Frank Reade Library: Six Sunken Pirates — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

SIX a sw But in spite of all his efforts they slipped by him ina gale one dark night and vanished out to sea. ‘¢ The next morning, however, a small boat was observed riding the waves aot far distant. It had a single occupant. The boat was with- out oars, and it and ‘its occupant were wholly at the mercy of wind and wave. ‘*The Osprey’s long hoat was sent out to pick up the castaway. He proved to be a Spaniard, Alfonso Castanella, and one of the crew of the pirate fleet. ‘¢ He had been punished by his captain and sentenced to be hung at the yard-arm for mutiny. But at night, just before the time of execu- tion, he succeeded in escaping from the hold, and lowering one of the boats, set himself adrift. ‘‘ Alfonso did not hesitate to tell all he knew about his brother free- booters, and the tale he told was indeed a strange one. ‘¢ The six pirate vessels he declared were the Don, the Muriel, the Isabella, the Maria, the Veneta and the Castello. The six captains were all powerful black-bearded men of ferocious temper, and were brothers. ‘¢ Their pbames were Don Miguel, Don Alfo, Colombo, Varian, Fernan- do and Martino. They came of the family De Medina, exilea of Svein, and ander royal ban. They were freebooters not only by nature or from choice, but necessity us well. ‘‘For ten years they had ravaged the western seas and they had made a terrible name. But they had come into the Caribtiean Sea, ag Alfonso Castanella declared, to win the prize which hundreds of free- booters before them had tried in vain for. ‘In the Meduga Cays was an isle upon which dwelt a very intelli- gent and powerful tribe of natives. They were probably kin of that mighty race which founded and built the tremendous city of Palenque and others. ‘‘Upon this Cay in the limpid waters of the Caribbean they had founded a city called Katunda, It was truly a city of gold. ‘* As repute bad it, even the houses were washed with gold, and jewels were set in the doors of the dwellings. The Katunda people were immensely wealthy, as the isle itself was a literal gold mine. ‘©The cupidity of the bold six brothers De Medina was of courage aroused. It became their one great aim to conquer the city of Ka- tunda. ‘‘ The barbaric natives, however, were good fighters, and thus far all freebooters had been repelled. But Don Alfo and his brother swore by their hearta’ blood to conquer Katunda or leave their bones at its door. ‘¢ Learning all this, Captain Bunce of course set sail for the Cay of Katunda. His purpose waa of course to render the natives all the help in his power. ‘“The Osprey sailed due eastward. For a day and a night she kept on. The Cay of Katunda should be in sight; but it was not. ‘« An object in the distance caught the gaze of the lookout. As the ship drew nearer a man was seen clinging to a heap of wreckage. Al- fongo Castanella was intensely excited and leaning over the rail, " shouted: ‘‘It is my brother Ilario. now?” The drifting man was taken aboard and proceeded to give an astounding natrative. ‘‘He said that asthe six pirate vessels came into the harbor of Katanda and opened fire upon the town, there was a tremendous ghock and the whole island and city sauk into the sea. The six ships, embraced in the whirlpool, all foundered and went down. So far as he knew he was the only survivor. and how he had cszaped he knew not, but regarded it as a miracle attributable to the grace of the Holy Motber of Madrid.” Professor Pentlow paused a moment te readjust some of his papers, then resumed: ‘‘This is the whole story, Frank, I leave it to you to draw all con- ‘Clusions. The six aunken pirates and the city of Katunda are fathoms deep in the Caribbean, but their exact location is not Known to living man.” Frank drew a deep breath. “Then you really place credence in this chronicle?” he asked. ‘¢ Of course I do!” replied Pentlow, with some asperity. ‘“<It ia a wonderful narrative,” said Frank. ‘' And if -the sanken vessels could be found-——” ‘‘ An immense fortune could be reaped,” declared the professor, with glittering eyeballs. ‘*‘ Have you thought of any plan by which to recover the treasure?” asked Frank, ‘1? exclaimed the professor. ‘It is not in my power, but one man in this country who can recover that treasure.” ‘* And he——” ‘' Is yourself!” “« Indeed!” ‘‘It is true. You are the inventor and owner of a submarine boat. With that and in no other way can the lost city of Katunda and its . treasures be found.” Saints preserve us, what has happened There is SUNKEN PIRATES. 3 CHAPTER IIL. THE NEW SUBMARINE BOAT. PENTLOW Was very much in earnest, as could be seen. His words were extremely forcible. Jt was true, as he had declared, that Frank Reade, Jr., was the owner and inventor of the submarine boat. To him might be accredited the honor of having solved the prob- lem of submarine navigation. This was surely no light achteve- ment. Frank was cool and matter of fact as he said: ‘That is a pretty strong statement to make, professor. the sunken isle be reached by means of divers?” ‘‘ Possibly, but the main problem is to find it. a certainty with the submarine boat.” The professor, after a moment's reflection, continued: ‘¢] would not bave you misunderstand me. This is not a subtere- foge of mine to enlist your services in my enterprise. The idea has never until this moment suggested itself to me.” ‘¢That statement is unnecessary,” said Frank. you of such a motive. To tell the truth, professor, lam very much interested 1o your story. In fact, I incline to your belief that the sunken isle could be found with the assistance of the submarine boat.” ‘Just so!” cried the professor, eagerly. self. Frank read his mind. He had not the moral or physical courage to ask for that which was the greatest desire of his life. The young inventor smiled. ‘‘ Pentlow,” he said, quietly, ‘‘I know what you are thinking of.” “Eh?” ejaculated the explorer. ‘* Now I'll tell you what to do. wonder, have you?” ‘* Never!” ‘‘Thon run out to Readestown Thursday, this week, and I will gladly show it to you. We will then—have a little talk.” Pentlow reached over and grasped Frank’s hand eagerly. ‘© P'Il do it,” he cried; ‘‘ of course I will. And we will Lave a talk.” ‘« Yes.” The subject was not mentioned again. <A few casual remarks upon other subjects were made and then Frank took his leave. » * All the way home to Readestown [rank sat in the. corner of the Pullman car buried in the deepest of study. When home was reached he was quickly at his post in the great machine works where all his wonderful inventions were perfected. As he entered his private draughting-room a comical little negro dodged iv front of him with a scrape and a bow. ‘Howdy, Marse Frank! Drefful glad to see yo’ back. Hopes yo’ fin’ eberyfing all right here, eah!” ‘‘Pomp,” said Frank suddenly, ‘go over to the geographical room and bring me a chart of the Caribbean Sea.” * All right, sab. But, sab——” ‘ Well?” ‘¢ Does yo’ fink we is gwine fo’ a v’yage on de Sea Mole afo’ long? I jes’ loike to know, sah, fo’ I made a lilly bet wif dat ’ishman Barney O'Shea dat——” ‘¢ Arrab, an’ the more fool me fer the doin’ av it, for if yez lost it yez wud niver pay it, bad cess to yez!” {t was a rich brcgue which interrupted the darkey, and a sturdy son of the Emerald Isle appeared on the acene, with a comical mug and a shock of red hair. He bowed before Frank. ‘‘Top av the day to yez, Misther Frank. home.” ‘¢The same to you, Barney,” replied the young inventor. ‘‘ As to your wager, I will say the Sea Mole will likely be very quickly put in commission. Now, Pomp, the chart, lively!” ‘‘Arrah, now, an’ phwat did I tell yez, naygur!” roared Barney, making a biff at the darkey. ‘Shure, yez kin pay that bet now or take a foine bating!” ‘¢Huh! don’ yo’ fool yo’se’f, chile,” scoffed Pomp, as he made off on his errand. ‘Dar ain’t no suttinty in it, fo’ de Sea Mole ain’t gone iu!” : ‘‘That’s loike yez, an’ a foine way to crawl out av the scrape,” roared Barney, then scraping to Frank, ‘‘shure, I’m at your service, sor.” ‘‘Barney,” said frank, impressively, ‘‘ circulate no reports, but go quietly at work to get the Sea Mole ready for a voyage. Do you see?” The Celt ducked his head. “That'a phwat I was give me two eyes for, sor,” he replied. do jist phwat yez tell me.” And with this he vanished. | Barney ard Pomp were Frank’s two most trusted employees. In- deed he would have been lost without them. The days until Thursday came were occupied with certain secret and mysterious work in the big yard of the machine works. Great vans loaded with provisions drove through the gates. of the town gossips tried to find out what was going on. But they were unable to. And all the while the work went on. noon train a distinguished looking man alighted. . It was Dean Pentlow, the famous traveler, explorer and scientist. Could not This could be made ‘“‘T do not suspect Then he checked him- You have never seen my submarine It’s glad I'am to see yez “Til A few Thursday came and from the (C(O) An) (C JOO SS (C(O)