The Frozen Crew Of The Ice-Bound Ship; Or, Terrors Of The Arctic Region — page 27: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Se SS 9 THE FROZEN CREW AND ICE-BOUND SHIP. : 21 what good fortune I have in store for them,” returned | whose remark was construed only as a joke by the the Spaniard. ‘‘ Our comrades have only to entrust | party to whom it was addressed. the E] Malacbor into my hands for a month and the “Look before you—look earnestly!’’ continued pieces in their pockets will outnumber the shells in | Black Bill, pointing to the vast expanse of water the ocean. that met the eye on every side. ‘Do you see ‘Besides,’ continued Rotaldo, “since his late | land?” disaster our commander has turned a doating dri- “No,” replied Nipcheese. viller, . ‘“¢ Suppose, then, that you saw it.” ‘‘ When he takes up such a character, it were as “Well?” well he laid down that of a pirate. 66 Suppose, still more, that upon that shore there “‘ Free rovers are not to be ruled by a spell bound | are mountains of sovereigns.” and wayward tyrant.” “ Well >” “ At least they do not profit by it,” argued Black ‘What would you do>”’ asked the imperturable Bill, whose cupidity and superstition were raised | Black Bill, of the equally imperturable and stolid to the highest pitch by his companion’s wily re- | Nipcheese. remarks. ‘“‘T would go and fill my pockets with them, and “Then turn the hands up,” said Rotaldo, “ let the | retire into private life, like many a rogue before me,” crew assemble aft, and see if they will be bound | he replied, with a significant nod, followed by a equally as yourself to mantain me in an enterprise, | contemplation as to what sort of a figure he would which brings them only advantage.” cut under such very desirable circumstances. “Some few may hesitate.” ‘“‘That’s natural enough,’ resumed the other. ‘ If “If the others are favourable to my views, let | the captain objected to it, and commanded that our these fools murmur aught of discontent and I’J] | ship should be steered in an opposite course, what find ready means to crush opposition and enforce | would you do?” | obedience.” | The pirates were hesitating, when a voice offered When we are delivered from great and serious | 4 response— dangers, our mood is or ought to be grave in propor-| ‘‘I don’t know what Nipcheese would do, but the tion to the peril we have escaped and gratitude due to | rest of the crew would obey orders to a man—they protecting providence. would remain at their posts, and not a single sea- But few things raise the spirits more naturally or | man turn traitor to Paul Jones, who deserves their more harmlessly, than when means of extrication | loyalty.” from any of the lesser embarrassments of life are Our readers will no doubt recognise in these senti- suddenly presented to us. ments those of Brandy-nose Nick. And such was the case in the present instance The toper had been taking a siesta, or afternoon with the designing Spaniard, relieved from appre- | Dap in close proximity to the pirates, and had thus hensions, which his plan involved in some measure | unintentionally become acquainted with their con- he spurred on his confidant to complete a matter | versation. which now appeared one entirely of his own free| ‘“‘ What devil has conveyed you here?” cried Black choice. Bill, startled at the sudden and unceremonious in- trusion. ar “No devil at all,” replied Nick. “I came hither of my own accord, to couch in yonder hammock, CHAPTER VII. but the devil a wink of sleep could I get for your infernal jawing-tackle. But, bad as things may A FLAME OF DISCORD SPREADS AMONG THE PIRATE | Seem, my heart is never so low in the hold but the CREW.—SPIES ON BOARD. smallest drop of comfort can bring it up again,” continued the speaker, moistening his clay with a draught from his favourlte bottle. “Since you have overheard what has passed,” said Black Bill, “tell us what you think of our project.” ‘‘ Well, as far as I can judge,” replied the sea- map, with that air peculiar to drunken gravity, ‘‘I Black Bill found little difficulty in lighting the fire | must say, though I don’t assert it for a fact, that I of discord among the band, but left the arch conspir- ator, Rotaldo, to fan it to a fame. “‘ Patience, messmates, patience,’’ cried the former, restraining a part of the crew who had listened eagerly to his recital, “our deliverer will accomplish all I have promised in his name.” “ When will this finish ?” “ Let the master hand guide the wheel, and wait for his signal.” ‘“‘ We shall be ready.’’ ‘‘T am counting for you.” “ Listen, Black Bill,’ said Hal Harpoon, beginning to doubt whether he and the rest had not been too hasty in deserting Paul Jones, who, despite appear- ances, was admired by the crew. “The tale you tell us about the fields and rivers of gold is very plea- sant and my ears tingle with the recollection of it, but if it were true fe ‘It is true,’ interrupted Black Bill, “why what the foul fiend is the matter with you? Do you sup- pose I intend to grab the ship for a mere pastime.” “No, Black Bill, we don’t doubt your honesty of purpose, but can hardly realise a shower that by holding out -our caps we may fill them with falling The words were scarcely uttered, when poor golden dollars.” Nick found himself a prisoner, mannacled, and in The individual who had uttered these words was | the keeping of the negro, Caesar, for whom he en- one rejoicing in the somewhat unmelodious name of | tertained a most admired aversion. Nipcheese whose stupidity allowed him a license and | “Well,” he cried, maintaining his usual non- see no end to this plotting, save that it will put the skipper on his guard.” ‘* Ah! would you dare ——” ‘‘Y tell you what, Black Bill,’’ continued Nick, in a vain attempt to look sober, ‘‘ It’s lucky for you I have not taken my usual medicum this morning, or I should tell you——”’ ‘6 What ?” ‘¢Why, I should tell you that you are turning the brains of our shipmates with your treacherous histories—that you are decoying the crew into the devil’s service—that you are a rascal, a robber, a blackguard, a good-for-nothing # ‘“Cut that fellow’s cable, and leave his sheet anchor five fatlfom and a half in the billows,” cried out Rotaldo, who, unseen, had advanced to the spot. —————— Ee eee Connicbooks.c©