The Boy Captain of the Black Swallow — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

THE CHALLENGE, that thrilled to his heart. “ Whatis this deter- mination, pray ?” “Letty, 1 did not know that I was over- heard. I came in and found you out— and——” “Don’t try to excuse yourself, as if you were caught trying to steal my handsome mantel ornament,” she said, smiling archly. ‘I have wondered whether you were not coming to-day.” “JT have been busy all day thinking of you and the future.” “LT wo very widely different subjects, [ should think,” E “No; the future is full of you, Letty. I cannot think of it without thinking of you, also. low the sight of my schooner has sur- prised me!’ Who has restored it?” : ‘Now you are jealous. You look exactly as if you thought I had got some handsome young sailor to do it,” “T could never be jealous of you, Letty.” “Jt is of me you must be jealous, then, for I restored it with my own hands.” You?” “Yes, 1. Why do you look go surprised ? It is true Sir Archy gave me a hint or so, but then, I am something of a sailor myself,” “Indeed you are!” he said, looking again at the craft. “And you have called it after me.” “Yes; should I not ?” “ How happy this fresh proof of your love makes me, dearest Letty,” he said, folding her gently in the embrace of one arm, and drawing her form unresistingly towards him till his lips and her brow touched. She then released herself, undetained by him, and laughing to hide her maidenly con- fusion, said: ‘*T want you, sir loiterer, to tell me why you have been so long away.” “JT was thinking of you and my future pro- spects, I have come to a decision, Letty.” “Yes, so I heard you say asl camein. What is it, Arthur ?” “To do something that shall make me more worthy of you. Ihave been long enough idling away my time at the cove.” “Nay, have you not been aiding your mother? »- Certainly you have been useful, though you have not been fighting the battles of your country.” “But I can no longer remain at home in- active. I am poor—very poor. We have hardly the necessaries of life. I can obtain them by doing what I have meditated. I ean make my mother comfortable with the proceeds of my enterprise. 1 can make her happier by. leaving her for a while than staying at home and merely catching a few fish for our daily subsistence,” “What have you resolved upon?” earnestly asked Letty, witha pale cheek anda lip slightly nervous, “Upon trying to get out of the river with the schooner, and making an effort to reach the St. George's Banks, {can there soon fill my 11 vessel, and if I get safely back, can realise a large return of money.” “You say well—if you get safely back, dear Arthur,” she said, seriously, _ “ Why do you think of suchascheme? If itis to elevate yourself in my esteem, I will tell you at once frankly that I do not wish youto go, You will make me much happier by staying at home. It is madness for you to attempt such an enterprise. It is rash—it is cruel! There is no necessity for it. Your mother shall be my mother also, and I will aid you in making her situation com- fortable. I need someone in the inn to supply a mother’s station. Itis not proper I should be so alone, I will inyite her here; she shall aid me in my duties, and she shall have a home,” “How full of generosity is your bosom, Letty! But you forget that my mother has a husband. My father has claims upon her, in- ebriate and lost as he is. No, dear Letty, it is expedient that I should try to do something. Besides, Lam, 1 confess, too proud to let my mother be the recipient of your bounty, dear as you are to me.” * You should not feel so, Arthur.” * T cannot help the feeling. I know you will understand it and pardonit. Letty, I must make an effort. I have decided upon it. I have come to see you to-night to make known my purpose, and to look up three or four enter- prising young men I know, who I have no doubt will join me. My schooner can be got ready in three days.” ‘he young girl remained for a few moments silent and thoughtful. Arthur watched her countenance with anxiety, At length she spoke: “Arthur, I will not be selfish, I know you will feel better and happier to undertake this, Go, I will not say another word against it.” CHAPTER V, THE CHALLENGE, RTHUR looked upon the face of the A beautiful girl, his eyes beaming with “- joyful gratitude for this ready assent ; but when he saw that her eyelashes were glittering with tears she tried in vain to crush and retain, he looked sad and yet felt happy ; sad that his resolve should give one whom he so much loved an instant’s pain, happy that he held so deep an interest in her heart. “T shall return in safety, Letty.” ‘Heaven grant you may! It is a great risk.” “The ‘ Black Swallow’ flies with the wind. Nothing the enemy have can overtake her. I can run out in the night, and by morning’s dawn be far southward of them. I can return in the same way. If I am pursued I can run. ‘'o remain on shore in penury, or worse, to be dependent upon your noble-offered aid, Letty, I will not—cannot! I should despise myself if. E.did-14.7 a “But the peril you will be placed in,” Oo (C@) Gomichook