The Boy Captain of the Black Swallow — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

VHE MINIATURE CRAFT. 5 eomfortable and happy by knitting stockings, I would cheerfully do it,” he answered, calmly, and looking him steadily in the eye, “but Iam petter skilled in mahing such toys as this.” “ Well answered, brave Arthur Denwood,” said a sweet, clear, senerous-keyed voice almost above his head. Looking up at the first floor of the inn, he sew a handsome young girl, with large, black eyes, raven hair, and a soft olive complexion. He gazed for an instant, entranced with sur- prise, at the lovely vision, and a quick, modest blush mounted to his cheek. “Thanks, maiden,’ answered Arthur. “ Your praise more than repays me for this rude fellow’s insult.” “Rude fellow, is it ’” cried the fisherman, who was called Ben Fly. “We must fight on that, young man,” and Ben pulled back his cuffs, knocked back his tarpaulin from his head, and braced himself for the combat. “I have no quarrel with you,” said Arthur, “so do not provoke me,” and he tried to pass him. “ But I have with you!” eried Fly, furiously. “Come, my man, stand your ground,” “J will not be bullied to battle with every brute that chooses to cross me,” answered Arthur, indignantly, butfirmly. “1f you would fight, ehoose one like yoursceli.” “Coward! Poltroon! Flincher!” eried several of the bystanders, for many had come out of the inn on hearing the contention. ‘He is no coward,” audibly said the young girl, compressing her lips as sue gazed upon the secne with deep interest. “You won't fight ?” demanded Fly, coarsely. “Not with you. You can't provoke me.” “Can't 1?” cried the savage, and suddenly snatching the model which Arthur carried, he east if upon the ground and crushed it with his foot. “Shane! kindling eye. ‘“ You'd better come down and fight for him, if you like him so well,” said one of the crowd, Arthur stood fora moment, amazed at the outrage. The next, the ageressor received a blew in the temple which felled him like a pole- axed ox, Lhe shout of exuliation of the mob which was raised at this summary act was instantly changed into expressions of awe and alarm as those nearest him exclaimed: “ He has killed him !” Arthur, upon striking him and seeing him fall, stepped over his body with an air so stern that the men gave him way through their midst. Iie waiked firmly up the street without hurrying his step, or betraying emotion of any kind. He felt that, if the man was killed, he had drawn his fate upon himself, and for his own part, not having done anything he regretted, he resolved not to fly. He returned slowly towards the crowd. As he came near again they were dashing water over the fallen man, but still he Was insensible, et Cruel!” eried Kitty Linn, with a Let me behold him,” said Arthur, in atone of authority. ‘Stand back, men, and iet me see if he is dead. If he is, you have breught it on him, for your shouts and encourageincnt spurred him on. But 1 struck him at the last, net to pleage you, but to punish his insolence. Let me see him.” They stood aside, convinced in their con- sciences that if the man was dead they were equally to blame with the striker of the fatal blow. Arthur knelt on one knee by the side of the silent body, so lately the vehicle of hatred and abuse. How still were those lips out of which had issved fiery words! How dim those half-closed eyes, so lately flashing with anger! How passive and nerve- less those bands, so lately clenched in the strength of fierce range against him! Flow im- potent the feet that had crushed to picves his little handiwork, the fruit of six weelis’ filial toil! He took his pulse between his fingers. * He is not dead! Hand me a sharp-pointed knife, one of you, and a strip of canvas, or something to bind his arm. I will bleed him, and he will revive.” Instantly there was an eager moven:ent among the crowd. Knives were taken out and compared one with another, and the sharpest pointed one was handed to him. He stripped up the shirt-sleeve above his elbow, and then looked round for something to serve as 4 ligature. Pocket-handkerchiefs there were none among the rude fishermen, and one of them took a piece of spun-yarn from his pocket, and was about handing it to him, when several voices exclaimed : 4 “Stand back! here is the innkeeper’s pretty daughter !” They fell back as Letty appeared with a bandage of linen, her fine face expressing both sympathy and womanly firmness. She stooped, and, unrolling the linen, glanced first across to Arthur with mingled admiration and kindness, and then began to bandage the arm. Arthur felt the deep power of her brief glance to his inmost soul. He felt, at the moment, as though he would willingly die to serve one so beautiful and good and courageous. But he did not utter a word. He pressed for the vein, and then with skilful celerity inserted the point of the knife. The blood flowed freely. “ Don’t let it bleed upon the ground,” eried one, “ for the swine are about.” “What harm will thet do?” another. ‘Harm enough. demanded If his blood is lapped up by dog or hog, he will be either mad or dead ere the year's end.” “T have heard tell so,’ answered another, “and I guess it is true.” “Tt willdo no harm,” said the young girl. ‘See, he opens his eyes, Arthur. I ain g'ad you have not killed him; not that he doesn’t. deserve to die, but I would not have his life on your hands, LDesides, to go to the other world,” she added, solemnly, * with anger and fighting in his heart and hand.” “Tam glad he is not dead,” said Arthur, fer- CORMELOC S (©)