The Frozen Crew Of The Ice-Bound Ship; Or, Terrors Of The Arctic Region — page 77: what you’re looking at

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

“but there are good spirits who protect the virtu- ous.” ‘“‘ There’s no good comes of a woman, if she once takes to spirits,” whispered Brandy-nosed Nick, who had now sidled up to Panl Jones, in his retreat. Gonzalvi regarded Corah for a moment, and turned pale at her bold and unconscionable lan- guage. “Infamous woman,” the youth proceeded, in a voice trembling wildly with vehemence, “your voice jcins that of some demons, while the elements whisper to me this is some delusion. “Your power,” he continued, “rests but in the idle belief of the ignorant, and false, scandalously false, as your accusations is there are thoughts in this wild brain of mine, that I shall yet live to de- prive you of your unenvied exaltation.” ‘“No more delay,” cried Corah, pointing to Gonzalvi as she spoke. ‘‘ Prepare to lead the cul- prit hence. My injuries demand the instant sacrifice of them.”’ “ Hold !” cried a voice, as the Indians were about to obey the mandate of their queen. It was that of Paul Jones. The next moment he presented himself to their astonished gaze. “Spare him—spare him!’’ continued the Pirate, in a voice of supplication. “I entreat you release your prisoner, and listen to me.” “Tt cannot be,’ returned Manitto, as he com- manded his followers to sheath the knives they had drawn on theintruder. ‘I have been dishonoured in the person of this youth. I have no alternative or middle station ; his post must be high on yon lofty headland; he must sleep at its base, with the white billows of the ocean booming over his senseless corpse.’ “You have the evidence only of the bare word of a woman,” said Paul Jones; “Ihave further proof of the boy’s innocence. Behold !” the speaker continued, drawing Brandy- nosed Nick to his side, “ here is one who can be a witness.” “The blow must be struck at once, or I ahall be betrayed,” muttered Corah, to herself. ‘Warriors,’ she cried, aloud, to the Indians, ‘‘ prepare to strike—your queen commands that the pale-face dies !” *‘ Inexorable woman,” returned Gonzalvi, ‘‘I have maintained silence to save you, but you will blindly rush on your own destruction.” ‘“ What means the Idiot?” ‘¢This : that I can produce a proof of my inno- cence, which neither your husband or your tribe dare dispute.” ‘‘TLet it appear,’ said Manitto, startled at so positive an assertion. “Tt is impossible, chief,” continued the speaker, - “that I can have dishonoured you or yours, since I am——”” “ What 2” interrupted Manitto. “A woman! Woman’s wit, they say, exceeds man’s judgment. It may excel the artifices of her own sex, if we may judge from my triumph over her who would have triumphed over nte.” - Manitto made no reply, but fixed his glance on the livid features of his queen. “ A woman!” ejaculated Paul Jones, in a voice that bespoke anything but composure. “Yes, a woman,” echoed the other; “ Gonzalvi and Emona are one and the same person. Has the like- ness never struck you ?” “ My wife!” «“ Yes, Paul Jones, I am thy wife,” replied Emona ; ‘an ardent affection will excuse the imprudent step I have taken.”’ THE FROZEN CREW AND ICE-BOUND SHIP. af —_——_—— “Your life,” she continued, “I learnt by chancs, was one of peril, and though you had conceal the truth from me, I determined to share poril with you.” “Affection cannot be sufficiently valued,’ peta Paul Jones, ‘‘that could urge you to endure fith hardships undergon2. I can never repay this ingy- timable proof of love and constancy.” Regarding Paul Jones, who clasped her firmly 40 his bosom, EKmona continued— " “Thus have I argued, husband; vice and error were fastening on your soul, with the gripe or @ hideous constrictor, and dragging you away ‘*- wards perdition ; still if one woman truly love, you are not wholly lost.” The bright flashes, and the quick reports of sont dozen muskets, now passed through the defile. The Indians sent back the intimidating yell cf erp as they witnessed the fall of seveval of «ze tribe. Not one of the party could account for tine hostile proceeding. Each, mute with surprise, grasped in an instant his formidabie weapon. After allowing a moment of awful stillness fo enforce his discipline, the well known voice nf Rotaldo was heard, in low murmuring syllables gradually steal upon the ear. “We are lost,” exclaimed Emona, ‘‘ throwing hot- self into the expanded arms of her husband. “Not yet—not yet!’ replied the agitated bvf undaunted Paul Jones, “we are not yet dicoveréd and there is still hope.” Faint, and almost despairing, as was the prosp#t of escape, the words last uttered were not thrown away upon Emona, for it awakened her powers ‘a such a manner that she waited the result in silence. *Can’t we reach the boat?” whispered Brandj7- nosed Nick, ‘‘and sheer off, before the piratical swabs are aware of our being amongst thers infernal niggers. “ We must try for it at all hazards,” replied Paul Jones, suddenly impressed with the importance 9f the seaman’s shrewd remark and forethought, The Indians, overcoming the momentary dicomd- ture, silently repaired to their appointed statigas. These were in fissures of the ice blocks and ottter openings. In both of which they could command éi¢ approaches or passes to the regions. The farther end being ungarded, gave an oppoi- tunity to Paul Jones and his companions to retiie thither without molestation of any kind. They arrived safely at a spot were some stunted marine shrubs had found root. This forming a sort of thicket, seemed a likely place to afford concealment, for a time, at leapt. Paul Jones, with the swiftvess of a deer, darfigd into the refuge. He was followed quickly by Emona, and Brand 7- nosed Nick. Here the fugitives secured themselves, as well as circumstances would permit, among the fragments of ice-rocks, and the pendent vegetation. A long and anxious watch succeeeded, without any further evidences of pursuit on the part of gle pirates. The distant and random guns told they were still in conflict with the Indians. ‘¢T begin to hope,”’ said Paul Jones, after a pause, “ we are out of danger, and that we may venture io make for our boat.’’ ‘Yes, the coast seems clear,’’ observed Nick, ** but like a wreck on a lee shore, I don’t see where we are bound to.” ‘To our hut, of course,” replied Paul Jones; “ tis ; the only asylum in this desolate land.”’