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o TI1K Ht'KIJNdTOX, YT PRESS. tion, or sometimes by an exchange of tearful looks, wo would draw our conclusion that the talk had gono to the old subject and tha shad ow of tho dead was In tho hall. I have hours when I blamo Mr. Henry for taking all too patiently; yet wo nro to re member ho was married In pity, aud nccept od his wlfo upon that term. And indeed ho had small encouragement to make o stand, Once, I remember, ho announced ho had found a man to replace tho puns of the stained window; which, ns It was ho that managed nil the bu-iness, was a thing clearly within ln nttnliutums. But to tho master's fancies thaj pnno was liko ft rollc, mid on the fhvt word "i any chnngo tho blood ilow to Mm. Henry's faec. 'I wonder at you!" sho cried. "I winder at myself," says Mr. Henry, w ith more of bitterness than I had ever heard him to express. Thereupon my old lord stepped in with bis smooth tulk, so that beforo tho meal was at nn end all seemed forgotten! only that, after' dinner, when tho pair had withdrawn as usual to tho chluiuoy sido, wo could see her weeping with her head upon hU knee. Mr. Henry kept up tho talk with mo upon some topic of tho estates ho could speak of llttlo elso but business, and was never the best of company; but ho kept it up that day with moro continuity, his eye straying over and again to tho chimney and his voice changing to another key, but without check of deliv ery. Tho pane, however, was not replaced; ami 1 believo ho counted it a great defeat. "Whether ho was stout enough or no, God knows ho was kind enough. Mrs. Henry had n manner of condescension with him, such as (in a wifo) would have pricked my vanity into an ulcer; ho took it Iiko a favor, Sho held him at tho stairs cud: forgot and then re incmbered nnd unbent to him, as wo do to children; burdened him with cold kindness; reproved him with a change of color and a bitten lip, llko ouo shamed by his disgrace; ordered him w ith a look of tho eye, when tho was off her guard ; when sho was on tho watch, pleaded with him for tho most natural attentions as though they were unheard of in vol's. And to nllhN, ho replied with tho most iinwc:rid service; loving, as foil: say, t lie very ground sho trod on, and carrying that lovo in ins eyes us bright as n lamp. Such was the state of this family down to the th of April, 7W. when tliero" befell tho first of that series of events which were to break so many hearts ami lose so many lives. CHAPTER nr. CNKxrECTi:n xi:vs ok thi: master CKIVEIl AT llLTlUlIbUUKIt. told mo tliero one below that lied to speak with tho steward sneering at t ue name of my oillce. I asked what manner of m a n, and whut his name was; and this dis closed tho cause of W li W'C- ''Quits in nuraor; Mw yrr for it appeared the r i visitor retuscd to namo himself except to mo, a sore affront to the major-domo's consequence. "Well,'" s,iid I, smiling a little, "I will sea what lie w ant.-." I fount! in Urn entrance, hall a big man, very plainly habited aud wrapped in a se.i rlnak, li':e t v ue,v landed, as indeed ho was. Not f jr off Maccouochie whs standing, with Ins tu'.ig'ie out of his mouth and his hand iiiDii hi.-, I'iiln, lileo a dull fellow thinking h ' ' ; a nl tho M ranger, who had brought his ..b.i.a iiis face, appeared uneasy. Ho I i.i - oner seen me coining than ho went t" 1. 1- .'t mo with an effusivo manner. "My dear man," said he, "a thousand apologia-, for disturbing you, but I'm in the most awkward position. And theru's a son of a ramrod tliero that I should know tho looks of, aud moro betoken I believo that he knows iniuo. Being in this family, sir, and in a liloco of some responsibility (which was tho cause 1 took tho liberty to send for you), you are doubtless of tho honest party!"' "You may bo suio, at least," bays I, "that all of tht party ure quite safo in Durris deer." "My dear man, It is my very thought,' fays he. "You see, I have just been set on shore here by a very honest man, whoso name 1 cannot remember, nnd who is to stand off nnd on for mo till morning, at some dauger to himself ; und, to ba clinr with you, I am ft little concerned lest it should be at soma to me. I havo saved my life so often, Mr. I forgot your naui, which is a very good one that, faith, I would bo very loath to loo it after all. And tho won of n ramrod, whom I believo 1 saw before Carlisle" "Oh, sir," said I, "you can trust Maccon ochie. until to-morrow." "Well, nnd it's a delight to hear you say so," says the stranger. "Tlie truth is that my name is not a very suitable one 111 this country of Scotland. "With a gentleman like you, my dear man, I would have no conceal ments of courne; and, by your leave, I'll just breatho It in your car. Thoy call me Fran cis Burke Col. Francis Burke; and I am here, at a most damnable rick to myself, to ee your masters if you'll excuso mo, my Rood man, for giving tbem tha name, for I'm sure It's a circuuistauce I would never huve guessed from your appoaranco. And if you would just be so very obliging as to tnko my nnnia to thenvyou might say that I come bearing letters which I am sure they will be ry rejoiced to havo the reading of." Col. Francis Uurke was one of the prince's Irishmen, that did his cause such an infinity 6t hurt, nnd were so much distasted of the Boots nt tho timo of tho rebellion; and it came at once into my mind how tho Master of Ballantrue had astonished all men by going vith that party. In tho same moment a rtrong foreboding of tho truth possessed my soul. "If you will step in here," said I, opening a Chamber door. "I will let my lard know." "And I am sura it's very good of you, Mr. Wjat-ls-yourruame," say the colonel. tjp to tho hall I went, flow footed. There thoy were, all three, my old lord in his place, Mr. Henry at work by tho window, Mr. Ilenry (as was much his custom) pacing the low end. In tho midst was the table laid for upper. I told them briefly what I had to say. My old lord lay back In hU seat. Mrs. Henry sprung up standing with u mechanical motion, and she and her husband stared nt each other's eyes across tha room; it was tho strangest, cVallehging Jook thata two ex changed, and as thoy lookud tha color faded lu their face. Than Mr. Ilenry turned to toe, not to speak, oily to sign with his finger; but that was enough, and I want down ecain for tho colonel. When we returaad, those throf wero in much the eama position I had left them In. 1 believe no word had passed. "My Lord DurrisdDw, no doubt!" says the colonol, bowinjj, and mjr lord bowed In Rwar, ''And this," oootinnmi tha colentl, ould b the Master of BlUntruo" I have never takan that uuma," said Mr. Hsnry; 4butl uui Henry Durio. ut your ser- -gs U AS sitting in my wSwW!? room on that day JK&W i,.ti.. i.f,... .,;. ffMMi l,el' " 11011 -J"!'" MM W , 't open t he Mkbm ity of knocking, MiHi,l 1 WAM. wis IP Then tho colonel turns to Mrr, henry, bow ing witli his lint upon his ln-ii t and the mowt killing uirs of gnUiuitry. "There run bo no tnlstnko about so lino a figure ot a lady," says ho. "I uddrcs thn seductive Miss Alison, of whom I havo s ofleu heard! Onco moro husband and wife exchanged a look. "I am Mrs. Henry Durie," said she; "but beforo my marriage my namo was Alison Oraemo." Then my lord spoko up. "I am nn old man, Col. Burke," said he, "and n frail ono. It will Iki mercy on your part to bo expedi tious. Do you bring mo nows of" ho hesi tated, and then tho words broko from him with a singular changaof voice "my sou?" "My dear lord, I will be round with you like n soldier," said tho colonol. "I do." My lord held out a wnvoring hand; ho soomed to wavo a signal, but whether it was to givo him time or to speak on, was more then wo could gtioss. At length he got out tho ono word "Good!" ""Why, tha very best In tho creation," crlee tho colonel. "For my good friend end ad mired coinrado is at this hour In the fine city of Paris, and as llko as not, If I know any thing of his habits, ho will be drawing In bis choir to a ploca of dinner. Bedad, I believe tho lady's fainting." Mrs. nenry waftJndeed the color of death, and drooped against the window frame. But when Mr. Henry mado a movomont as if to run to her, sho straightened with a sort of shiver. "I am well," sho said, with her white lips. Mr. nonry stopped, nnd his face had a strong twitch of anger. Tho noxt moment ho had turned to tho colonel. "You must not blamo yourself," says he, "for this effect on Mrs. Durlo. It is only natural; wo wore all brought up llko brother and sister." Mrs. Henry looked at her husband with something llko relief or even gratitude, In my way of thinking, that speech was the fii-bt step ho made la her good graces. "You must try to forgive mo, Mrs. Durlo, for indeed and I am just nn Irish savago," said the colonel; "and I deserve to bo shot for not breaking tho matter moro artistically to a lady. But here nro tho master's own letters ono for each of tho tbreo of you; and to bo suro (If I kuow anything of my friend's genius), he will tell his own story with n better grace." Ho brought tho three letters forih ns'ho spoko, arranged them by thoir superscrip tions, presented thonrstto my lord, who took it greedily, and advanced toward Mrs. Henry holding out tho second. Tin lady waved it back. "To my hus band,'' says she, with a choked voice. The colonel was a quick man, but at this ho was somewhat nonplused. "To bo sure," says lie, "how very dull of inol To bo sure." But lie still held the letter. At last Mr. Henry reached forth his hand, and tliero was nothing to bo done but give it up. Mr. Henry took tho letters (both hers and his own) and looked upon their outside, with his brows knit hard as if he were think ing. Ho had surprised ino all through by his excellent behavior; but he was to excel him self now. "Let mo givo you n hand to your room," said ho to his wife. "This has come some thing of tho suddeuobt; and at any rate, you will wih to read your letter by yourself." Again sho looked upon him with tho same thought of wonder, but ha gavo her no time, coming straight to whero she stood. "It will bo better so, bt lieve me," -aid he, "and Col. Burke is too considerate not to excuso you." And with that ho took her hand by tho fingers and h i! her from the hall. Mrs. Henry returned no moro that night; and when Mr. Henry went to visit her next morning, us I heard long afterward, she gavo him the letter again, still unopened. "Oh, read it aud bo dona!" ho had cried. "Sparo me that," said she. And by theso two speeches, to my way of thinking, each undid a great part of what they had pre musly dono well. But tho let ter, suro euough, oamu into my hands, and by me was burned, unopened. To bo very exact a.s to tho adventures of tho master after Culloden, I wroto not long ago to Col. Burke, now a chevalier of tho Or der of St. Louis, begging him for 6oraa notes in writing, sinco I could scarce depend upon my memory at so great an interval. To con fess tho truth. I have been soruowhat om barrassod by his responso; for he sent ma thu complete memoirs of his life, touching only in places on tho master ; running to a much greater length thmi my wholo story, and not everywhere (as it seems to me) dosigued for edification. He begged in his letter, dated from Etlenheim, that I would find a pub lisher for tho whole, nfter I had made what use of it I required; and I think I shall best answer my own purpose and fulfill his wUheu by printing certain parts of it in full. In this way my readers will have a dotalled and, I believe, a very genuine account of some es sential matters; aud, if any publisher should take a fancy to tho chevalier's manner of narration, he knows where to apply for tho rest, of which thero is plenty at his servico. I put in my first extract hero, to that it may stand in tho place of what the chevalier told us ovor our wine in tho hall of Durrisdeer; but yiiu are to suppose it was not the brutal fant, but a very varnished version that he offered to my lord. CHAPTER IV. THH MASTER'S WATJDEJUrf GB, FROM TIIE 1TB MOIKS OV THE CnnVAXIER E DU11KE. LEFT Ituthvon (it's hardly neces sary to remark) with much greator satisfaction than I had como to it; but whether I missed my way iu tho des erts,or whether my companions failed me, I soon found myself alone. This was a predicament very disagrecablo; for I never under stood this horrid eountry or savage people, and tbo last stroke of the prince's withdrawal had made us of thn Irish moro unpopular than ever. I was ro flooting on uiy poor chances when I saw another horseman on the hill, whom I sui posed ut first to have been a phantom, tha news of his death in tho very front at Cullo den being current in tho army generally. This was the Master of Ballantias, my Lord Durrisdeer'B son, a young nobleman of the rarest gallantry and parte, and equally de signed by uature to adorn a court and to reap luurels lu tho field. Our mooting was tho more welcome to both, as he was ono of tho few Scots who had used the Irish with con sideration and us he might now b3 of very high utility in aiding my escape. Yet what founded our particular friendship was a cir cumstance by itsslf, as roinHUtic as any fuble ot King Arthur, This was on tho second day of our flight, after we had slept ous night in tho rain upon tha inclination of u mountain. There was an Appln man, Alan Black Stewart, who chanced to bo passing tha same way, and had a jeal ousy of ray companion. Very uncivil ex pressions wore exchanged, aud Btewart culls upon the master to aliaht and have it out. "Why, Mr, Htewart," says tho master, "I think at the present time I would prefer to run a rnee with you." And with the word chins sour Ui his urs0 (Stewart ran nfter us a rhildMi tiling to do for mo:v tlriu a mile; and I could not luilp laughing us 1 looked bark at hist nnd saw him on n hill, holding his hands to his sido nnd nearly burst with running. "But nil tho same," I could not help snylng to my compnlnion, "I would let no man run after ino for any such proper purpose and not give him his desire. It was a good jest, but it smells a triflo cowardly." Ho bent his brows nt mo. "I do pretty well," says ho, "whon I saddle myself with tho most unpopular man lu Scotland, and let that suffice for courago." "Oh, bodad," says I, "I could show you a more unpopular with the naked eyo. And if you llko not my company you can 'saddlo' yourself on some ono else." "Col. Burke," says ho, "do not let us quar rel; and to that effect lot mo assure you I am tho loast pationt man in tho world." "I am as little pationt as yourself," said L "I care not who knows that." "At this rate," said ha, reining in, "we shall not go very far. AiA I proposo wo do ono of two things upon tho instant i either quarrel and bo dono, or make a sure bar gain to bear everything at each other's Lands." "Like a pair of brothcrsf said I. "I said no such foolishness," ho replied. I have a brother of my own, and I think no more of htm than of a colewort, But if wo ore to havo our noses rubbed together in this courso of flight, let us eaoh dare to lie our selves llko savages, and caoh swear that he will neither resent nor deprocato the other, I am a pretty bad follow at bottom, nnd I find the protonso of virtues very irksomo." "Oh, I am as bad a yourself," said L "There is no skim milk in Francis Burko. But which is it to be? Fight or make friends?'1 ""Why," says he, "I think it will bo tha best manner to spin a coin for it." This proposition w as too highly chivalrous not to take my fancy; and, strange as It may soem ot two well boru gentlemen of today, we spun a half crown (like u pair of oncieut paladins) whether wo wero to cut each other's thronta or bo sworn friends. A moro roman tic circumstance can rarely havo occurred ; and it is ono of thoso points in my memoirs by which we may bco tho old tales of Homer nnd tho poets aro equally truo today, at least of the noblo and genteol. The coin fell for pence, mid wo shook hands upon our bargain. And then it was that my companion ex plained to mo his thought in running away from Mr. Slewart, which was certainly worthy of his political iutellect. Tho report of his death, ho said, was a great guard to him; Mr. Stewart having recognized him, had become a danger, aud ho had taken tho briefest road to that gentleman's silence. "For," says he, "Alan Black is too vain a man to nnrruto any such story of himself." Toward uf tornoon wo came down to tho shores of that loch for which wo wero head ing; and thero wns tho ship but newly come to anchor. She wa tho Saintc-Marie-des-Anges, of tho port of Havre do Grace. Tho maeter, ufter wo had signaled for n boat, asked ma if I knew tho captain. I told him ho was a countryman of mine, of tho most unblemished integrity, but, I was afraid, a rather timorous man. "So matter," says he. "For that, ho should certainly hear tho truth." I asked him ii ho meant about the battle; for, if tho captain once knew tho standard wus down, bo would certainly put to sea again at once. "And even then I" said ho; "the arms are now of no sort of utility." "My dear man," said I, "who thinks of the arms I But to bo sure w e must remember our friends. They will be closo upon our heels, perhaps the prince himself, and if tho ship be gone, a great number cf vuluable lives may bo imperiled." "Tho captain and tho crow have lives also, if you come to that," says Ballantrao. This I declared was but a quibble, and that I would not hear of tho captain being told; and then it was that Ballantrao made mo a witty answer, for tho sako of which (and also bocauso I have been blamed myself in this business of the Saintc-Mario-dcs-Anges) I havo related tha whole conversation as it passed. "Frank," says he, "remember our bargain. I must not object to .your holding your tongue, which I hereby even encourage you to do; but by the same terms you are not to resent my telling." I could not help laughing at this; though I still forewarned him what would come of it. "Tho devil may come of it for what I core," says tho reckless fellow. "I have alway.Jone exactly us I felt inclined." As is well known, my prediction came true. Tho captain had no sooner heard the news than ho cut his cable and to sea again; and beforo morning broke we were in the Great Minch. Tho ship was very old; and the skipper, although tho most honest ot men (and Irish too), wo3 ono of tho least capable. Tho w ind blow very boisterous, aud the sea raged ex tremely. All that day we had little luart whether to eat or drink; weut early to rest in some concern of mind; and (as if to givo us u lesson) in tho night tho wind chop(H.d suddenly into tho northeast and blew a hur ricane. We were awaked by tho dreadful thundor of tho tempest and the stamping of tho marines on deck; so thut I supposed our last hour was certainly como; and tho terror of my mind was increased out of all measure by Ballantrao, who mookod nt my devotioiw. It is In hours liko theso that a man of any piety appears in his true light, and we find (what wo are taught as babes) tho small trust that can bo set in worldly friends; I would be unworthy of my religion if I lot this pass without particular remurk. For three days wo lay in tho dark in tho cabin, and had but a biscuit to nibble. On tho fourth the wind fell, leaving tho ship dismasted and heaving on vat billows. The captain had not n gues of whither wo were blown; ha was stark ig noraut of his trade, and could do naueht but bless the Holy Virgin; a, very good thing too, but scarce tho whole of seamanship. It seemed our one hope was to bo picked up liy another vessel ; and it that should prove to bo nn Euglish ship, it might lie no great blessing to the master and myelf. Tho fifth and sixth days we tossed thero helpless. The seventh sbmo sail was got on her, but she was uu unwieldy vessel at the best, und wo made littlo but leeway. All the time, indeed, we had ln-en drifting to tha south aud west, and during the tempest must have driven in that dirootion with unheard of violence. The ninth dawn was cold nnd black, with a great beu running, and every mark of foul weather. Iu this situation we wero overjoyed to sight n small ship on the horizon, aud to perceive her go about and head for tho Sainte-Marie. But our gintlil cutton did not very long endure; for when sho had laid to and lowered a bout It was im mediately filled with disorderly fellows, who sung and shouted as thoy pullod ucross to us, and swarmed iu on our deck with buro cut lasses, oursing loudly. Their loader was u horrible villain, with his faco blacked and his whiskers curled in ringlets; Teach, his name; a most notorious pirate. He stamped about the deck, luring anil crying out that his name wiw Baton and his ship was called Hell. There wus something about him llko a wicked child or a halt witud person that daunted mo boyond oxprwsviou. 1 whispered m tho ear of Ballantrue that I would not bo the last to volunteer, and ouly prayed God they might bo short of hands; he upprovod my purpose with u nod, "Bedad,'' salil I i. Master Ti neh, "if yrw niii Kitnii. lu re is n dlvil f. r je " The word ili'a'"l him ; and (not to ilw4l iilion thesusliookins ini idenls) Ilnllaiitrau nnd 1 nnd two others wero taken fur recruits, while tho skipper and' all tho rest wero cast Into tho sen by the method of walking tho plank. It was the first time I had seen this dono; my heart died within ine nt tho spec tacle; and Muster Touch or ono of his aco lytes (for my head wns too much lost to bo precise) remarked upon my palo faco inn very nlarmiug niaimor. I had tho strength to cut n step or two of a jig aud rry out some ribaldry, which saved me for that time; but my legs wero llko water when I must get down into tho skiff among theso miscreants; and what with my horror of my company and fear of tho monstrous billows, it was all I could do to keep an Irish tongue and broak a Jest or two as we wero pullod aboard. By tho blessing of God, thero was a flddlo In tho pirato ship, which I had.no sooner seen than IfeU upon ; and in my quality of crowdor I had tho heavenly good luck to get in favor in their eym. Crowding I'at was the name they dubbed me with, and it was little I cared for a namo so long as my skin was whole. What kind of a pandemonium that vessel was I cannot deecrlbo, but sho was com manded by a lunatic, and might be called a floating Bedlam. Drinking, roaring, singing, quarreling, dancing, thoy vers nover all so ber at ono tlmo ; and there were days together when, if a squall had supervened, it must havo sent us to the bottom, or if a king's ship had como along, It would havo found us quite helpless for defense. Onco or twice wo sighted a sail, and, it wo wero bober enough, overhauled It, God forgive usl and if wo wero all too drunk, sho got away, and I would bles3 tho saints under my breath. Teach ruled, if you can call that rulo which brought no order, by tho terror he created; and I observed the man was very vain of his position. I have known marshals of France, ay, aud even Highlaud chieftains that wero less openly puffed up; which throws a singu lar light on tho pjirsiiit of honor and glory. Indeed tho longer wo live, tho more wo per ceivo tho sagacity of Aristotle nnd tho other old philosophers; and, though I have all my lifo been eager for legitimate distinctions, I can lay my hand upon my heart, nt tho end of my career, and declare thero is not ono no, nor yet life Itself which is worth acquir ing or prsierviug at tho slightest cost of dignity. It wns long beforo I got private 6peech of Ballantrao; but nt length one night we crept out upon tho boltsprit, when the rest wero better employed, and commiserated our po sition. "Nono can deliver us but the saints," said I. "My mind is very different," said Ballan trao; "for I am going to deliver myself. This Teach is tho poorest creaturo possible; we inako no profit of him and lio continually open to capturejnnd," says ho, "I am not go ing to bo a tarry pirato for nothing, nor yet to hung in chains if I can help it." Aud he told mo what was in his miud to better the stato of tho ship in tho way of discipline, which would give us safety for tho present, and u sooner hope of deliverance when they should havo gained euough aud should break up their company. I confessed to him ingenuously that my nerve was quilo shooK among these horrible sur roundings, and I durst scarce tell him to count upon me. "I am not very easy frightened," said he, "nor very easy beat." A few days after there befell an accident which had ucarly hanged us all, and offers tho most extraordinary picturo of tho folly that rilled in our concerns. Wo wero ull pretty drunk, and somo bedlamite spying a sail, Teach put the ship about in clmso with out a glance, and we began to bustle up tho arms and boast of tho horrors that should follow. I observed Ballantrae stood quiet in tho bows, looking under tho shade of his hand; but for my part, truo to my poliey aniong these savages, I was nt work with the Visiest, and passing Irish jests for their diver sion. "Itun up tho colors," cries Teach. "Show tho stlio Jolly Roger I" It was tho merest drunken braggadocio at such a stage, and might have lost us a valu able prize; but I thought it no part of mine to reason, and I rau up the black flag with my own hand. Ballantrao steps presently aft with a smile upon his face. "You muy perhaps like to know, you drunken dog," says he, "that you are chasing a king's ship." Teach roared him the He; but he ran at the same time to the bulwarks, aud so did they all. I have never seen so many drunken men struck suddenly sober. Tho cruiser had gone ubout, upon our impudent display of colors; she was just Uien filling on tho uw tack; her ensign blow out quite plain to see, and even a we starod, tliero camo a puff of sinoko, and then a report, and n shot phyiged in tho waves a good way short of us. Some ran to tho ropes and got tho "Sarah" round with mi incrediblo swiftness. One fellow fell on tho rum barrel, which stood broached upon the deck, and rolled it promptly over board. On my part, I mado for the Jolly Roger, struck it, t-sed it iu the sea, anil could have flung myself after, so vexed was 1 with our mismanagement. As for Teach, ho grow aj palo as death, and incontinently weut down to his cabin. Old' twico he caio on deck thut afternoon; went to the tuurail; took u long look at tho king's ship, which whs still ou tha horizon heading utter lis; nud then, without speech, back to his cabip. You may say ho doserted us; nnd if it had not been for one very capable sailor wo had on board, and for the lightness of tho airs that blew all day, we must certainly havo gone to the yard arm. It is to bo supposed Teach was humiliated, and, perhaps, alarmed for his position with tho crew; and the way In which ho set about regaining what ho had lost was highly char acteristic of tho man. Early next day we smelled him burning sulphur in his cabin and crying out of "Hell, hell J"' which was well understood among the crew, and filled their minds with npprehensiou. Presently ho comes on deck, a perfect figure of fun, his fuco blackened, his hair nud whiskers curled, his belt stuck full of pistols, chewing bits of glass so that thu blood ran down his chin, and brandishing a dirk, I do not kuow if ho had taken these manners from tho Indians of Americii, whero ho was a native; but such was his way, aud ho would ulways thus an nounce that ho wo3 wound up to horrid doods. Tbo first that camo near him was tho fellow w ho had sent the rum overboard tho day beforo; him ho stabbed to the heart, damning him for a mutineer; and then ho capered obout tho body, raving and swearing and daring us to come on. It wus the silliest exhibition; and yet dangerous too, for the cowardly fellow was plainly working himself up to another nuvdrr. All of a sudden Ballantrae stepped forth. "Have done with this play aering," says he. "Do you think to frighten us with making faces! We saw nothing of you yesterday when you wore wanted; and wii did well without you, let me tell you thut." Tliero was a murmur and a movement In tho crew of pleasure and alarm, I thought, In nearly equal parts. As for Teach, he g"VB a barbarous howl, and swung his dirk to fling it, an art iu which (like many seaman) ho was very expert. "Knock that out of his hand!" says Bal lantrao, SO bUiikU iUld fhnrn flint mv nrm ol)"ynrl him lielrnv n: mind h.id uu 'ei-stiifiil, I ",ieli stood llko ono stupid, never thinking ot his pislol. "Go dow n to your cabin," crlos Ballantrae, "and como nn deck again when you are so ber, Do you think wo nro going to hang for you, you black faced, half wltted, drunken bruto and butcher? Go down!" And ho stnlnped his foot nt. hlin with such n sudden sninrtness that Tench fairly ran for it to tho companion. "And now, mates," says Ballantran, "n word with you, I don't know if 3011 aro gentlemen of fortune for thn fun of tho thing; bu I am not, I want to make money, nnd get n.Oioro ugnlii, ami spend it liko a man. And on ono thing my mind Ismadoup I will not hang if I can help It. Como, give 1110 n hint; I'm only n beginner! Is there no way to get a littlo discipline nud common scusu about this buiness(" Ono of tho men spoke up; ho said by rights thoy should havo .a quartermaster; ami no sooner was tho word out of bis month than they wero nil of that opinion. Tho tiling went by acclamation; Ballantrao wns made quartermaster, tho rum wns put in hisclmrgo, lows wero passed In imitation of those of 11 pirato by tho name of Roberts; and tho lat jiroiosal was to make an ond of Tench. But Ballantrne was afraid of 11 moro efficient cap tain, who might bo a counterweight to him self, and he opposed this stoutly. Teach, he said, was good enough to board ships and frighten fools with his blacked face and swearing; wo could fcurco get a better man than Teach for that; and besides, as tho mim was now disconsidered and ns good as deposed, wo might reduce his proportion of tho plun der. This carried it; Tench's shore was cut down to a racro derision, being actually less than mine; and thero remained only two points whether ho would consent and who wns to announce to him this resolution. "Do not lot that stick you," snys Ballan trae, "I will do that." And ho steppod to tho companion and down ulone Into tho cabin to face that drunken savago. "This is the man for us," crios one of the hands. "Three cheers for the quarter masterl" which wero glvon with a will, my voico among tho loudest, and I daro say these plaudits had their effect on Master Teach in tho cabin, as wo havo 6een of lato clays how shouting in tho streets may trouble even tho minds of legislators. What passed precisely was never known, though somo of tho heads of it camo to the surfaco lator on; and wo wero all amazed as well as gratified when Ballantrae camo on deck with Teach upon his arm, and an nounced that all had been consented. CHAPTER V. CUIU0U3 AND iionmiiLE EXPERIENCE on BOAUD A huate suir. PASS swiftly over those twelve or fif teen months In which wecoutinued to keep the sea in tho Xorth Atlantic, getting our food and wntor from the ships wo overhaul ed and doing on tho whole a pretty for tunate business. In the meanwhile our ship was grow ing very foul, and it was high time wo should make for our port do carro- nage, which was In the estuary of a river nmong swamp. It was openly understood that wo should then break up and go nnd squander our proportions of tho spoil; and tins made every man greedy of a little more, so that our decision was delayed frovi day to day. What finally decided matters was a trifling accident, such as an ignorant person might suppose Incidental to our way of lifo. But hero I must explaiu; on only ono of all the ships we boarded tho first on which we found women did we meet with any genuine resistance. On thatoccasion wo had two men killed and several injured, and if it had not been for the gallantry of Ballantrae, we had lurely been beat back at last. Everywhere flso the defense (where there wns nuy at all) was what the worst rroops in Europe would have laughed at; so that the mott dangerous part of our employment was to clamber up thu side of the ship; anil ,1 have even known the jKior souls on board to cast us a line, so eager wero thev to volunteer instead of walk ing tho plank. This constant immunity had made our fellows very soft, 60 that I under stood how Teach had mado so deep n mark upon their minds; for indeed the company of that lunatic was the chief danger in our way of life. The accident to which I liavo re ferred was this. Wo had sighted n llttlo full rigged ship very closo under our board in a haze; she sailed near us well ns we did I should x near tho truth if I said near ns ill; and we cleared the bow-chaser to ksj if wo could bring n spar or two about their ears. Tho swell was exceeding great; thu motion of the ship beyonddescription; it waslittle won der if our gunners should fire thrice nud bo still quito broad of what they aimed at. But in the meanwhile the chaso had cleared a stern gun, the thickness of tho air conceal ing them; being better marksmen, their flit shot struck us in the bows, knocked our two gunners into mince meat, so that we wero all sprinkled with the blood, and plunged through the deck into the forecastle, where we slept, linllfintrne would have held on; indeed thero was nothing in this contretemps to affect the mind of Hny soldier; but he had u quick perception of the men's wishes, and it wus plain this lucky shot had given them a sickener of their trade. In a moment they wero nil of ouo mind; tho chase was drawing away from us, it was needless to hold on, tho Sarah was too foul to overhaul a bottle, It was mere foolery to keep tha sea with her; and on these protended grounds her head was incontinently put about und the course laid for thn river. It wns strange to seo what merriment fell on thut ship's comiiany, and how thoy stamped ubout tho deck jesting, und each computing what increase had come to his shore by the death of tho two gunners. Wo wero niuo days making our port, so light wero the airs we had to sail on, so foul the ship's bottom; but early ou tho tenth, be fore dawn and in a light, liftiug hure, wo pased tho head. A littlo after tha haze lifted and fell again, showing us a cruiser very closo. This was a soro blow, happening so noar our refuge. There was h great debate of whether she had seen us, and, if so, wheth er it wns likely they had recognized the Sarah, Wo were very careful, by destroying every member of those crows wo overhauled, to leave no evidence ns to our own persons; but the appearance of tho Sarah herself wo could not keep so prlvato, and, above all, of late, since she had been foul aud we had pur sued many shiiM without success, it was plain that her description had been often published. 1 supposed this alert would have made us sej) arato upon the instant. But here again thut original genius of Ballantrae's had a surprisu in store for mo. Ho nud Teach (aud it was the most remarkable step ot his success) hud gone hand in hand since the first day of his appointment. I often questioned him upon the fact, and never got an answer but onoe, when he told me he and Toaoli hail an understanding "whioh would vory much surprise the crow if thoy should hear of it, and would . surprise lilmwlf n grind doil if t wn carried out" Well, li 'in Hj.,nl,i, he and Teach wero ! a mind; mid by their joiut procurement, tii" nni'lmr wns no sooner down tlmn tho wli ! crew went oil 1111 11 spciim of drunkenness m drsei ibable. lly afternoon we were a men shipfnl t f limulicnl persons, throwing ct things overboard, howling of different sons ut tho smtin time, quarreling and fulling tf utlier nnd men forgetting our quarrels to inbiuce, Bjllnntrao had bidden mo drink nothing nnd feign drunkpiinexs ns I valued my lifo; mid I hao never paused a day so wearisomely, lying the best part of tho timo upon the forecastle nnd wuUdilngthnswamtu nnd thickets by which our littlo basin wiw entirely mrrouuiled for tho eyo. A llttlo after dusk, Ballantrao stumbled up to my sido, feigned to tall, with 11 drunkeu laugii, nnd beforo ha got his feet again, whispered to 1110 t "reel down into tho cabin and seem to fall iislerp upon n looker, for thero would bo need of me soon." I did as I wns told, and coming into thi cabin, where it was quit,, dark, let irryFelt fell on tho first lcwker. There was .1 man, thero already; by the wnv ho stirred nnd thrw mo off, I could tut think ho was much. 111 liquor; nnu yet wnn 1 had found another1 place, ho seemed to continue to sleep on. llf heart now beat very hard, for I saw some desperate matter was in art. K-csontly down camo Bnliantrae, lighted the lamp, looked about tho cabin, nodded as If pleased, and on deck again without a w 01 ih I peered out from between my fingers, and saw thoisj werothrco of us slumbering, or foigning w slumber, on the lockers; myself, one Duttoa and one Orndy, both resolute men. On deofc tho rest wero gut to a pitch of revelry q,uitj boyond the bound of what is human; eo that 110 reasonable numo can describo tha sounds they were now making, I have heard, many a drunken bout in ray time, mauy oa board that very "Sarah," but nover any thing tho least llko this, which made mi early suppose tho liquor had reea tampered with. It was a long while beforo theso yells and howls died out into a sort of miserable moaning, and then to sllouoei and it soomed a long while utter that, beforo BoJlantra came down again, tills tlmo with Teach npoa his heold. Tha latter cursed at the sight of us three upon the lockci'3. "Tut," says Ballantrao, "yoa might fire ft pls-tol at their ears. You know what stuf they have been swallowing." There was a hatch In the cabin floor, and under that tho richest part of tho booty waj stored against tho day of division. It fasten ed with a ring and threo padlocks, the keys, 1 for greater security) being divided ; ono rr) Teach, on a to Ballantrao and ono to the mate, a man called Hammond. Yet I woe amazna to see thoy were now all in tho one hand, and yet more amazed (still looking through tny fingers) to observe Ballantrae and Teac'i bring up several packets, four of thorn la, a i, very carefully made up und with a loop fof carriage. "And now," says Teach, "lot us bo going," "One word," says Ballantrae, "I have dis covered there is another mnn besides your self that knows a private path acrors U.3 swamp. And it seems it is shorter thaa yours." Teach cried out In that caso they wore un done. "I do not know that," says Ballantrae, "For there aro several other circumstance! with which I must acquaint you. First o all, there is no bullot iu your pistols, which lif you remember) I was kind enough to load for both of us this morning. Secondly, as thero is some ono elso who knows a passage, you must think it highly improbablo I should saddlo myself with a lunatic like you. Third ly, thom gentlemen (who need no longer pros tend to bo asleep) are those of my party, aud will now proceed to gag and bind you to tho mast; and when your men awaken (if theyi ever do awake after the drugs wo have mingled iu their liquor) I am sure they with be so obliging as to deliver you, and you will havo 110 difficulty, I daro say, to explain the business of the keys." Not a word said Teach, but looked at us like a frighteued baby as wo gagged andi bound hull. "Jf .t you see, you moon-calf," says Bali lantrne, "why wo mako four packets, nere toforw you tinve been called Cupt. Teach, tui I think you are now rather Capt. Learn." That wns our last word on board the Sarah, we four with our four packets lowered cv selves softly into a skiff apd left that ship behind us as silent us tho grave, only for tho moan lug of somo of the drunkards. Thero was a fog about breast high ou the watPrs.-V) thut Button, who knew tho passage, must stand on his feet to direct our rowing; and this, as it forced us to row gently, was tho means of our deliverance. Wo were yet but a little way from the ship when it began to come gray, and the biras to fly abroad upon the water. All of n sud den Button clapped down upon his hnma nr.d whispered us lo bo sileut lor our lives w 1 hearken. Suro enough we heard a little fai-.fi creuk of oars upon one hand, and then a?aiu, aud further olf, a creuk of oars up m the other. It was clear wo had been siglr.d yesterday in tho morning; hero w-tie the cruiser's boats to cut us out; here we wero dofouseless iu their very midst. Kure, nova wero poor souh more perilously placed, a 1 a3 wo lay thero ou our oars, prajiug (jod tha mist might hold, the sweat poured trui.i ljJ brow. I'resLntly wo heard one of the boa's, w hero w e might have thrown a biscuit in her. "Softly, men," wo heard nn olllcer wlr-rr ; and I marveled they could not hear the drum ming of my heart. "Never mind the path," cays Ballantrae, "we must get shelter anyhow; let us pull straight ahead for tho sides of tho basin." This we did with tho most anxious precau tion, rowing, as best wo could, upon our bunds, and steering at a venture in tho fog, which wm (for nil thut) our only safety. Bus heaven guidfd ust wo touched ground at a thick"t, scrambled usboife with our treasure, und having no other wuy of concealment, und the mist U'ginning already to lighten, hove down tho skiff und let her sink, W5 were still but now under cover wheu the sua rose, and at tho same time, from the midst o the basiu, n great shouting of seamen sprues; up, and we knew tha Surah was being board i-d. I heard afterward tha officer that took her got great honor, and it's true the ap proach was creditably muuagad, but I thml ha had nn easy capture when he ceuio to board. 1 was still blessing tho saints for my escape, when I bocume aware wo ere iu trouble ot another kind. We were hero luuded at ran do;n in a vast and dangerous swamp; aud how to come at the path w as n couct rn of doubt, fatigue aud peril. Button, indeed, was of opinion w should wait uutil the ship was gone and fish up the skiff; for any delay would bo more wiwj than to go blindly uhead in that morass. One went back accordingly to tha basin side aud qieenng tbrorgh tho thicket) saw the fog alreedy quite drunk up nud Eng lish colors ilyiug on tho f arah, but no inove mentinado to get her under nay. Our situation was now very doubtful. Ths swamp wns nn unliealthful placo to linger iu; wo had been so grtsdv to bring treasures that we had brought but little food; it wus highly desirable, beside.,, that we should get clear of tha neighborhood and into tho settlement bo fore the news of the capture wont abroad; and against all thosa considerations there was only the jx-ril of tha passage on the other side, I think it uot wonderful we decided 011 the uctiva part.