•V*, 5. *V&, 5. # ^■ST £NCf „ %i The Oceaa Cloud in FUiaea. THE TRACK OF FIRE. -►»— •-■♦■•— »« IEW YORK: IRWJN P. BEADLE i.ioenj I?KSCRirTIOS OF THt QUEEN KALOTA. Slie was about twenty-two years of age. above the medium lie i and possessed a stately step, and a form as straight as the palm t that shaded her isle. Her complexion was a dark olive: her • black and small, though piercing in their glances, and shining i an unvarying, diamond-like lustre. Her cheeks were stained a 1 red, as was her large neck and shoulders, and her full, nuked boa Her hair was long, bushy, and frizzled, and arranged gron with ribbons and shells. The lobes of her ears were enormoil distended with holes, in which were suspended an immense pai ear-rings. The expression of her countenance was repulsive, | indicative of strong animal passions. Her dress was a compronj between the simplicity of the native Feejeean costume and the I ropean attire, being composed of a short silk skirt, of a bright si let hue. edged with a heavy silken fringe which fell to her bl knees ; a pair of gaily embroidered shoes, and a loose open jacW which revealed, rather than concealed, the upper half of her persll -What you say to-day, Capt. Linn ?" asked Kalota, in very toll A able English, she having learned a good deal of the language frd the missionary, in order to render herself more agreeable to her cl durate captive. " The same as before and always." replied the captain. A Rcowl passed over the queen's face, but she instantly assumed sntiie meant to be tender and persuasive, and approached him. •• i make you one more offer," she said, putting iter arms aroun him and caressing him. " i make you king, and you be my husbaJ 1 love you, and give you everything you want — eh. (apt. Linn ?" The eager, rapturous expression on her countenance disgusted o hero, and he freed himt-elf from her encircling arms, saying: - Von had better go home, Kalota, and marry one of your o\. kind. I have got some one else to love me, and 1 love her. 1 ca noj many you !" A look of fiendish jealousy appeared on the face of the gava beauty, and she said : "Ah! you love iiother woman! Is she pr< ;ty as me?" Man-Eaters will be issued Feb. 1.5th, 1864. IRWIN P. BEADLE & Co., PUBLISHER8, '^7 Vv ill tain Street, New York. THE '-/ f I TRACK OF FIRE ; on, er< A Cruise with ite Pirate Semmes. •rv ;,J . 5 A CHRONICLE OF STARTLING ADVENTURES ON THE OCEAN. By CAPTAIN WHEELER, U. S. A. Author of " The Web of Fate," "Running the Blockade," 11 The Seceet Destroyer," &c, &c, ...■ I! • :! i si -' NEW YORK: IRWIN P. BEADLE & CO., PUBLISHERS, 137 William Street. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 18C3, By IRWIN P. BEADLE <& CO. In the Clerk's Office of the District Conrt of the United States for the Southern District of New York T. R. DAWLEY, ELECTROTYPES, 13 PARK ROW, N. Y. THE TRACK OF FIRE. CHAPTER I. capt. semmes and his lieutenant — the burning ship — the " Alabama" awaiting her prey ! Late one j>leasant evening, about the middle of Septem- ber, 1863, the famous piratical cruiser Alabama was lying in Table Bay, in front of Cape Town, thirty miles north of the Cape of Good Hope. Her commander, Capt. Raphael Semmes was leaning over her bulwarks, on the inshore side, looking towards the town and peaks of Table Mountain, which rise so precipitously above it. The history of Capt. Semmes, his personal characteristics, etc., are too well known to the world at large to require mention in these pages. " Lieutenant Murlick," he said, suddenly turning to an officer passing near him, " when shall we make that little trip ashore ? To-night?" '" If you think best, Capt. Semmes," replied the person addressed, as he paused beside his superior. " If the Fed's hunt us through the Indian ocean, as they have hunted us in the Atlantic, we had certainly better have the specie safely stowed away behind us." " Just so ! Get out a boat, and come to the cabin, and we'll set about it. We will not take any of the men with us !" Lieut. Murlick hastened to comply with this order. He was one of the most villainous-looking men it is posr sible to imagine. He was about forty-five years of a^e. with gr:'as£]y hair and beard, with front teeth showing like a rutV;. with sniall 4 THE TRACK OF FIRE ; and twinkling eyes, which were full of cold-blooded selfish- ness and cruelty, and his visage was characterized by the most evil and repulsive expressions. Xaturc had originally written villian on his countenance, and every event of his life had set this seal deeper and deeper upon it. " That will do, boys," he said, after a couple of seamen had lowered a boat by his orders. " You can go. The captain and I are merely going to take a little row by our- selves on the bay !" He fastened the boat under the steamers quarter, and entered the cabin. . The watch on deck paid but little attention to these proceedings, and the officers .and men off duty had mostly turned in, leaving the cabin to the two confederates. " There are four of the boxes, Murlick," said Semmes, who was bringing out some small iron chests, with handles, from his state- room — " two for you, and two for me. We shall want a couple of spades, and it may be well to take a dark lantern !" The iron chests, which appeared to be very heavy, were placed in the boat, and the two men were soon rowing leisurely towards the northern side of the bay. The two chests belonging to Capt. Semmes contained gold. The contents of the other two were chiefly silver. This money had been saved by the two men from the captures of specie they had made in the Alabama. "With a wise prevoyance, they had resolved on placing it where it would not be exposed to the hazards of war. " We can't be expected to risk our lives for nothing, Murlick," observed Capt. Semmes when the boat was out of hearing from the steamer. " If the Confederacy becomes a fixed fact, she will not need this money. If she fails, we cannot very well get along without it !" Murlick muttered his assent to these views. Set) " I hope I have been liberal with you added, Semmes — "giving you tWQcty thousand dollars **f - this secret fund. OR, A CRUISE WITH THE PIRATE SEMMES. 5 and reserving to myself forty thousand. I believe that's about the lion's share," and he laughed. " I think that we have managed the whole affair so that our brother officers do not suspect us. As to the men, they've had no chance, of course, to see what we are doing!" Thus conversing, the two men reached the shore of a lonely creek shaded by thick bushes, and stunted trees, in a retired part of the bay, on the northern side, three miles from the town. They went ashore, looking around, and came to the con- clusion, that no one beside themselves was stirring in that region, all being stiil. It was now near midnight. The brilliant moon-light and star-light — the quiet waters of the bay — the heights of the neighboring mountains — the sleeping town — the solitude of the shore near them — all the features of the scene were full of a weird tropical beauty. " Of course, we have every faith in each other," remarked Semmes, as he landed. " Of course — of course !" " At the same time, each had better keep his own secret. Thus, while I go westward along the shore, with my two boxes of specie. You may go eastward with yours — there's a shovel apiece — you can bury yours at any place you may select after getting out of my sight, and I will do the same with. mine. In thirty minutes more or less, w T e will meet at this spot !" Murlick again muttered his assent, and the two men sepa- rated, each going his appointed way, and taking a spade and his chests of money with him. Semmes was the first fto return to the boat, but was speedily joined by his lieu- tenant. " In this way," said Semmes, " we shall have no fears nor apprehensions of each other, let what will happen. You do not know where I have buried my money, nor do I know where you have buried 3 7 ours. And now that the job is off our hands we will breathe more freely !" 6 THE TRACK OF FIRE J # They seated themselves in the boat and pushed off, returning to the steamer. " We have made the Cape our head-quarters long enough," observed Semmes to Murlick, when the}* were again at their case in the cabin of the Alabama. " It has doubtless been generally reported to the federal cruisers where we are.' We must go up to the Bay of Bengal. Between here and there, if fortune favors me, I will destroy every United States vessel we may encounter. Every night shall witness a grand ship-burning. The East-Indian route shall be a perfect track of fire, illuminated by the conflagration of the ships we capture !" " Good. I approve of a general destruction. It's sheer folly to take bonds from vessels, and let them go. The collection of those bonds is too many generations distant. The true way is to sink, burn and destroy !" An hour later, the Alabama was standing out of Table Bay, headed towards the Cape, on her way to the East- Indian waters. The following forenoon, when off Algoa Bay, she captured an East- Indiaman, the Ceres, of Boston, homeward bound with a valuable cargo. Several other vessels were boarded during the &:,y, but they proved to be English or French, and were not molested. When the shades of night had again enveloped the scene, the steamer was hove to, and the Ceres fired, as a decoy to any merchantmen which might be sailing in those waters. Semmes had saved her until this hour for this purpose, in accordance with his usual modus operandi. As the flames, kindled in the cabin and hold of the doomed ship, reached the deck, and commenced climbing the masts and shrouds, the Alabama withdrew beyond the glare of the conflagration, and became motionless on the water. Grim and silent as well as threatening, she lay just with- out the circle illuminated by the burning ship, and waited and watched for her prey! OR, A CRUISE WITH THE PIRATE SEHJ1E3. 7 CHAPTER II. FALLING INTO THE TRAP. The decoy ship of Capt. Scmines had not been vainly lighted. Within a few leagues of the meridian reached by the Alabama, a stately clipper-ship was standing eastward, with a gentle breeze, and all her sails drawing. She was the Ocean Cloud, of Boston, homeward bound, with a cargo of hemp, indigo, coffee and pepper. On the deck of the vessel, looking thoughtfully out upon the sea. stood a gentleman, whose bearing was at once commanding and prepossessing — Mr. Jacob Yale, for many years a prominent merchant of Boston. He was the owner of the vessel. lie had lately retired from active business, afflicted with ill-health, brought upon him by too close application to his multitudinous affairs, and his physician had recommended a sea-voyage, which he had accordingly taken. The expression of Mr. Vale's face was sadly thoughtful, and he frequently sighed. " Twenty years ago to-night, since my poor boy disap- peared," he at length ejaculated, half unconsciously. " fe he yet living? Shall I ever sec him ?" A yo".ng lady came out of the cabin, and put her arm through Mr. Vales, saying : '• Dear father, you slipped away from me unnoticed!" As indicated by her words, she was the daughter of the retired merchant. Her name was Ethel. She was about eighteen years of age, gentle and unaffected, with a remark- ably well-balanced character, a rare degree of intelligence, and a cultivated mind. Her eyes were dark, and beamed with spirit and tenderness, her complexion was of a pale brunette tint, and her lips wero red like coral. She was graceful and winning, and was as lovely in her disposition as in person. 8 THE TRACK OF FIRE | " I thought you wouldn't be lonely in the society of Capt. Willis," replied Mr. Vale, pressing the radient girl to his heart : TRACK OF FIRE ; " This places us in an awkward position," was our hero's comment. "Still, I Think that this man has not influence nor authority enough to harm us. Capt. Semmes has the reputation of being aa much of a gentleman as his profes- sion will allow him to be, and we may hope that he will not permit his subordinate to molest us. Moreover, there may be something Providential in your meeting. The mystery respecting the disappearance of your son may be cleared up. If your suspicions are well-founded, the fact will natu- rally appear in this man's deportment !" The captives spent some time in conversing upon this subject, and then retired for the night. They slept but little, and were stirring at daylight. At the breakfast-table they met Lieut. Murlick, who glanced at Mr. Vale and our hero,. and bestowed a long and searching look upon Ethel, the effect of which was to bring a singular glean of admi- ration to his eyes. The repast was nearly concluded, and Capt. Semmes himself had retired from the table, When the villian leaned forward and said to the merchant : " We were enemies, Mr. Tale, years ago, but the circum- stances under which we meet would disarm all bitterness, if I felt any. While you remain here, we can be civil !" "Just so, sir," replied Mr. Vale, understandingly. "You have my thanks for your consideration !" The prisoners went on deck after breakfast, and Capt. Willis paid his men a visit, assuring himself that they were as comfortable as they could be in the close and filthy hold into which they had been thrust. They were mostly in irons, and the subordinate officer in charge of them remark- ed, that, Semmes always treated his prisoners in this manner, to prevent them from rising against him and his crew and seizing the steamer. The Alabama had already renewed her hunt foi American vessels, and had a couple of seamen aloft scouring the sur- face of the ocean with glasses. By the middle of the fore- noon a couple of sails were announced, but one of them proved to be a British trader, and the other a Dutch man-of- war. It wa3 not till near nightfall that Semmes encountered TELE OCEAN CLOUD IN FLAMES. OR, A CRUISE WITH THE PIRATE SEMME3. 17 a prize, a New York bark, fresh from Manilla with one-third of a cargo of East Indian productions. As usual, the Con- federates fired the vessel soon after dark, and waited for the decoy to bring other victims to them, but none came. The following day Semmes shaped his course for Mauri- tius, and kept a strict lookout for prey, but nor a single Ame- rican ship was encountered. It was natural, perhaps, that he should feel chagrined at this ill-luck. During these two days Lieutenant Murlick had made a pretence of being busy, and had not uttered any further re- marks to Mr. Vale. The suspicious and anxious father had Ho trouble, however, in observing that the evil eyes of his enemy remained fixed on Ethel every instant she was on deck or otherwise visible. The third day proved more auspicious to Capt. Semmes, quite a fleet of vessels encountering the steamer. The most of these ships were foreign, or under foreign flags, but three of them were American, two belonging in Boston, and one in New York, " This looks like doing busineas," said Semmes to Murlick as they were superintending tli£ preparations for a grand conflagration of the vessels, one after another. " These three ships and their cargoes, with the trifle of specie we'vo taken, must be worth near a million of dollars !" Again Semmes lighted up his track with a huge fire, and waited in the background for an additional victim, but he was again disappointed. " The fact is," he commented, regarding the smouldering and sinking hull of the last vessel, " our fame has preceded us to these waters, and the Yankees are cautious. If they see or fires they steer clear of them !" In two of these latest captures there had been several lady passengers, enough te fill up'every state room in the cabin that was not wanted by the officers of the steamer. Capt. Semmes accordingly concluded, after a conversation with Lieut. Murlick, to send Mr. Yale and Capt. Willis below. ,; Perhaps the young lady will object to being separated from her friends," suggested Murlick 18 THE TRACK OF FIRE ; " She'll have to do as the rest of the women do," replied Semmes. " It's no place for her down there, that's certain 1 You'll see to this transfer at once !" As Murlick turned away, a look singularly expressive of satisfaction appeared on his visage. " That is a step in the right direction," he muttered. " I wanted to get them separated !" He entered the cabin, where Mr. Vale was conversing with Ethel and Capt. Willis. " I am sorry Mr. Vale to be the bearer of bad news to you," he said, bowing politely, and speaking in tones of pretended sympathy," but Capt. Semmes has ordered you to be confin- ed with your men in the hold !" A general expression of regret followed. Ethel cciuld not restrain her tears. " What is the cause of this proceeding, Lieutenant Mur- lick ?" asked the merchant. " It's merely owing to the want of accommodations. Those ladies who fell into our hands this afternoon want all the room there is in the cabin!" " Then I can go below with my father," said Ethel advanc- ing, and addressing herself directly to Murlick. u I do not wish to be separated from my friends !" " Sorry, Miss Vale, as I said," rejoined the Lieutenant' again bowing, " but the orders of Captain Semmes are ex- plicit. He cannot allow you in the hold, for it is already ' packed to overflowing." ' ; And yet you expect my father and Captain Willis to go there ?" " Oh, they're men, and can do as the rest do, but I assure you that the hold is no place for a woman. You had better take the matter quietly. In a day or two some change for the better will probably be made !" The trio talked the proposed movement over among them- selves, and Mr. Vale finally went on deck, and appealed to Capt. Semmes. The Confederate Commander gruffly replied that he could not revoke the orders that ho had given to his executive officer. ^ OR, A CRUISE WITH THE PIRATE SEMMES. 19 " What would you have me do ?" he concluded, some- what petulantly. " You cannot in reason expect me to do better by you. With such a number of prisoners as are now in our hands, we cannot be too guarded. You will have the goodness to go below, sir. As to your daughter, she shall be treated as well as our means will permit — as well as any of the ladies we have taken !" Mr. Yale returned to his daughter, announcing the result. Ethel gave way to her emotions, expressing her opinion of the captors in plain terms. " I do not wish to seem harsh," observed Murlick, in the same quiet and hypocritical tones in which he had before spoken, " but I must remind you that other duties are press- ing upon me, and that I am waiting to show you the way to the hold !" He turned away, moving towards the entrance, but took good care to note the particulars of the scene that followed — the tender parting of Ethel from her father and Capt. Willis. The emotion with which she took the hand of the latter, and laid her head on his breast, gave the scheming confederate a very just idea of the feelings existing be- tween the young couple, and brought a deadly gleam to his eyes. " Be brave, my daughter !" whispered Mr. Yale, embrac- ing her. '• These days of trial will soon be over!" The parting was saddening, and Ethel could not restrain her tears, but — her mind once made up to the hopelessness of attempting resistance or asking for mercy — she comport- ed herself in the most resolute manner. With a tender and affectionate leave-taking, the merchant and the young cap- tain followed Murlick to the hold. '• As I remarked," said the lieutenant, " we are getting well filled up with involuntary passengers. Sorry our accommodations are no better. Can only hope that some- thing will soon occur to your advantage. For the present, in pursuance of the orders of Capt. Semmes, I must chain yon to each other and to 3 r our fellow prisoners ■ " " Chain us ?" interrupted Mr. Yale, indignantly. 20 THE TRACK OF FIRE ; "Yes, chain you. , That is the only way, according to Capt. Semines, that we can make sure of so many prisoners. I regret this measure as much as you do, but the safety of the vessel seems to require it." He chained the prisoners closely, and left them, "with a hurried adieu. The entrance of the two men had called forth a variety of ejaculations from the young captain's crew, to which he now responped. The scene of which our hero and Mr. Vale had thus be- come features — the prison-hold of the Alabama — has become as famous in its way, or rather infamous, as the Libby prison, at Richmond, so that we may as well briefly describe it. It was immediately under the main-deck of the steamer, around the main hatch. It had the width of the vessel, and was between thirty-five and forty feet in length. Close, dark and ill-ventilated, under the best of circumstances, it had become doubly disagreeable and unhealthy under the tropical sun, particularly since so many prisoners had been huddled together in it. It contained no berths, no sky-lights, no beds, no blankets. In this filthy den at the moment Mr. Yale and Capt. "Willis were thus introduced into it, were crowded sixty or seventy men of all ages, colors and conditions. Two or three of them were sick ; others were attempting to read by the light of a lantern hanging against the wall ; and still others were bemoaniug their captivity and com- plaining of its annoyances and miseries. The air in this living grave was fetid and feverish, and the prisoners fairly reeked in this close confinement, a hot sweat breaking out on almost every face present. "An accursed hole, trulv !" exclaimed Mr. A' ale, as soon as he had realised his surroundings. " How can any person pretending to be civilized thrust a fellow-being into such a place as this V* He thought of Ethel, with a moan of anguish, and sank down at the feet of Capt. Willis, momentarily unnerved by the horrors of his situation. OR, A CRUISE WITH THE PIRATE SEMME8. 21 " Tho scene has changed since our boys were brought here," replied our hero. " This overcrowding is horrible !" Mr. Vale recovered his self-possession. " Well, let us hope that sonic good will come to us out of all this evil," he said. " Perhaps these steps are leading us to the discovery of the mystery respecting my lost boy !" "Heaven grant it!" exclaimed Capt. Willis. "By the way, Mr. Tale, did you see the middy who passed us as we came out of the cabin ?" "No; what middy?" ^ " A young fellow, about twenty years of age, who bears a singular resemblance to you !" "To we?" responded Mr. Yale, starting to his feet, and becoming deathly pale. " Yes. Thetlv >ught occurred to me that he might be your lost son!" For a moment Mr. Yale was unable to reply. It seemed to him so natural that Murlick should have kept the stolen boy with him (in case he was the abductor,) that the obser- vation of Capt. Willis came upon him with thrilling force. "I must see to this resemblance," lie finally ejaculated. " I feel — I almost know that there is something in it !" CHAPTER IV. MURLICK DEVELOPS HIS IDEAS MORE CLEARLY. The eyes of Lieutenqj^Murlick flashed wickedly, and hi* face looked fiendish as he reached the deck after leaving our hero and Mr. Yale in irons. " That gets them out of my way," he ejaculated. " I shall now have time to tell the fair captive what I think of her." As ho re-entered Ethel's presence, she saw that a change had come over him— that he was now openly cherishing the half-concealed admiration, and vengeful triumph he had ex- perienced during the past three days— that he now deemed himself in a position to reveal his infamous ideas and schemes to her. 22 THE TRACK OF FIEE ; "Well, Miss Tale, here we are," was his insulting greeting. " Since the stern fortune of war has taken your natural pro- tector from you, permit me to do what I can to supply his place to you. His eyes had such a villianous expression that the captive could not endure to look upon him. With a stifled cry of alarm, she turned abruptly away, and locked herself up in the state room that had been assigned to her. The following morning Ethel wished to pay a visit to her father, and accordingly spoke to Capt. Semmes about it. He referred her to Lieuttnant Murlick, as the executive officer of the vessel. " I don't like to deal with him," she declared. "You don't ? Well I'm sorry for that, but what can I do? Take my advice, young lady, and don't try to choose your company so long as you remain in your present position !'' With this he left her. For an hour Ethel struggled with her antipathy and half- defined apprehensions, and then she went to Lieutenant Murlick, and informed him that she wished to visit her father. " Of course, of course !" was his response. " I know your loving heart would soon tafce you in that direction, and I shall be glad to serve you in the course of half an hour — as soon as my boys have put the decks in order. You can re- main in the cabin until I come for you.'' The interval thus passed seemed an age, but Murlick finally presented himself before her. She noticed that he had dressed himself with unusual car^^ind that he was more smiling than she had before seen him. " I am ready to conduct you to your father, Miss Yale," lie said. Ethel acknowledged the remark with a stately inclination of her head, and followed him to the hold. She was appal- led by the odors of the place, and by the spectacle the hud- dled prisoners presented. My father in such a den as this !" she exclaimed, with warm OR, A CRUISE WITU THE 1'IRATE SEMMES. 23 indignation, as her glances rested on the sea of upturned faces. M "What villiany ! what baseness ! ' " This way, daughter," said her father. She was shocked by the paleness of his face, as she bounded forward and was clasped to his breast. '• How you have suffered, dear father," she exclaimed, " and all because your kind heart prompted you to come to the supposed relief of others !" " It is on your account that I have suffered, and not on my own," replied Mr. Vale. " My poor child! What wrong and cruelty oppress you !" lie sobbed in his anguish. " Oh, for a good breath of air!" he continued, after a pause, — " for room to move about — for a glimpse of the sky or the ocean ! It is needless cruelty to shut men up in this manner !" Ethel fixed upon Murlick such a stern look of rebuke, that ho felt called upon to say something apologetical. " We shall take t^e hatch off presently, and lower a bar- rel of water with rations," he said. " There will then be more air." Ethel now turned to Capt. Willis, who had silently taken her hand, and was waiting for a greeting from her. " And you, Capt. Willis, how pale you are !" she mur- mured. " I have been awake all night, thinking of your horrible situation." " And we have been equally anxious about you !" The tenderness with which our hero uttered this res- ponse caused the maiden to tremble with emotion. A touching scene followed. Mr. Yale did not say anything about the mysterious mid- dy, etc., on account of the uncertainty of those subjects. Lieut. Murlick, as may well be imagined, kept his eyes and ears open, and the manner of the young couple towards each other was sufficiently suggestive to him. He saw that they were really lovers, whether confessedly so or not, and the knowledge moved him greatly. 24 THE TRACK OF FIRE ; His face flushed with a hot gust of passion, and a gleam of infernal meaning appeared in his eyes. " You must go now, darling," said Mr. Vale, after a brief season of communion with Ethel. " The air is very close here, and I am afraid you will take the fever I" "God be with you!" said our hero. "Keep up your courage, darling ! Be the brave little heart I have ever found you !" "I will speak to Capt. Semmes, and have you brought on deck, if possible," said the maiden. " I will bo hopeful. But you must both be hopeful also !" A few further expressions of encouragement were ex- changed, and Ethel returned to the deck, dismissing Murlick with a bow. She saw Capt. Semmes and implored him to allow her father and Capt. Willis the freedom of the deck, but her ap- plication was fruitless. "Give one man such a privilege, " was the commander's concluding remark, " and all will want it. Your friends shall not long remain in confinement. I shall send them ashore as soon as I get over-crowded !" This assurance was the first consoling word she had had from him. She thanked him, and returned to the cabin. Capt. Semmes continued his hunt during the day. He boarded several vessels, and captured one — a ship belong- ing in Philadelphia. At night, he had his conflagration, as usual, but gained no additional victim by it. This day was a continual pang to Ethel, as to her father and Capt. "Willis. She remained constantly in the cabin, affording such consolation to the other lady prisoners as her superior intellect and firmness enabled her to impart to them. She encountered Murlick at meals and every time she went on deck, and his eyes followed her movements, but he did not actually insult her. After another long night of anguish and restlessness, she resolvod again to see her father and Capt. Willis. " la there no way of obtaining their enlargement of OR, A CRUISE WITH THE PIRATE SEMMES. 25 Capt. Scmmos ?" she inquired of Murlick, after stating her wishes. "May be, "ho replied, with his eyes resting upon the maiden's lovely face in a stare of wrapt admiration. " Capt. fiemmes might say yes, if I were to champion their cause." u Will you speak a word for them ?" "That depends on yourself!" he pointedly replied. " On me ? How ?" " Why, if you treat me in a friendly manner, I will recip- rocate. It cannot be unknown to you that I am the execu- tive officer of this vessel. Neither can it be unknown to you that I can give your friends the liberty of the deck, if I choose to do so !" This was putting the case plainly. Ethel opened her eyes, both literally and figuratively. " Well, why have you not done so," 6he demanded. "You have seen my anguish — you knew how they suffered !" Murlick smiled grimly. " Really, you have not put yourself in communication with me," he said. " How can we do favors for people who dis- dain to speak to us? True, I might have proceeded to serve you, on my own authority, under the assumption that such and such a course would be agreeable to you — but, really, that is not the regular way of getting at such matters. In a word, if you want my good offices, you can at least ask me civilly for thein !" Ho chuckled to himself wickedly, by way of conclusion, lie felt that ho had spoken sagaciously— that he had, in fact, deftly paved the way for a more intimate acquaintance with the captive. " To tell the truth, Lieut. Murlick," replied Ethel, " I did not suppose it would do any good to ask your assistance." " In other words, your father has painted me as a fiend, and so caused you to treat me as one ? I regret your mis- take." - The scheming villian had now made hie authority suffici- ently plain to Ethel for her to be desirous of conciliating him. How should she proceed ? 26 . THE TRACK OF FIRE ; " My father told me of the difficulty between you and my mother, years ago," she said, " and I naturally felt an aver- sion towards you, under the circumstances of our meeting. We suspected you, moreover, of having been instrumental in the disappearance of my only brother, in his in- fancy " " You suspected me ?" interrupted Murlick, starting. " Certainly." she boldly replied. " Why not ? You utter- ed threats — many of them — which have had no fulfillment, unless in that sad affliction !" Murlick paced back and forth a few times, regarding the maiden attentively, and then said : " True, I did utter some threats agaihst your parents, at the period referred to, but they were forgotten as soon as uttered. I loved your mother, and was half-maddened by her preference of your father, but such emotions do not last. A tender respect for your mother's memory is the only sen- timent with which I recall all those matters !" " And you had nothing to do with the abducting of my brother ?" " Nothing. I was in business in New Orleans, and did not even know that your parents had any children. I have not heard of ^hem since the summer after their mar- riage !" Ethel marked the sinister expression of his face, and felt that ne was lying, but she did not care to say so. She mere- ly remarked : " This is a very gratifying assurance 1" " Let it be the basis of our friendship," replied Murlick, advancing towards her. " I loved your mother, and had the greatest admiration for her. Pardon me for adding, that tha little I have seen of you has awakened similar emo- tions. The affection I bore your mother is transferred to you." The tone in which he spoke, his mien, and the expression of his face, all startled Ethel. She retreated from him, sup- pressing a cry of surprise. OR, A CRUISE WITII TIIE PIRATE SEMMES. 27 What do you mean ?" she said. " Your -words — youi whole conduct is insulting !" u Oh, no ; do not say so !" he said, with eyes glowing like live coals. " I speak as a friend — as one who loves you." " Sir, no more of this — not another word, or I will report your conduct to Capt. Seinmes ! Surely he will not permit his officers to insult his prisoners !" At this instant Capt. Semmes came out of the cabin. Ethel was aroused, not only in resentment of Murlick's con- duct, but also under the conviction that he had been (not- withstanding his denial) concerned in the abduction of her brother. She accordingly turned to the Confederate com- mander, and commenced talking confidentially with him. The manner in which Murlick met this crisis was worthy of him He waited quietly, with a glance of assumed pity on his face until Semmes looked at him, with a glance that meant, "What is that she's saying?" and then he tapped his forehead significantly, and turned aside, and scanned the sur- face of the water. Semmes soon shook ofF the maiden, and rejoined his subordinate, while she hurried to the cabin. " What is the matter with this young lady, Lieut. Murlick?" was the Captain's inquiry. "Can't say, Captain," was the reply. I suspect, however, that the anxiety and strangeness of her lot has touched her in the upper story. Why, she says that you have stolen her brother !" "The deuce she docs!" exclaimed Semmes. "Ha, ha! she told me that you stole him £' "The two men laughed uproriously. "A good joke," added Semmes. " She says that her mother's in love with you, and that terrible threats were uttered by you, and all that. Keep your eye on her, Murlick, and see that she does no injury to herself or any one else. " After all," he added, becoming serious " it's a sad case." He passed on to attend to some duty. Murlick looked i. -or him, with a strangely jubilant manner. "that's another good move!" he muttered. "He thinks 28 THE TRACK OF FIRE | she's insane, and will say she's gone overboard, should she be suddenly missing. Ha, ha !" As he went about his duties, it was remarked, that he was singularly excited. And he chuckled frequently to himself like one already sure of the success of some awful scheme. The Alabama passed another unsuccessful day steaming steadily towards Maritius. The fright Murlick had given Ethel caused her to remain secluded in her stateroom, and to havo her dinner and supper brought to her by a fellow captive. Her desolation and anguish may be imagined. The next day was more fortunate for the Confederates. Soon after daylight, a large ship was seen standing to tho eastward, on the extreme horizon, and a lively and exciting chase ensued resulting in the capture of the stranger, which proved to belong in Boston. She had a valuable cargo, a large crew, and ten or twelve passengers, including several women and children. Placed in charge of a prize crew, she followed in the wake of the Confederate steamer during the day, very readily keeping up with her. The accession of prisoners gained from this vessel filled the hold of the Alabama to overflowing, and caused Semmes to resolve on sending them all ashore the following day, in accordance with his usual custom. "We had better land them at the Cape," he said to Mur- lick, after the latter had reported to him that a couple of the prisoners had died in the hold, either of disease or suffoca- tion. "We shall have to use one of our prizes for this pur- pose, of course. Shall we take this clipper ?" Murlick was determined to prolong his associetion with Miss Yale just as long as he could, and he accordingly replied : " I would not send them ashore now, nor until you get a poorer vessel. Suppose this one shouid be recaptured by the Vanderbilt or some other federal cruiser, on approach^ ing the Cape ? She's too valuable to the Yankees for us to run any risk of restoring her to them. We'd better burn OR, A CRUISE WITH THE PIRATE SEMMES. 29 her to-night, and take the chances of getting another for the use of the prisoners !" This sinister advice was adopted. The track of Semmes to the eastward was again lighted up, immediately after night-fall, by the wanton destruction of his prize. Contrary to the expectation of Murlick, the light of the conflagration brought a victim to the scene — a handsome clipper-bark hailing from New York. " This is just the craft for the landing of the prisoners," observed Semmes to his lieutenant, when the bark was fully in his possession. " We'll start her for the shore forthwith, and you 6hall have charge of the whole matter. After landing the prisoners at the Cape, or at Cape Town, just as you choose — you can report to me at our retreat at the Dodo Islands !" Murlick was placed quite at his ease by learning that he was to have charge of the prisoners. " Shall I start to-night ?" he asked. " Yes, as soon as we can transfer the prisoners to the prize. See to it, that they are securely ironed !" The joy of Murlick was great, as he superintended the removal of the prisoners from the steamer to the bark. He saw that he would have the Vales completely at his mercy. The male prisoners were all put in the hold of the prize, and chained hand and foot, while the ladies and children were assigned places in the cabin. The hull of the last decoy had scarcely disappeared beneath the waves, when Murlick reported to his superior officer that he was ready for departure. " Well, I believe everything is understood between us," responded Semmes. " I shall proceed to the Dodos in the morning, and probably do but little more business until you return to us. I wish to put a new coat of paint on the steamer, and otherwise disguise her. Take care of yourself and good-luck to youl" Murlick uttered his orders to his brother officers, and " went aboard of the bark. The crew detailed to her from SO THE TRACK OF FIRE J the Alabama went about their duties, with a hearty cheer, and she stood away before the wind for Cape Town. In a few minutes she was beyond sight or hearing from the steamer, and Murlick's lawless sense of freedom was com- plete. Everything had gone to his liking ! Leaning over the bulwarks near him was Ethel Tale, pale and excited, in momentary expectation of some further dis- play of his brutality. Below, in the darkness of the hold, lay her father and Capt. Willis, writhing in chains, and overwhelmed with the most terrible anxiety and foreboding. And around the scheming lieutenant were twelve or fifteen of his fellow-ruffians, all ready for the execution of his will. * It was no wonder that he smiled ! No wonder that his eyes gleamed savagely, as he whispered to himself : " She is even more beautiful than her mother, and I love her already far better than I loved her mother before her ! Lovely and enchanting creature ! she shall speedily be mine !" CHAPTER Y. A MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. We must now see how Capt. Willis and Mr. Tale were getting along in their close quarters. After the visit of Ethel to them, accompanied by Murlick, they had experienced a conviction that the villian meant her and them a positive evil. They had sent for Capt. Semmes, with the intention of mentioning this apprehension, but he had been, thus far, too busy to come near them. They had endeavored to learn something about the mid- shipmen who resembled the merchant, but in vain. They had sent for Ethel repeatedly, but their messages K oot been taken t© her. OB, A CRUISE WITO THE TIRATE SEMMES. 31 The horrible anxieties which had thus grown upon them, can be imagined. After the transfer of the prisoners to the bark, it was no longer possible for the father and lover to doubt that Mur- lick meant them ill. The scheming miscreant had assured himself, with his own eyes, that their irons were sound ; and had taken care that they should not see the maiden during the process of their removal from one vessel to the other. l*he only deduction they could make from his conduct was that he was maturing some infamous scheme against Ethel and themselves. They were accordingly discussing the probable character of his villiany, at the instant he was expressing his vengeful glee, as recorded. How will the blow come, Ned ?" asked Mr. Vale. " Will he land us, and retain Ethel in his custody ? Will he threathen to set us ashore on some desolate island, if she does not consent to marry him ? My God ! what is the form in which his baseness and malignancy will find ex- pression ?" " It is hard to say," replied our hero, in a voice that quiv- ered with his intense grief and anxiet} r . " The only cer- tainty, is that he means us evil ! He will not land us at the Cape, with the other prisoners — or, if he does, he will bear Ethel away with him. Now that he is out of Semmes sight, he we will pause at nothing that feeds his revenge !" Mr. Vale could only groan, by way of reply. Capt. Willis was silent a moment, surveying the scene around him — the prisoners, the guard at the entrance, and the various objects in the hold, all revealed by the dim light of a lantern hanging against the wall. He then placed his lips to Mr. Vale's ear, and whispered : " We cannot act too soon !" ¥ True — but I see no chance for action, What can we do ? What would you say ?" " We must strike for our freedom !" 32 TIIE TRACK OF FIRE ; The merchant started at this brief communication, and stared fixedly at tho speaker. " What is it Ned ?" he soon demanded. " Give me your idea — for I see that you have one !" " Yes. Speak low and I will tell you my meaning. I dis- covered soon after we were put into the hold of the steam- er, that I could slip my handcuffs /" Mr. Yale was speechless with a joyful surprise. "You know I am of slender build," pursued our hero, " and have a small hand. While we were on the steamer, surrounded by her whole crew, I did not care to mention the fact, lest I should arouse vain hopes, but there's no mis- take about it !" " Well, what do you propose to do ?" " To make a move in the right direction. We have had enough of this sort of things — enough of chains and separa- tion ! I may fail — but I'd rather be at the bottom of the sea, than where I am at this moment !" j" I share tho feeling, Ned. Poor Ethel ! But how will you strike ?" " Leave all to me. I'll take the first step now." He produced a piece of fat pork he had saved from the soup furnished him, and greased his hands with it, rubbing them till they were moist. He then applied himself to tho self-prescribed task — that of slipping his handcuffs. Tho bones of his hands fairly cracked under the pressure of the encircling steel, but he persisted in the measure, and in a moment the long-fettered member was free. " That's the main thing," he whispered. " The rest is easy !" " Heaven grant it, Ned. Everything now depends upon you!" Ned was silent a moment, as if rallying all his forces for the coming struggle, and then whispered : " There are over a hundred of us. Two-thirds of this number will fight to the death, if I can furnish them arms. There are only twelve or fifteen of the pirates. This guard has the keys of our irons — or did, when we were on the OR, A CRUISE WITH THE PIRATE SEMMES. 33 6teamcr. He "will transfer them to the men who relieves him, and it's about time for that man to appear. When he comes " The party referred to was already heard coming. , He proved to be a burly confederate, who approached snapping and snarling, and wishing that the prisoners had, been at the bottom of the sea before he was detained to watch them. He relieved his predecessor, and received from him the keys mentioned, with a few words of instruc- tion. " Tho critical moment has come !" whispered Ned, as the relieved man withdrew. " This fresh guard will be along in a moment, to see if we are safe !" Mr. Vale fairly held his breath. Two or three of his fellow prisoners detected that some project was on foot, and were watching intently for its de- noument. The guard took the lantern from the wall, and commenced a tour of inspection through the hold, in accordance w r ith his instructions. Ned had secured, and brought with him from the steamer a pair of heavy shackles which had been taken from one of the prisoners who had died there, and he now held them doubled in his hand, ready for their intended work. As the guard came within reach of him, and was inspect- ing the shackles of Mr. Yale, Ned struck him a terrific blow and he fell senseless to the floor. A buzz of excitement arose from the prisoners who had been watching tho proceedings, and some of their sleeping comrades started out of their slumber, with ejaculations of inquiry and alarm. " Siler^e, every man of you !" commanded Ned. " Silence! and I will release you !" The injunction was obeyed. The lantern had been overthrown in the fall of the guard, but was not extinguished, and Mr. Vale instantly picked it up, whispering : 34 THE TRACK OF FIRE ; " Now for the keys !" Ned searched the pockets of the prostrate man, and pro- duced the keys. In a moment, while the merchant held the light, our hero released Mr. Vale and himself. '• Me next !"' exclaimed half a score of voices, in chorus. " Here ! here !" " Patience, men," responded Ned, with a calm cheerful- ness that allayed the rising panic. "I will attend to you as fast as I can. The first measure is to obtain arms !" lie seized the cap and coat of the insensible guard, as well as his weapons, and then added : " Take the light and the keys, Mr. Yale, and release all the men you can in my absence. I am going to look for sabres and pistols. We can do nothing without them !" The prisoners felt the necessity of this measure, and each resigned himself to it. " Silence, all !" was Ned's parting injunction. " A breath, and we are lost !" He hurried to the entrance, and in another moment gain- ed the deck. He halted in the shadow of the sails, and looked around him. The night was serenely beautiful. A flood of mellow moonlight lighted up the scene, and the starry hosts were revealed in the clear splendor of the tropics. Scattered along the deck of the vessel was the watch on duty, each individual engaged at some task, or conversing with his fellows, so that the appearance of our hero in their midst was not particularly noticed. With what a thrill of joy he exulted in his regained free- dom. How tenderly and wildly he thought of Ethel. Where was Murlick ? Where could he find some arms ? How best avoid detection ? He took off his boots, and stole toward the cabin. Listening at the head of the companion way, and hearing OK, A CRUISE WITH THE TIKATE SEMMES. 35 nothing to alarm him, he crept down the stairs, pausing at their foot, and looking searchingly around. A dim light was burning in a swinging lantern in the cen- tre of the cabin, and by its rays Ned beheld a couple of women in one of the rear state-rooms. As the nearest of these ladies changed her position, he beheld Ethel seated at a little table, her head leaning on her hand, and her attitude one of despair. One of her companions addressed her, and as she roused up to reply, she disclosed a face of such pallor and sadness that Capt. Willis yearned over her with a great flood of pity and tenderness. He saw that the ladies were bidding the maiden good- night, and retreated to the head of the stairs, not caring to run the risk of such an alarm as they were likely to raise at the detection of his presence. They soon left her, how- ever, shutting themselves up in an adjoining state-room, and Ned then moved cautiously towards her. His move- ments, as stealthy as they were, were detected by her acute hearing, and she looked up. As she knew how strongly the prisoners were chained, and how closely they were guarded, the first thought that presented itself to her mind was that she saw an apparition, and a wild look of terror appeared on her face. " Hush, darling ! Do not speak — do not be afraid of me ! It is me /" He took her by the hand. " 0, God !" she murmured. " Can I believe my eight — my hearing ?" An instant longer she looked admiringly at him, as she in- stinctively closed the door of the state-room, and then she threw herself into his arms. She nestled in his bosom. She rained kisses upon his cheeks and lip's. She clung to his neck, weeping for joy. She panted in her half-delirious excitement. " My father ?" she finally murmured. " Is free also, and engaged in releasing our fellow-prison- 36 THE TRACK OF FIRE; ers," replied our hero. " We are going to strike for our freedom. Where's Murlick ?" M In a state-room on the opposite side of the cabin. He has been there but few a minutes. Can it be that he is already asleep ?" They both listened, Ethel partly disengaging herself from Ned's embrace, and blushing at her late impulsiveness. She was the first to speak. 41 FH see what he's about," she whispered. " Please re- main where you are!" She slipped out of the state-room,closing the door behind her. She returned, after the lapse of a minute or two, and whispered : " I hear nothing of him. He may be asleep, and may be looking over the papers of the late captain of this vessel. It will be safe for us to be on our guard against the villain. Why did not father come with you ?" Ned briefly explained, adding : " You see that we want arms. Can you assist us to find some V u Yes, Murlick stowed quite a lot of them away in the state room next to this. Perhaps my key will fit the door. Let's see !" She tried it. The door opened. " Step in !" she said. " I will listen again." Ned stepped into the state-room, and found a dozen Bwords and as many pistols, mostly revolvers. He tied them all in two bunches, running a noose tie through tho handles of the former, and a stout cord he happened to have through the handles of the latter. " The way is clear," whispered Ethel, returning to him. " I hear nothing of Murlick. He thinks the game is all in his own hands, and is resting from his late watchfulness on the Alabama." "May he awake in our hands!" responded Ned, as he came out of the state-room. " Be brave now, Ethel. You soon shall see your father. These arms are our salvation !" These words, in connection with the bright and cheery OR, A CRUISE WITH THE PIRATE SEMMK3. 37 look on the speakers countenance, inspired Ethel with hope and faith. " Heaven be with yon !" she rejoined. " I shall be in my apartment. Tell father to be cautious for my sake, and to hurry to me as soon as he can !" At this juncture, just as Ned was going, Murlick appeared in the door-way of his state-room, looking from one to the other. - m+S > 1 CHAPTER VI. MURLICK BIDES HIS TD1E. The meeting was a mutual one, but Murlick, having sup- posed his prisoners secure, was considerably the most startled, and stood motionless a moment, like one paralyzed. That momentary inaction cut him dearly. Without a word or any display of his emotions, Ned leaped at his enemy, taking him by the throat, with the in- tention of preventing him from summoning assistance. The struggle that followed can be imagined — the panting of the combatants ; their fierce grapple, as they rolled over and over ! the scuffling of feet ; the beating of heads and limbs against the walls of the state-room ; the awful ferocity of Murlick, contrasted with the quiet resolution of our hero ; and the anxiety with which Ethel watched them. It was a desperate and prolonged battle. The ladies opened their state-room doors and looked out, some with faint screams, some in a horrified silence. And it was thus that Ethel evinced the stuff of which she was made, she moving from one to the other of the frightened ones, enjoining them to be still, assuring them that all was well and would soon be better ! She had seen that Ned, having closed his fingers on Mur- lick's throat, had the advantage from the start, and that ho bad maintained it. Gasping and discolored, Murlick ceased 38 THE TRACK OP FIRE ; his struggle, and the victor, with the aid of Ethel, gagged and bound him, and locked him up in the state-room. " That's good for us!" said Ned, after looking out from the cabin. "No alarm has been raised, and we can now go on with our proceedings !" He picked up his swords and pistols, addressed a few further words to Ethel, enjoining her to keep the women quiet, and then hurried from the cabin. The posture of affairs on deck was very much as he had left it. One of the sailors on duty was engaged in spinning an in- teresting yarn, and several of his comrades had neither eyes nor ears for anything else. In a moment Ned had gained the hold, with his weapons, and his triumphant return was hailed by the prisoners with a wild buzz of excitement. He found that more than thirty of them had been restored to the use of their limbs, and that the rest were being at- tended to with all possible expedition. " Be cautious, men !" said Capt. Willis, in a low but per- fectly distinct tone. "Our lives still depend upon your caution !" There was instant silence, while he distributed the swords and pistols as far as they would go, arming Mr. Vale with the rest. "I secured all the arms that were not in use," he then said. " I will now go to the forecastle, where the watch off duty is sleeping, and secure their weapons !" " Oh, no, Ned !" exclaimed Mr. Yale, grasping the young captain's hand. " I can't consent to your taking such a risk. We have weapons for more than a dozen of us, and there are not more than fifteen of our enemies on board. We can conquer them. You must not go !" " Their fifteen pistols would kill fifteen of us," responded Ned, quietly. " We must have their arms, not only for our own use, but to deprive them of them ! Let what will oc- cur, I can make my way back to you, or give you notice of trouble. I m»s* c«* V" OR, A CRUISE WITH THE PIRATE SEMMES. 39 Mr. Tale preBsed his hand with deep emotion, and Capt. Willis added : " Ethel is all safe in the cabin, and longing to see you! Have faith and patience !" He again slipped upon deck, and gained the forecastle un- suspected, but not unnoticed. Its occupants, the watch off duty, were asleep. A lantern was burning dimly, revealing the sleepers in their bunks, and some weapons scattered about on the tables and stools, and as many more hung over their sleeping owners. As Ned entered, one or two of the seamen turned over, muttering incoherently. As silently as possible, the intruder began to collect the scattered arms, securing them as he had done those in the state-room, and he soon possessed all that were visible. He now breathed more freely. He was resolved, however, not to leave a single weapon to imperil the lives of his friends, if he could help it, and he began feeling under the heads of the sleepers. " What do you want here ?" growled one of the seamen, impatiently, as he half-roused himself from his slumber at Ned's touch. " I want your weapon !" said Capt. Willis, in a low and steady tone. " Ah ! here it is !" After a few further successes, Ned concluded that he had obtained nearly all of the arms on board of the vessel, ex- cept such as might be in possession of the watch on deck, and prepared to return to his companions. He left the forecastle, with a watchful eye and no little anxiety, but with a jubilant thrill pervading his whole being. While passing along the deck, he was seen by one of the men on duty, and suddenly seized, while the fellow uttered a wondering exclamation. Capt. Willis instantly realized not only his own peril, but the danger his friends would be in should the arms in his possession be recaptured. A quick glance showed him that the other sailors on deck were not noticing himself nor the confederate detaining him. 40 THE TRACK OF FIRE; "With the quickness of a flash, and while the fellow was tightening his grip, and in the act of uttering an outcry, Capt Willis struck him with his revolver, and he fell to the deck with a dull sound. | The noise aroused his companions, and they rushed for- ward, uttering cries of alarm, as Ned dashed into the hold, exclaiming : " Lively, men ! Take these arms. The pirates have de- tected me, hut are almost without weapons. We are four to one. Let the unarmed remain here to release the rest of you, while we gain possession of the vessel. Everything is in our own hands. Come, men. Follow me !" He led the way to the deck, and the men poured after him. Their appearance was greeted by the confederates with a general shout of consternation. To Ned's surprise, Murlick was on the deck, near the forecastle, at the head of his followers, two or three of them having dashed into the cabin and released him. " Now, men, for our freedom !" cried Capt. Willis, in a voice like the roar of a lion. " Forward, all together !" As completely as he had been taken by surprise by the movement of our hero, Murlick was neither subdued nor daunted. To his original hatred of the Vales, he had added a bitter feeling of jealousy of Capt. Willis, and a still fiercer sentiment of love for Ethel, and all these passions and emotions combined made him a most formidable foe to en- counter. M Turn out, boys!" he shouted, with a glance towards the forecastle. i; Secesh against the Yankees forever !" As bravely as he spoke, he speedily saw enough to cause him to quail- — the watch off duty pouring unarmed out of the forecastle, and the late prisoners gathering in over- whelming array before him. He saw that an hour of retribution had come. Maddened with desperation, he attacked our hero furi- ously, and a sharp conflict succeeded. His followers made a desperate onslaught upon their late OR, A CRUISE VTITn THE PIRATE SEMMES. 41 prisoners, but he and they speedily saw that the odds against them were fatal. Capt. Willis had fairly beaten Murlick, when he caught sight of Mr. Vale struggling in the grasp of a frenzied as- sailant, and sprang to his rescue, cutting the fellow down at his feet. At the same instant, one of the Confederates, be- side himself with fright, leaped on the bulwarks and plunged overboard. Another exclaimed that he surrendered, and the cry became a chorus, so that the victors stayed their hands. A bubbling shriek came up from the water, and a large portion of the federals hurried to the other side of the bark and looked after the drowning man as he fell astern in the darkness, although he was out of sight. Some spoke of heaving to and lowering a boat, and others said it would be of no avail to do so. Our hero was busy with Mr. Vale. And in this general confusion, Murlick found himself de- tached from the group, near the forecastle, unnoticed, and so thoroughly vanquished that no one cared for his where- abouts. '• If I can hide unseen," he thought, " and remain undetect- ed, they'll think that it was I that jumped overboard !" His legs moved even more rapidly than his thoughts, and he was speedily in the forecastle. Much to his joy he found a passage leading into the lower hold. He was soon far down among the boxes and bales stowed in that part of the vessel, groping his way in utter darkness. lie had recently broken cargoes enough to know where everything was kept, and he made his way to the water- casks, tappping them until he found one tliat was empty. By a herculean exertion of his strength, he moved some of the full casks sufficiently to admit of his placing the empty one among them. With the aid of an oaken lever that came opportunely to his hands — it being habitually used to move the casks — ho dashed in the head of the empty one, which he then inserted 42 THK TRACK OF FIRE; over his shoulders. Crouching, the cask touched the floor, and he was completely shut in. Placing his mouth near the bung-hole, he settled himself into an easy posture, and listened. " They may find me here," he muttered, " and they may not. If they don't, I'll bide my time !" lie chuckled to himself and, with the air of one who considers himself dangerous and unconquered, and continued to listen. . CHAPTER VII. THE EETC"RN TO THE CAfE. The victory was won, and Capt. Willis and his friends re- mained in possession of the vessel. It was speedliy ascertained that two of the Confederates were killed and one badly wounded, while, with the excep- tion of a few slight wounds, the victors were uninjured. Ned's crew surrounded him, with noisy acclamations and shouts of rejoicing. His attention being called to the fact that a man was over- board, the young captain hove to, and ordered out a boat to look for him. The cries of the drowning man had now died away, however, and the boat came back unsuccessful, and the bark resumed her course. Our hero noticed that the man at the wheel was intelli- gent looking, and that he was apparently unmoved by the scene around him. He questioned him in regard to his strange behaviour, and asked him why he had not assisted his fellow-seamen. " Because," replied the man, still attending to his duty, " my business is here, and I did not want anything to do wilU the fighting?" A general laugh followed this remark, and he added : " To tell the truth, I can imagine worse misfortunes than OR, A CRUISE WTTn TOE PIRATE SEMMES. 43 to be trailer the old flag, or a prisoner in the hands of its defenders !" Ned instantly comprehended that the man was more than half Unionist, and he replied : '• Y«>u can retain your freedom, and consider yourself our guest, not a prisoner !" * The captain of the hark having been killed at the time of her capture by the Alabama, it was unanimously agreed that Capt. "Willis should take command of her, and he im- mediately ordered a man to the wheel, relieving the Confed- erate, and selected a watch from his men for the remainder of the night. Two-thirds of the Confederates had gathered in a group about their dead and wounded comrades, and, throwing down their arms, had repeated their surrender. Some of them were sullen, and defiant, and others appeared over- whelmed with fear. The remainder of their number were hunted out of the cabin, forecastle, and lower hold, and brought to the deck. Although the hunters passed near Murlick in his concealment, they didnotdetecthis presence, and returned to Ned with the conclusion that the villain was the man who had plunged overboard. The dead Confederates were sewed up in sail-cloth and launched into the sea, with brief ceremonies, and the wound- ed one was removed to the forecastle and humanely cared for. The remaining prisoners were ironed and put in the hold, the universal voice of the captors being in favor of this treatment. " We will not treat them as badly as Ave have been treated," said Capt. Willis, " but we will nevertheless let them know what it is to be prisoners !" The confederates being thus disposed of, a guard was put over them, and the captors made themselves comfortable. The passengers of the different vessels were assigned places in the cabin, as far as it would contain them, and some spare sails wero speedily converted into an awning to shel- 44 THE TRACK OF FIRE ; ter the rest. The sailors took possession of the forecastle, and as much of the forward deck as they required. When everything was arranged to his liking, Ned pro- ceeded to Ethel's state-room, where she and her father were still engaged in conversation, and was instantly admitted. He Avas welcomed by Ethel with a warm pressure of the hand, and a vivid blush, while Mr. Yale exclaimed : " Ethel has been telling me, Ned, of your fight with Mur- lick. You're a brave and noble fellow — I wish you were my son !" Ethel's blushes deepened, and Ned quickly replied : " You can make me so, sir! Will you give me Ethel?" The merchant looked from one to the other of the young couple and then said : "I don't know of any man on earth, my dear boy, to whom I would so willingly entrust the future of my child as to you ! You can have her, with her father's blessing, if she's willing 1" Ned whispered to the maiden, and that her answer was satisfactory, was plainly evinced by the light that suddenly overspread the young captain's countenance, and the be- trothal kiss he bestowed upon her. 'Sir. Yale was fairly overcome with delight. He had long known the sterling qualities of Ned's head and heart, and regarded him already as a dear son. ' ; And now," said Ned, a few minutes later, when they had rejoiced with each other sufficiently, " we are having a grand supper in the cabin ! Let us take our place among the rest!" They went into the large apartment, and found the table already spread, and the late prisoners grouped around the apartment partaking of a supper. " And so we are all very comfortable," said Ned to Ethel, when he had supplied her plate and his own, and had found seats. " What joy it is for me to be again with you — under such circumstances too !" Ethel encountered his ardent and loving gaze, and, to con-< OR, A. CRUISE WITH THE PIRATE SEMMES. 45 eeal the emotion that was plainly shown in her scarlet cheeks and sparkling eyes, she said : " Do you believe that Murlick is really dead ? Perhaps he is hidden somewhere in the vessel. I have not yet dis- missed all my fears of him !" " That's because you have been so completely terrified by him !" replied Ned. " This feeling will wear off. His own men say he's jumped overboard, and that's the very course such a villain would take in his desperation, he being too fierce and defiant to surrender. Yre'll search the vessel thoroughly, however," he added, " and so make sure of being rid of him !" As soon, therefore, as they had finished their repast, Capt. Willis, aided by Mr. Yale and half a score of the passengers, searched the ship thoroughly, passing near the place of Murlick's concealment and even sounding some of the water- casks around him, thereby causing the villain's heart to quake with fear. Not finding any trace of him, the convic- tion became general that the man who had jumped over- board was really Murlick. Capt. Willis decided to keep on his course to the Cape, in order to land the Confederates and such of the federals as might wish to take passage thence in homeward bound ves- sels. It was his intention to retain command of the bark, ample provisioning her at Cape Town, and take her to New York, carrying with him as many of the passengers as he could, and there have the Courts pass upon his claim to her. The succeeding days passed pleasant, and the occupants of the bark spent much of their time on deck, telling stories, playing games, and otherwise exercising and enjoying their new-found freedom. Notwithstanding the faithful per- formance of his duties as captain, Ned found time to devote himself to Ethel and to make the days pass like a blissful dream to her. Except their manacles and shackles, the prisoners in the hold, were well-cared for, allowed plenty of fresh air and good food, and otherwise kindly treated. About sunset, on the third day after taking the vesse I 46 THE TRACK OF FIRE; Capt. Willis sailed into Table Bay. The passengers thronged the deck, and witnessed with delight the halo of crimson and amber clouds that crowned the bow of Table Mountain, the palms and other trees that lined the shores, and finally the castle, the fortress and batteries that guarded the harbor and town. The village with its regular streets and neat brick "houses, its government buildings, etc., presented a home-look to tlio tired passengers, and they requested to go ashore immedi- ately — some wishing to procure clothes, others to mail let- ters, and others to " get a good sleep," as one of the ladies declared. The surf of the Atlantic against the shores at Cape Town,, sometimes rendering anchoring impracticable, and it was sometime before a safe anchorage was effected. The boats were then got out and the passengers and crews were taken ashore, load after load, until the bark was nearly deserted, Capt. Willis then changed the guard over his prisoners, and said to Ethel and her father, who stood leaning over the bulwarks and contemplating the scene : " I must go ashore to procure provisions for our journey across the Atlantic. There remain goods enough on board to exchange for all Ave want, and we can obtain some money, if necessary. Would'nt you like to go to the town. Ethel, with me, and purchase something for your wardrobe ?" "I think not to-day, Edward, was the reply "Father has a headache, and I will stay with him. Besides, you know I have my trunks all safe. But we'll all go in the morning!" Capt. Willis kissed his betrothed and then climbed down into his boat and Avas rowed ashore, Ethel and her father watching him until he landed. In this posture of affairs, a sinister event occurred. Lieut Murlick peered out of the foreastlc, surveying the deck, the father and daughter, the town, and the whole 6ceno around him ! OR, A CRUISE WITH THE FIXATE SEM.ME3. CHAPTER Till. ANOTHER SUDDEN CHANGE OF FORTUNE. The face of the Confederate lieutenant was haggard , al- t wild in its expression. His fare, since the night of the conflict, had consisted of sea biscuits and water, and his sleep had not extended beyond a few snatches of dozing. He had early realized that the bark was making for the Cape, as fast as the wind could carry her, and had grimly awaited events. He had not shown himself to his men, al- though he had made a stealthy visit to that quarter of 'the 3el, and informed himself of their situation. His appearance, as he thus looked forth upon Mr. Vale and Ethel, was startling — his features glowing with his emo- tions, and his eyes gleaming like those of a hungry beast of prey. In his hand he held the heavy lever with which he had knocked in the head of the hogshead which for three days and nights had been his retreat. " I see ! The field is ready for the sower !" was his half- audible comment on the situation of affairs. " I will hasten to improve it !" He hastened to the hold, lever in hand. One of Ned's men was keeping guard over the prisoner.?, but in an indo- lent and careless way, having no apprehensions of a rescue. He was seated on a low stool, with his back to the wall, and engaged in smoking. With a chuckle of delight, Murlick levelled him with a single blow of his weapon, and then said : ■ Not a word, men— not a whisper ! I am here, and I bring you your freedom !" He took the keys from the pocket of the insensible guard, and restored his men to liberty one after another. As the men arose and stretched their limbs, they express- ed their joy. 48 THE TRACK OF FIRE J " This way, men,"' said Murlick. " I will furnish you arms. There are enough of them in the forecastle. The Yankees have nearly all gone ashore, and we shall have no difficulty in recapturing the vessel !" The assurance excited his men so much that he could hardly restrain them. Expressions of vindictiveness burst from them, as they followed their leader to the forecastle. w You shall have full satisfaction for your confinement," said Murlick, as he saw that this part of the vessel was en- tirely deserted. " Here are plenty of swords and pistols, the very same taken from U3 by the Yankees. Help your- selves to them !" The men selected their arms, while Murlick peered forth upon the deck, which still remained as quiet as at the mo- ment of his previous survey. The father and daughter still remained leaning over the bulwarks, and were conversing in low tones with each other, all unsuspicious of the startling events which had just taken place behind them. The realization of their unprotectedness filled the soul of the ob- server with an infernal delight. He crept back to his fellows, giving expression to his emotions in a low chuckle. * Prepare for action, men," he commanded. " You will not shoot any one except in case of actual necessity. Await orders and keep cool !" He went up to the deck followed by his men, and approach- ed the father and daughter. As they drew near, Mr. Vale looked up. An expression of consternation and terror appeared on his faco as he recog- nized his enemy, and he hurriedly drew his pistol, while Ethel uterred a low cry of alarm. ■ Don't you use that weapon!'' said Murlick, in an ugly. tone, " or I'll have you shot on the spot ! I am master of this' vessel. I have watched my chance and I know that nearly everybody has gone ashore, and I am quite competent to take care of those that remain. Will you surrender ?" I Mr. Vale could not reply. All things seemed to reel bo- OB, A CRUISE WITU THE PIRATE SEMME9. 49 fore him at this new misfortune. Ethel was dumb with grief. ''You may as well," pursued Murlick. " Capt. Willis won't be back just at present. Xo resistance can avail !"' The merchant moaned in his terrible anguish. Ethel re- covered her calmness and spoke for him. u Since resistance is useless, as you say, we will sur- render," she said. " You will permit us to retire to my state-room ?" - " Yes, but I will first clear the cabin," replied Murlick. "You can remain here in charge of men my till I return." He selected several of his men and immediately seized every man on the bark, with the exception of Mr. Vale, and shut them up in the hold. lie then visited the cabin, lock- ing up the women he found therein in a couple of state-rooms. He then returned to Mr. Yale and Ethel. "You will not dare perpetrate this seizure in neutral waters, Lieut. Murlick," said the merchant. " My daughter and I are now under the protection of the English government !" " Oli you are ?" was the insulting response. "Let's seo the English government protect you! Neutral waters or not, I am commander of this vessel. As regards you and Miss Yale, I shall do as I please here or elsewhere!" He conducted them to Ethel's state-room and added : " I will leave you here together for the present. I must now bo prepared to take care of Capt. Willis when he makes his appearance !" He left them, locking them up securely, having found tho key in the door. Mr. Yale flung himself on the low couch, and covered his face with his hands, moaning : " Oh. my poor Ethel ! I do not grieve for myself, but for you and Ned !" The tears came to the poor girl's eyes, and it required all her self-control to prevent her giving way to sobs, but she exerted herself to comfort her father, seating herself upon his knees and smoothing his hair, drawing his hand from his 50 THE TRACK OF FIRE ; face and kissing it tenderly, and in loving words and ac- tions manifesting her affection for liim. " Perhaps, after all, dear father," she said, " Ned may re- turn in company with a large number of the passengers and crew. In that case he would soon release ns I" Meantime, the villains had gone back to the forecastle to await the return of our hero. They had not waited long before a boat returned with a few of the passengers and seamen. As soon as they came on board they were seized and ironed, and confined in the hold under guard. They were hardly disposed of when another boatload of passen- sengers, including several ladie3, climbed up the sides of the vessel, and these were also secured without noise, and the men put into the hold, and the women taken to the cabin. The glow of sunset had long sinee died away, aud the shadows of evening were resting darker between the vessel and the shore, when Capt. Willis, attended by three or four seamen, carrying provisions, came on board. He was instantly confronted by the villian and half a dozen of his men. In the faint light of the rising moon, Capt. Willis instantly recognized his enemies, and drew his weapons. " Surround him ! : ' commanded Murlick, " Seize him, three at once, while the rest of you attend to the others 1" The order was obeyed. Three of the Confederates besides Murlick himself sprang upon our hero aud endeavored to seize him. lie fought desperately, killing one of his assailants and wounding the villain himself slightly in the shoulder, but he was at length secured and ironed. His men had already ceased their struggles, having been taken at a disadvantage, and were also secured. Murlick then ordered Capt. Willis to be taken down to Ethel's state-room, he leading the way and unlocking the door. The surprise and grief of the lovers at their strange meet- ing, can be better imagined than described. Despite Ethel's entreaties, Mr. Yale was hand-cuffed and a ball and chain attached to his feet, and also one to Ned's. OR, A CRUISE WITH THE PIRATE SEMMES, 51 " You may as well say good bye to each other now," said Murlick, in a brutal tone, " for it ain't very likely you'll seo each other again soon, if ever !" Ethel appealed to him, demanding what he meant, but received no reply, save a mocking and triumphant laugh. Capt. Willis comprehended the awful malignity expressed in the villain's words and tone, and said : " Come here, darling I" Ethel went to him, and he whispered a few words of love and encouragement in her ear, kissing her and bidding her not to give way to despair. Ethel embraced him with a fer- vor that brought a diabolical scowl upon Murlick's face, and then went to her father. " Come, hurry up !" said the Confederate. " You can say 4 farewell forever,' in two words, as well as a hundred V* He ordered his men to remove Capt. Willis to a state-room, and himself attended to locking him up securely. He then had Mr. Yale placed in another state-room and similarly se- cured, and returned to the half-fainting girl. " As a special favor to you, my dear Ethel," ho said, " I won't have you ironed or chained. I will take the precaution, however, of locking your door. Good night!" He left her, locking the door behind him and carrying away the key, while the poor girl, moaning in anguish, flung herself on her couch and gave way to her grief. Murlick returned to the deck and ordered all the prisoners in the hold to be taken ashore, ironed as they were, and gave the keys of their irons to one of the men whom he re- leased. Thus, nobody was left on the bark save the Yales, our hero, and the Confederates. The villain then placed a guard in the cabin and went ashore. In the course cf an hour he returned. " And now we'll go !" he said to his men. " Up with the anchor, boys, as quickly as possible, and let's be off!" The order was obeyed, and the bark started out of the bay with a fair wind for the Indian Ocean. The Confederates were jubilant. M And now for a good sleep," muttered the villain, after he 62 THE TRACK OF FIRE ; had issued his orders for the night, and seen that his three prisoners were safe. " I am tired with my three days in a water cask I" He retired to his state-room, in the happy conviction that he was master of the situation, and was soon heard snoring loudly. From the words lie had addressed to the prisoners, and from his treatment of them, they well knew that a terri- ble darkness was before them. " All is lost »ow !" moaned Ethel, as she gave way to a flood of tears, in her solitude. " 0, father ! what will be- come of us ? 0, Edward ! Edward !" The father and the lover, each in his own way, were oppressed by similar emotions. What a terrible night was that upon which they had entered ! CHAPTER IX. A CRUEL SEPARATION. The forebodings of the prisoners, respecting their future were too well-founded. About the middle of the following forenoon, Murlick came to the door of the state-room in which Mr. Vale was confin- ed, and looked in upon him, saying : " Good morning, Mr. Vale, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting until now for your breakfast. The fact is, I over- slept myself, having been thoroughly exhausted by the cares and anxieties of the past week I* ' The merchant did not know what to make of these words, they were so much in contradiction to the villain's former manners towards him, and even to his present appearauCe. For a moment he hoped that reflection had inclined his ene- my to mercy, but the next instant it occurred to him that this unnatural calmness and politeness preluded a worse evil than he had yet suffered. * Breakfast V repeated Mr. Vale, endeavoring to be calm. ' OR, A CRUIBE WITH THE &RATE SEMMES. S3 No apology is necessary, Lieut Murlick, on that score. I. desire nothing to cat !" * Nonsense — You have lost your spirits. I shall seek to restore them !" Ho removed the ball and chain from his prisoner, and conducted him oat of the state-room, seating him beside the table that occupied the centre of the cabin. Mr. Vale did not reply to his address, except with a sigh. Never, in his whole life, had the merchatseen an hour when his heart was more heavy. He had marked the blood-shot eyes of the vil- lain, and the villainous satisfaction expressed on every fea- ture, and noticed that he was somewhat affected by whiskey, his bread tli fairly reeking with it. " I am having a fine breakfast made ready for you," said Murlick, as he in I-'cated the dishes placed on the table. "I will call your daughter, and we will have a sociable time together P He proceeded to Ethel's state-room, and invited her to ap- ■ pear, saying that Mr. Vale was waiting to see her. She join- • ed her father with a sad but affectable greeting, and entered into conversation with him. M My poor child !" the merchant soon exclaimed, reaking I in upon some expression of consolation she was trying to \ impart to him. " It is killing me to see you suffer 1" (They mingled their tears together, * You did not sleep ?" he continued. " No. I could only think of you and Edward !" Murlick turned away with a malignant scowl, Ethel having ; spoken hi a tone too low to reach his hearing, and proceeded to relieve Capt. Willis of chain and ball, and conduct him to the table, with a singulated and hollow politeness. " Now you must all be quiet, and make no effort to escape , or otherwise annoy me," the villain then said. " It is clear that there is a difference of ideas and inclinations among us, but that is no reason why we should not eat breakfast so- so ciably together P He seated himself at tho end of the table, with a bow of 54 THE TRACK OF FIRE J mock politeness, while our hero and Ethel exchanged greet- ings. " May I ask, Lieut. Murlick ?" said Mr. Vale, after a pause, what direction you are steering — where we are going ?" " Well, sir, to the best of my belief," replied the half- drunken villain, " we are stearing northwest, and are bound for almost any destination to which I may be pleased to travel !" Mr. Yale could not fully master his indignation at tins re- sponse, and he accordingly said : " You will yet see trouble, Lieut. Murlick, in the career upon which you have entered. Yon were sent by Captain Semmes to land us at the Cape, and you have no business, as a naval officer, to do anything more or less than your instruo . tions command and warrant !" The villain laughed jeeringly — insultingly. ** And do you really suppose that Capt. Semmes sent mo to the Cape to land you and the rest of your Yankees V* ho demanded, half arising. '* Nothing of the kind. I came here to gain the latest information about the Vanderbili and our other Federal pursuers, and also concerning some new war steamers that Capt. Semmes is daily expecting to report to him here. Land you, indeed ! You must think a load of; Yankees of some account, to suppose that twelve or fifteen! of us would come all this way with you. No. sir, we camel with the intention of going back in a swift steamer, if shoi had made her appearance. Had it not been for this, the prisoners would have been started off alone in the bark, to work their own way to port, as we have so often done by our prisoners heretofore !" These confidences thoroughly exposed the character of the man and of the cause to which his services wero de- Voted. " Well be that as it may/' responded Mr. Yale, " you have jio business to treat us as you have done. It is not possible? that Capt. Semmes, much less the so-called government you. serve, can look approvingly upon such villainy as you haves OR, A CRUISE WITH T1TB MRATK 8EMMES. 55 manifested towards my daughter, Captain Willis, and my- self !" u You arc right, Mr. Vale — Capt. Semmes and the Con- fer lerate government would not look approvingly upon my conduct in this matter — and I will take good care that they do not look upon it at all, either approvingly or otherwise !" A stern rebuke arose to the merchant's lips, but he did not utter it. a realization of his utter helplessness teaching him discretion. He partially subdued his emotion, by the exercise of his stern will, and then remarked : '• You choose to speak in enigmas, Lieut. Murlick !" " Do I ?'' he responded, with an insulting laugh. " You will soon be able to read the riddle !" One of his men appeared at this moment, bearing a large tray filled with refreshments, including almost everything that the well filled larder of a sea-captain can fnrnish. A pot of steaming coffee completed the repast, and yielded auch an agreeable aroma to the air, that Mr. Yale and Capt. Willis felt their appetites returning to them, despite their Borrows. Dismissing his servant — a volunteer from the forecastle — Murlick drew the several dishes around him, and commenced eating. Mr. Vale felt sick at heart as he comprehended that the villain had made such a pretense of giving his prisoners breakfast only to tantalize them. " You can see that I have barejy sufficient for one such learty man as I am" ; the villain remarked, pouring himself i cup of coffee. " I suspect that you will put on airs, if I feed you too well. It seems desirable to teach you, even through this despised medium, as well as in other ways, that . [ am the master of your several destinies !" Chained as he was, Capt. Willis was sorely tempted to irise and seize his enemy. He had measured his strength and felt that he could strangle hiih with his fettered hands % but a timely realization of the horrible revenge the crew of the bark would wreak upon him and his companions, even in oas^of his success, caused him to dismiss the temptation. . $g THIS TftACK 0¥ FiEE; Accordingly not a movement was made by the prisoners, nor a word uttered, while the ruffian ate his breakfast. u There, I feel a little better !" finally declared Murlick, arising, " I am now prepared to attend to business !" He called, and a couple of his men, with loaded pistols in their hands, came out of his state-room. "You can go forward, boys," remarked Murlick to them," and take this mess with you !" The men vanished with the remains of his breakfast, and he then added : " I put them there, as a precaution against any sudden out- burst of rage on the part of any of you. That's all I" He might have added that he had hoped, by his late tanta- lizing proceeding, to lead our hero into some act that would warrant him in calling his men and shooting him down on the spot. The patience and though tf illness of Capt. AVillis had alone prevented this scheme from being carried out. Murlick was silent a moment, lighting a cigar, and then he seated himself at the end of the table opposite his prisoners, and addressed them as follows : . " As indicated, I am now ready for business. I love your daughter, Mr. Tale, and wish to make her my wife, not only for her own intrinsic value, but as the easiest way of settling the old score that existed between us, years ago. You have probably learned by this timo that I can be ugly, and you will probably not be surprised to hear that I ask her hand on a purely business basis. All of you are in my hands, and you can never regain your liberty except on such terms as I ^am pleased to grant — " Say no more on this subject, Lieut. Murlick," interrupted Mr. Vale, with quiet firmness, although his face was deathly pale. "I would sooner see my child in her coffin, than give her to you in marriage. The more I have seen of you dur- ing the past week, the more firmly am I convinced that the destruction of one member of my family already rests at your door. I allude to my lost son — " The awful look of triumph that lit up the savage face of Murlick, caused ths merchant to pause. OR, A CRUISE WITH THE ?IRATE 8EXMZS. 57 A suppressed cry of horror escaped Ethel. " It is clear," 6aid Ned, with forced calmness, " that this man has, as we have all along suspected, the secret of the fate of Ethd's lost brother !" " What folly is this ?" exclaimed Murlick, after schooling : his features and emotions to quietude, " You are talking of i something that does not concern me, and that I do not un- derstand. Let me bring you back to my proposition, Mr. ' Vale. If you will give me Ethel in marriage — for her own consent or non-consent I care nothing — I will forget all my past hatred, be friendly to you, give Capt. Willis his freedom, and make the girl a good husband. Refuse to give her to me, and I will set you both adrift, this night, in a boat, in mid-ocean, and hold the girl captive without any consent at all in the matter 1" » This horrible threat brought Mr. Yale and Capt Willis both to their feet, manacled as they were. Their eyes bias- ed and their forms shook with their emotions. " I give you till to-night to consider the proposal," pursued Murlick, as he rolled his bloodshot eyes from one to the other. u In the meantime, you will do well to realize that I have a force at command to carry the alternative into exe- cution. See here!" He again called, and two more of his men completely armed, came out of his state-room, and stood awaiting his orders. 11 Shut these prisoners up exactly as you disposed of them last night," he commanded, " and thereafter keep guard over them till further notice, looking in upon them every half* hour!" The order was obeyed, and Murlick sauntered on deck. The day wore slowly away, and night came on. The sky was half hidden by scudding clouds, and every- thing threatened, at no distant period, a tempest At an early hour of the evening, the prisoners were taken on deck by several of the confederates, acting tmder MtB^ lick's personal directions. They foun