bridal night I" she aid, after a pause. And then she shivered as with cold, and rose and stood for a moment as if listening. -1I hear the glad cathedral bells ?" she murmured. " Come love-come !" and she reached out her hand as if to lead him with her. The next instant, though, she reeled and fell, so stiff and cold that all thought her dead. But Doctor O'Shaughnessy, who had been wee ping like a child, sprung to her aid, and found that she was only in a swoon-her overstrained spirit had not strength to sustain her body. Restoratives were used, and she was borne to her couch, while it was decided by the oil- ceas now in conuuand to take the vessel at once to Matanzas, where, if the lady desired, she could be restored to her father. Amid the intention of Allen to go there in- sni:c the "i Plot " was nott forgotten. 'W hen thef;Almai1u ~ , s e-mme by the Mids.t 'tehiI the hurler N is, they found iha ihEy iWerei a few hours tlO late to capture the supposed pirate. S lwhad either finished her repairs sooner tlmati was ins- ticipated, or gone to sea with sonie of them left undone ; for, much to the surprise and chagrin of the cnsulsi-Iho supposed he was keeping a close wateh upon her--she slipped off and went to sea, or somewhere out of sight, during the night previous to the arrival of the pirate-hunting fleet. The people of Maftanzas seemed to be really glad to hear of the destruction of the pirates. Perhaps they were. And the Marquis de Regh, it need not be doubted, was glad ; for Coleefrinas had beome to him more than a te 'ror: and the report of the Americans was, like their belief, that Colcefrinas was slain- had perished in the explosion. Nor did the marquis mourn for the death of Allen, because he bore no good-will to the. Americans as a natition ; but he did grieve sin- cerely at the condition in which his daughter had come back to himm: for, as we have said more thami once in this story, he loved her with all the love that was in his nature. She had beco-me-or, in fact, had been-from the hour when her husband's bosdy was brought to her, harmlessly, hopelessly, pitifuly insane. It swas amnost heut-reirding to hear her talk. Faneying at one time that lie was by her side, she woui address him in the fondest and most endearing terms. 'Then again, seeming to think him temporarily absent, she would plead in tearful agony for him to come back to her. Still again, serming to see him in the red me- lee of a terrible fight, she would throw up her armis, and shriek to heaven to'save him ; and in that mood she would fall away into eon- vls ins, which barely left her alive i " x F t p f. F e page: 70-71[View Page 70-71] TIlE PIRATE-IIUNTERS OF TIlE GULF. She hid to be watched constantly, lest she should destroy herself. And most hard of all, to her father, she did not recognize him. Nor' did she seem to remember any of her old friends, when they came to see her. Two per-- sons only could get rational replies from her - these two were the only ones whom she would call by name : one was Lord Seymour, who had become very deeply interested in her ; the other was his chaplain, Mr. Mordaunt. Seeming to recognize them as her husband s last friends on earth, she appeared to be fond of their society, and was ever child-like cr1d gentle when they were with her. But dilly would not permit of their lengthened stay in port ; for soon, though terrible their ciastis- nienit had been of the pirates, reports of new outrages along the Coast cane to their ears; and they found that the pirates, instead of ho- ing utterly extermiiated, were yet numerous, and qven powerful on the coast. 'Thierefore, both the English and American men-of-war were soon off igrin to renew their exertions to destroy the destroyers. (JIAPTERt XLIX. [t was nigl t-some brief time after poor Maraquita Iad!been brought to her home, and her father sat with her in is favorite sitting- room, whiither lihe had her brought a often is he could, in hopes that time, and his presence, and tender kindness, niglit work some chnrige in her condition of mind. her state had so worn his heart, that iii the few days which had elapsed, the weight of ranny years seemed to have aecumiulated upon his head. " Poor child !--poor child !" he uttered. sa-- ly, as he looked upon his yet very beautiful auihter, whose face, though pale, was a thou.- sand times Iiore spiritual now than it hirad ever' been, and whose n'itii'e apu)peairaiie rwasu ns nearly akin to what p(oet would term anu elial as it could be. P Poor child I poor child !", c Who is poor ?" she murmured-' who is poor ? No one thit loves is poor ! My love and I are rich" "tOh I curse - curse even the meory itof holcefrinas !" said the unhnppv father. '' IIad it e not beerr for that wretch, iy child ilmgn r have been happy; and 1 not the nier hi'he- inu that I am! Curses-a thousand curses on the name of ColeefrinasI" Old mian, you should iot curse ino loudly when the devil is at your elbow I" said a voice but too well known to )e legla ; ind iihe groniied in agony, as he turned and saw hum whom he might now well deciii an enemy -tanding before ihin.4 "Can hell yawn and throw up that widel belongs to it I'' groaned the marquis. " You thought me dead, and yours-if fr -- 'rnr your engagements, did you not P erie Coieeirinas, with a sneer. - Ieeuse a- fea 'arikees, hacked by the English, :'natined slight alvaitage over mue, you supposed tha Coleefrinas and his power was crushed ! You are mistaken,'ancient comrade-widely mis- taken. I am yet afloat ; and 'twill be long b - fore I strike my flag! Long !-long! Do yois hear me ? Why do you stand all agape ? Pm no ghost, but real fksh and blood as the ves- sels off your coast begin to learn. I shall reap a rich harvest, now that the Yankees have boasted that they have exterminated the pi- rates ! Their vessels will no longer f ar to sight our coasts until I've talkn enough of them to make them feel that.I am yet alive. It's rare sport, this man-hiiittog-rare sport ! I see that von have your pretty daughter back again. Black becomes her. I um glad that I helped to dress her so becomingly. So ho, Seiiorit a Martqiuita, how are you" And the rude l)irate stroke up to her, and reached out his hand, as if he would touch her. "Villain ! lay but a finger on my child- but touch her person wit ih your polutig hand -and Ill slay you like a dog, as you are .'' slhtoultedI the father, recov-eiilig the presence of min(luahich the sudden entrance of the )irit had deprived him of. I .ave the room and t: e palace instantly--leave it, or your fate is sealed!" 1(" Lit hinstay. I ant to talk tto lui Is not this the butcher that Iw-i my lamb ' asked Maraquita, who bail heen lookmg at the pirate steadily ever sines ie entered, and act- iog as if she were, trying to arouse herself from tsomre dream. " ' ho are you, man-a w bo are yuiou - S-lie went up to him and lai d ler thin hand upon hi shoulder, and looked li noso steadily im the face that his brazen iriprdrice shrunk from thier look, and le aetirally cowered Ie- neat i her dazzling eye. ' \\h hyto you not speak . ou iue the forn of a man, but you shitke arid tremble. ?Jeni niieer taerimble- v lv doe siot trern- ble-. IUo is brave: yoo ir a o rd.i - This is well put on 1'-said ilie pir-ate; Syol ire a good anet r s, Mraquita. lirt coie witha lre :you have be oedaway fr m m too long. (nore with me, my opret. y Aid he pasd hi-s arrmr ironid her slender- waist. I.ike a lrrs. of lighting lenipiig ofru a cloud flew the svrd oh h r itirfat mlit -un its scabbard ; and it woull i' a bren is dI-for'- (loleefriins could draw hisiihht -hie arid and up- on guard, had not the poo r iina c v'jrl, with t a vehement gesturilii irt niktIre ..I ' I)o riot slay hrioi !' s -arid. um irius t nt lay him. It isia-il ii uii t' bok o rate uMn ri must not a lin. is is not th' piens where Ire musiitn bIe. I Isha:, a grand lit, full f -Welt, and gil 1, anidI l'eantiful 1 things. I havesetni i (i! it waw rrainid-- V e'ryV au' . I we i i qein iit h r . a id stall be arain mi eali 'aid fiul. Cert.- t with me-come !" "Yes, I will go with you-yes--yes--vs! I will go with you." And she retreated step by step in froiit of the pirate, motioning her almost pa'rilyzd father hack as she went. The wretheud marquis stood for a moment as if spell-bound, and then, with a wild cry of agony, stepped but a single step forward, and fell senseless to the floor. When loe reeovered his senses, his startled servants were aronul him, but his daughter was not there. ie asked where she was, but no one knew. Ard when he spoke of Colce'- frinas having carried her off, they thought that he was ravig i; or report told everywhere that the pirate was dead, and no one ha seen a stranger in the palace, or been a witness s the departure of Maraquita -who had been priio0 - )ly led away through sonie secret passage known to the pirate ; for-all of the old Spanish buildings abounded in such. toast that you all can drink I Fill, each one- fill to the brim." "What is that ?" asked Maraquita. And she pointed to the head of a serpent, rudely carved, appearing to be a singular ornament to the back of the kind of dais, or throne on which he sat. " My guard, pretty one-my guard I 'Is it not, my men ?" Some of them turned pale, and others laughed, as he asked the question. They knew well what it was, and that a match ap- plied to the mouth of that serpent would fire a train which would blow them all into atoms. "Yes, yes-I have eard of it before," she said. " With it you hold, indeed, a kingly lpowver in your hands-the power of eatli." And she smiled-smiled so stranrey that it was wonderful that he had no thought of the fire in her brain and heart which was now all ablaze. 0 rl nns.. t n-. rrit4 'a -t .Y.. 1,, " l~ u jiliiy~l' oni,*n ('l L.eiedqueen-your toast, In then grandest hall of his cavern frastngess, -rged. Colcefrninas heild fEativail. With vet a' hundred .ii Slowl she rose ; ard lifting tre golen cup x1hrleft hurud, ushule her nrighit s'i-s-rind to be followers left, anl hihii'iart moredfill of bitter-inhure sly lying wit her rihltseerilteilnob ness towrid al i imkiind tthan it had ever been cyd before, he hand connuitted several terrible out- jeweled dagger which adorned her belt, sh' rages on vessels and their hapless crews which raised it, and as she looked Coleefrins in thu had fallen inuto hisrhands along the coast, and she said made his nune doubly a terror- on the seas "Idrimk to my ded husband. Murderer, And now, havInn returned from his daring visit go you to seek him." And as she but touched to Matanzas wiihth e daughter of the Marquis her hs to the glass, she ditr the agger- iith de Regla in his power, he determined to hav her other hmnd, and drove it to the very hilt that which his sensual men were ever read in his breast. hen, before a word, except tra freayt hone cry of horror, could be uttered, or a hand for-ri fi I.,srece otht rvntl r Mariuna was there as well as Maraquita and stretched forth to prevent hur, the brave girl both were dr ssed' iitiin afstyle sswhichi 'q u'eens sseizeind a lighted lamp and tonched the fatal might have enild. -Thir forms blazed with train. With a wdd cry of d-spar,sine of the jewels. Andu ir iwer'e more lovely forms s rnen sprung from their, eats-otheersnd seemed ichly adorned. Marraquita, who seemed to rooted the-. Burt not teis secondsh elapsed, have fully recovered her senses-thourgh to be ri-ei toh wacicic other; vandwithan soenmor with hrii, a mrdlr'er' andI wretch, usere a proof rison metac other; lnd wmitha rsun tor of insrinrity-seemied to ue rnore his favorite crashing t h gether, burying wealth and mortality all in one one sat on his right ando thre other on his .leftterribleheap. Colcefrinmias and his bnrd were at the bnnqruet-tmhl-the wild heart of Ma- now, indeed, swept from the face of the earth -riana did not seem to beat with jealousy. Sire -poor Allen as bravely avenged. even srm id on Maraquita, and spoke kind - words to her. The latter quite as pale as when last'we saw A few days after, while the Marquis de her, and yeti more ethereal, said, as Colcefrinas Regha lay uponi Iris bed, near the point o death, filled a ildeu cuijp of wine for her: a 'disfigured and shattered forms-was brought You have given this banquet in honor of to hiss ide. It was all that was left of poor me, have yornrot, Colcefrinas " M iaragta, who, surviving, had crept fronm the " Yes, iovely one-yes ; you are the queen ruins of the pirate's treasure-house, that she of the night ; and from your lips must come might tell heer'father that his enemy was dead, the first toast of the evening. Fill, men ; fill anid be buried by the side of her husband. to the brim, for a pirate-queen will give you a' Reader, 1 have done.. 0 'r " 4 71 70 i i .{ !+ 6 4 1 {'" U cam- S ' f r f S( '3 OUR MESS ; OR,
