The Frozen Crew Of The Ice-Bound Ship; Or, Terrors Of The Arctic Region — page 93: what you’re looking at

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

THE FROZEN CREW It was even paler and warmer than he feared to find it. Her eye shone with an unnatural lustre as it met his own. She threw her arms around his neck. She caressed and gazed upon him piercingly, but see speaking or indeed seeming able to utter a word. ‘ Be of good heart, Emona,” the husband cried, replying to her placid regards, ‘‘ we are fortunate— yuu are saved. * But,’’ continued he, “ we must not remain idle ; our work is but half finished, our security must be effected—hereafter our escape.” “Captain,” said a voice, whispering in Paul Jones’ ear. He turned, and discovered Nick by his side. A hearty grip of the hand assured him that his fidelity was not forgotten. ‘¢ Yes,” said Nick, in answer to his companion’s greeting, ‘“‘here I am, all my timbers repaired, and ready for a cruise to whatever point of the compass you may choose to steer. ‘Come, mistress,’ he continued, addressing Emona, ‘‘don’t be down-hearted, swab the spray from your bows, and coil up your spirits ; our enemies have more hands ’tis true, and superior weight of metal, what then? Dame Fortune, you know, is not always with the strongest.” “You are a worthy fellow,’ said Paul Jones, “ and I believe as good a seaman as ever set face to weather; your kindness to Emona a ‘ Belay, belay, captain,’ interrupted Nick, “ I’m no such wonder. Bless you, there’s as true men as I, and among the ragamuffins of the El Malachor too, if they dared but to show themselves.”’ “* Indeed 2?” “7 know it, some carry with it a high hand, such as that thief, Nipcheese, but he was to bébought ; he’d sooner have stolen eggs out of a hen-coop than run his thick skull against a brace of bullets. He was left sprawling in the scuffle just now like a frog in a fit.” “Ah, I had forgotten him,” said Fergus Blake, ‘She must not escape, he will do us mischief.”’ With these words the speaker hurried out of the cabin. While waiting with impatience his return, a low whistle was heard, and presently the sound of ap- proaching footsteps. Miamas entered abruptly. “Friends,” he exclaimed, “danger is at hand, and we may have to take refuge in the open region.” “What in the name of heaven is the matter,”’ de- manded Paul Jones, taking the alarm that had seized the rest of his companions. “ fergus Blake is already a prisoner.” Blood was banished from the cheek of Sumach, as she ejaculated— ‘+ And you here to tell it, false hearted coward ; had you one tithe of the spirit I gave you credit for, you would have rushed to the rescue, or left your lifeless body on the spot.” ; “ Had I done so, Sumach would have been sacri- ficed, ‘the Indian replied with a stern coldness. The report of firearms now resounded in the distant valley. “?JTis the death knell of my rival,’ continued Miamas. ‘The Yengeese waif not for edict or tribunal—their captive is shot without the form of either.” The announcement struck Sumach dumb, and she stood in an attitude of despair without speaking a word. ; “If they kill me, they will not do amiss, mured Miamas, regarding her. > mur- — ee a aS, AND ICE-BOUND SHIP. 83 Throwing off his stupefaction. and recovering his spirits he once more addressed Patil Jones, ‘“‘ We are in the very lion’s den,’ the Indian cried aloud, “in the biding-place, and head quarters of the cut throats that seek to destroy us; but by the Great Spirit I will save you from them, and sacrifice my life to prove Sumach has ill-judged me.”’ Paul Jones would have replied, but his words were cut short by those of Miamas. “Hark, they are upon us, and in numbers,” he continued ; *‘if you be not besotted, drag the women by the hand, and follow me.” As he spoke the Indian leapt towards the door. A cry from Paul Jones arrested him. He perceived that Sumach had fainted in the sea- man’s arms. “‘T will take charge of her!” Miamas exclaimed; ‘you look to the others,’’ The Indian snatched Sumach up into his arms as if she had been but a feather. Again he sprang forward, when he was brought to a stand by afar more exciting impediment. A shriek from Zoe, uttered in sudden terror, was echoed by a laugh strangely wild, and expressive of equal triumph and derision. Looking to which the eyes of Miamas fell upon a commanding figure. It was that of the Spaniard, the malicious and revengeful Rotaldo. CHAPTER XXXI. THE LAST EFFORT, There was a grim smile on the writhing features of Rotaldo, as he stood, musket in hand, on the path- way. “Un buen dia,” exclaimed he, with a mockery of friendly accost, and stepping that moment into the interior of the cabin. | To add to the sight which chilled the blood of the spectator, there were to be seen over the Spaniard’s shoulder the gleaming eyes, and heard, behind his back, the malignant laughter of some of his equally fierce and ferocious associates. ‘¢To the door, if thou art aman,’’ cried Miamas in a voice like the blasts of a bugle. He cast Sumach from his arm as he spoke, He eet the example of attack by leaping against the breast of the daring intruder. Rotaldo and Miamas closed and struggled. Both fell together across the threshold. Paul Jones, obeying the Indian’s call, with des- perate and frantic ardour, stumbled over the bodies of the prostrate men. This mishap pitched him headlong into the pas- sage. He however escaped certain death by the accident, three musket balls having been poured upon him trom a distance of scarce as many feet. “Fire,” the voice of Miamas was heard to cry. The next moment a shot struck one of the pirates. The cry of the flying assailant was echoed by fifty comrades, who were now advancing. The foremost were within two yards of Paul Jones. They were levelling their weapons at his almost defenceless person. In this extremity he received unexpected aid. | From the interier of the cabin poured an inces- © sant volley. Not one of the foremost pirates escaped the deadly aini. - All fell, either badly or mortally wounded. a {