THE LADY AND THE PIRATE

 _Being the Plain Tale of a Diligent Pirate and a Fair Captive_

 _By_

 EMERSON HOUGH

 _Author of_ THE MISSISSIPPI BUBBLE, 54-40 OR FIGHT THE PURCHASE PRICE, JOHN RAWN, ETC. 

 ILLUSTRATED BY HARRY A. MATHES

 INDIANAPOLIS THE BOBBS-MERRILL COMPANY PUBLISHERS

 [Illustration: Thus the heartless jade stood, unable to meet my eagle eye]

COPYRIGHT 1913EMERSON HOUGH

PRESS OFBRAUNWORTH & CO. BOOKBINDERS AND PRINTERSBROOKLYN, N. Y. 

CONTENTS

 CHAPTER PAGE

 I IN WHICH I AM A CAITIFF 1

 II IN WHICH I HOLD A PARLEY 6

 III IN WHICH I AM A CAPTIVE 14

 IV IN WHICH I AM A PIRATE 23

 V IN WHICH WE SAIL FOR THE SPANISH MAIN 34

 VI IN WHICH I ACQUIRE A FRIEND 44

 VII IN WHICH I ACHIEVE A NAME 52

 VIII IN WHICH WE HAVE AN ADVENTURE 60

 IX IN WHICH WE TAKE MUCH TREASURE 75

 X IN WHICH I SHOW MY TRUE COLORS 90

 XI IN WHICH MY PLOT THICKENS 97

 XII IN WHICH WE CLOSE WITH THE ENEMY 102

 XIII IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY 110

 XIV IN WHICH IS ABOUNDING TROUBLE 122

 XV IN WHICH IS CONVERSATION WITH THE CAPTIVE MAIDEN 131

 XVI IN WHICH IS FURTHER PARLEY WITH THE CAPTIVE MAIDEN 143

 XVII IN WHICH IS HUE AND CRY 154

 XVIII IN WHICH IS DISCUSSION OF TWO AUNTIES 158

 XIX IN WHICH I ESTABLISH A MODUS VIVENDI 166

 XX IN WHICH I HAVE POLITE CONVERSATION, BUT LITTLE ELSE 175

 XXI IN WHICH WE MAKE A RUN FOR IT 184

 XXII IN WHICH I WALK AND TALK WITH HELENA 192

 XXIII IN WHICH IS A PRETTY KETTLE OF FISH 205

 XXIV IN WHICH WE HAVE A SENSATION 213

 XXV IN WHICH WE MEET THE OTHER MAN, ALSO ANOTHER WOMAN 224

 XXVI IN WHICH WE BURN ALL BRIDGES 244

 XXVII IN WHICH WE REACH THE SPANISH MAIN 258

 XXVIII IN WHICH IS CERTAIN POLITE CONVERSATION 267

 XXIX IN WHICH IS SHIPWRECK 285

 XXX IN WHICH IS SHIPWRECK OF OTHER SORT 299

 XXXI IN WHICH WE TAKE TO THE BOATS 312

 XXXII IN WHICH I RESCUE THE COOK 324

 XXXIII IN WHICH WE ARE CASTAWAYS 333

 XXXIV IN WHICH IS NO RAPPROCHEMENT WITH THE FAIR CAPTIVE 349

 XXXV IN WHICH I FIND TWO ESTIMABLE FRIENDS, BUT LOSE ONE BELOVED 357

 XXXVI IN WHICH WE FOLD OUR TENTS 375

 XXXVII IN WHICH IS PHILOSOPHY; WHICH, HOWEVER, SHOULD NOT BE SKIPPED 384

 XXXVIII IN WHICH IS AN ARMISTICE WITH FATE 395

 XXXIX IN WHICH ARE SEALED ORDERS 400

 XL IN WHICH LAND SHOWS IN THE OFFING 414

 XLI IN WHICH IS MUCH ROMANCE, AND SOME TREASURE, ALSO VERY MUCH HAPPINESS 426

THE LADY AND THE PIRATE

CHAPTER I

IN WHICH I AM A CAITIFF

I was sitting at one of my favorite spots engaged in looking throughmy fly-book for some lure that might, perhaps, mend my luck in theafternoon's fishing. At least, I had within the moment been soengaged; although the truth is that the evening was so exceptionallyfine, and the spot always so extraordinarily attractive to me--thisparticular angle of the stream, where the tall birches stand, being tomy mind the most beautiful bit on my whole estate--that I hadforgotten all about angling and was sitting with rod laid by upon thebank, the fly-book scarce noted in my hand. Moreover, a peculiarlyfine specimen of Anopheles, (as I took it to be) was at that verymoment hovering over my hand, and I was anxious to confirm my judgmentas well as to enlarge my collection of mosquitoes. I had my other handin a pocket feeling for the little phial in which I purposed toenclose Anopheles, if I could coax him to alight. Indeed, I say, Iwas at that very moment as happy as a man need be; or, at least, ashappy as I ever expected to be. Imagine my surprise, therefore, atthat moment to hear a voice, apparently intended for me, exclaim, "Halt! Caitiff!"

I looked up, more annoyed than displeased or startled. It is not oftenone sees so fine a specimen of Anopheles; and one could have swornthat, but for my slight involuntary movement of the hand, he must havesettled; after which--_crede experto!_--he would have been the same asin my phial, and doomed to the chloroform within the next hour. Besides, no matter who one may be or how engaged, it is not whollyseemly to be accosted as a caitiff, when one is on one's own land, offending no man on earth, owing no debt and paying no tribute, feudal, commercial, military or personal, to any man on earth. 

The situation seemed to me singular. Had the time been some centuriesearlier, the place somewhere in the old world, such speech might havehad better fitting. But the time was less than a year ago, the placewas in America. I was on my own lands, in this one of our middlestates. This was my own river; or at least, I owned the broad acres onboth sides of it for some miles. And I was a man of no slinking habit, no repulsive mien, of that I was assured, but a successful Americanof means; lately a professional man and now a man of leisure, and notso far past thirty years of age. My fly-rod was the best that moneycan buy, and the pages of the adjacent book were handsomely stocked bythe best makers of this country and each of the three divisions ofGreat Britain; in each of which--as well as in Norway, Germany, or forthe matter of that, India, New Zealand, Alaska, Japan or otherlands--I had more than once wet a line. My garb was not of leatherjerkin, my buskins not of thonged straw, but on the contrary I wasturned out in good tweeds, well cut by my London tailor. To be calledoffhand, and with no more reason than there was provocation, a"caitiff, " even by a voice somewhat treble and a trifle trembling, left me every reason in the world to be surprised, annoyed andgrieved. For now Anopheles had flown away; and had I not been thusstartled, I should certainly have had him. Yet more, no fish wouldrise in that pool the rest of that evening, for no trout in my littlestream thereabout ever had seen a boat or been frightened by the plashof an oar since the time, three years back, when I had bought theplace. 

I looked up. Just at the bend, arrested now by hand anchorage to theoverhanging alders, lay a small boat, occupied by two boys, neitherof more than fourteen years, the younger seemingly not more thantwelve. It was the latter who was clinging with one hand to thedrooping bushes. His companion, apparently the leader in their presententerprise, was half crouching in the bow of the boat and he, evidently, was the one who had accosted me. 

A second glance gave me even more surprise, for it showed that theboat, though not precisely long, low and rakish of build, evidentlywas of piratical intent. At least she was piratical in decoration. Oneach side of her bow there was painted--and the evening sun, shiningthrough my larches, showed the paint still fresh--in more or lessaccurate design in black, the emblem of a skull and cross-bones. Aboveher, supported by a short staff, perhaps cut from my own willows, flewa black flag, and whatever may have been her stern-chaser equipment, her broadside batteries, or her deck carronades--none of which I couldwell make out, as her hull lay half concealed among the alders--herbow-chaser was certainly in commission and manned for action. Thepirate captain, himself, was at the lanyard; and I perceived that henow rested an extraordinarily large six-shooter in the fork of a shortstaff, which was fixed in the bow. Along this, with a three-corneredgray eye, he now sighted at the lower button of my waistcoat, and in afashion that gave me goose-flesh underneath the button, in spite ofall my mingled emotions. Had I not "halted, " as ordered, to the extentof sitting on quietly as I was, he no doubt would have pulled thelanyard, with consequences such as I do not care to contemplate, andmayhap to the effect that this somewhat singular story would neverhave been written. 

"Halt, Sirrah!" began the pirate leader again, "or I will blow you outof the water!"

I sat for a moment regarding him, my chin in my hand. 

"No, " said I at last; "I already am out of the water, my friend. But, prithee, have a care of yonder lanyard, else, gadzooks! you may belikeblow me off the bank and into the water. "

This speech of mine seemed as much to disconcert the pirate chieftainas had his me. He stood erect, shifting his Long Tom, to the greatease of my waistcoat button. 

"Won't you heave to, and put off a small boat for a parley?" Iinquired. 

CHAPTER II

IN WHICH I HOLD A PARLEY

The two pirates turned to each other for consultation, irresolute, butevidently impressed by the fact that their prize did not purpose tohoist sail and make a run for it. 

"What ho! mates?" demanded the captain, in as gruff a voice as hecould compass: "Ye've heard his speech, and he has struck his flag. "

"Suppose the villain plays us false, " rejoined the "mates" or rather, the mate, in a voice so high or quavering that for a moment it wasdifficult for me to repress a smile; although these three years past Irarely had smiled at all. 

The captain turned to one side, so that now I could see both him andhis crew. The leader was as fine a specimen of boy as you could haveasked, sturdy of bare legs, brown of face, red of hair, ragged andtumbled of garb. His crew was active though slightly less robust, afair-haired, light-skinned chap, blue-eyed, and somewhat better cladthan his companion. There was something winning about his face. At aglance I knew his soul. He was a dreamer, an idealist, an artist, inthe bud. My heart leaped out to him instinctively in a great impulseof sympathy and understanding. Indeed, suddenly, I felt the bloodtingle through my hair. I looked upon life as I had not these threeyears. The imagination of Youth, the glamour of Adventure, lay herebefore me; things I cruelly had missed these last few years, it seemedto me. 

"How, now, shipmates?" I remarked mildly. "Wouldst doubt the faith ofone who himself hath flown the Jolly Rover? Cease your fears and comeaboard--that is to say, come ashore. "

"Git out, Jimmy, " I heard the captain say in a low voice, after amoment of indecision. "Keep him covered till I tie her up. "

Jimmy, the fair-haired pirate, hauled in on the alders and flung agrappling iron aboard my bank, which presently he ascended. As hestood free from the screening fringe of bushes, I saw that he wasslender, and not very tall, one not wholly suited by nature to hisstern calling. His once white jacket now was soiled, and one leg ofhis knickers was loose, from his scramble up the bank. He was beltedbeyond all earl-like need; wore indeed two belts, which supported twolong hunting knives and a Malay kris, such as we now get from thePhilippines; as well as a revolver large beyond all proportion to hisown size. A second revolver of like dimensions now trembled in hishand, and even though its direction toward me was no more thangeneral, I resumed the goose-flesh underneath my waistcoat, for no mancould tell what might happen. In none of my works with dangerous biggame have I felt a similar uneasiness; no, nor even in the littleaffair in China where the Boxers held us up, did I ever reallyconsider the issue more in doubt. It pleased me, however, to make nomovement of offense or defense; and luckily the revolver was notdischarged. 

When the two had topped the bank, and had approached me--taking coverbehind trees in a way which made me suspect Boy Scout training, mingled with bandit literature--to a point where we could see eachother's features plainly, I moved over to one side of my bank, andmotioned them to approach. 

"Come alongside, brothers, " said I, pushing my fly-rod to one side;"make fast and come aboard. And tell me, what cheer?"

They drew up to me, stern of mien, bold of bearing, dauntless ofpurpose. At least, so I was convinced, each wished and imaginedhimself to seem; and since they wished so to be seen thus, seized bysome sudden whim, I resolved to see them. How I envied them! Theirsall the splendor of youth, of daring, of adventure, of romance;things gone by from me, or for the most part, never known. 

Frowning sternly, they seated themselves reluctantly on the grassybank beside me, and gazed out in the dignity of an imagined manhoodacross my river, which now was lighted bravely by the retiring sun. Had I not felt with them, longed with them, they could never sosplendidly have maintained their pretense. But between us, there inthe evening on my stream with only the birds and the sun to see, itwas not pretense. Upon the contrary, all cloaks were off, all masksremoved, and we were face to face in the strong light of reality. Asclearly as though I always had known them, I saw into the hearts ofthese; and what I saw made my own heart ache and yearn for somethingit had ever missed. 

"What cheer, comrades?" I repeated at length. "Whither away, and uponwhat errand?"

Now a strange thing happened, which I do not explain, for that I cannot. In plain fact, these two were obviously runaway boys, not thefirst, nor perhaps the last of runaway boys; and I was a man of means, a retired man, supposedly somewhat of a hermit, although reallynothing of the sort; lately a lawyer, hard-headed and disillusioned, always a man of calm reason, as I prided myself; subject to nofancies, a student and a lover of science, a mocker at allsuperstition and all weak-mindedness. (Pardon me, that I must say allthese things of myself. ) Yet, let me be believed who say it, somespell, whether of this presence of Youth, whether of the evening andthe sun, or whether of the inner and struggling soul of Man, so fellupon us all then and there, that we were not man and boys, but boldadventurers, all three of like kidney! This was not a modern land thatlay about us. Yonder was not the copse beyond the birches, where mywoodcock sometimes found cover. This was not my trout-stream. Thoseyonder were not my elms and larches moving in the evening air. No, before us lay the picture of the rolling deep, its long green swellsbreaking high in white spindrift. The keen wind of other days soundedin our ears, and yonder pressed the galleons of Spain! Youth, Youthand Adventure, were ours. 

We smiled not at all, therefore, as, with some thoughtful effort, itis true, we held to fitting manner of speech. "We seek for treasure, "piped the thin voice of him I had heard called Jimmy. "Let none darelift hand against us!"

"And whither away, my hearties?"

"Spang! to the Spanish Main. " This also from the blue-eyed boy; who, now, with some difficulty, managed to let down the hammer of hissix-shooter without damage to himself or others. 

"We didn't know but youse would try to stop us, " exclaimed thered-haired leader. "We come around the bend and seen you settin'there; an' we was resolved--to--to----"

"To sell our lives dearly!" supplemented Jimmy. "He who would seek tostop us does so at his peril. " And Jimmy made so fell a movementtoward his side-arms that I hastened to restrain him. 

"Yes, " said I; "you are quite right, my hearties. "

"But, gee!" ventured the red-haired pirate, "what was you thinkin'about?"

"You ask me to tell truth, good Sire, " I made reply, "and I shall dono less. At the very moment you trained your bow-chaser on me, I wasthinking of two things. "

"Speak on, caitiff!" demanded Jimmy fiercely. 

"Nay, call me not so, good Sir, " I rejoined, "for such, in good-sooth, I am not, but honest faithful man. Ye have but now asked what Ipondered, and I fain would speak truth, an' it please ye, myhearties. "

"What's he givin' us, Jimmy?" whispered the pirate captain dubiously, aside. 

"Speak on!" again commanded he of the blue eyes. "But your life blooddyes the deck if you seek to deceive Jean Lafitte, or HenryL'Olonnois!"

(So then, thought I, at last I knew their names. )

In reply I reached to my belt and drew out quickly--so quickly thatthey both flinched away--the long handled knife which, usually, Icarried with me for cutting down alders or other growth whichsometimes entangled my flies as I fished along the stream. "Listen, "said I, "I swear the pirates' oath. On the point of my blade, " and Itouched it with my right forefinger, "I swear that I pondered on twothings when you surprised me. "

"Name them!" demanded Jimmy L'Olonnois fiercely. 

"First, then, " I answered, "I was wondering what I could use as a corkto my phial, when once I had yonder Anopheles in it----"

"Who's he?" demanded Jean Lafitte. 

"Anopheles? A friend of mine, " I replied; "a mosquito, in short. "

"Jimmy, he's crazy!" ejaculated Jean Lafitte uneasily. 

"Say on, caitiff!" commanded L'Olonnois, ignoring him; "what else?"

"In the second place, " said I--and again I placed my right forefingeron the point of my blade, "I was thinking of Helena. "

"Is she your little girl, " hesitatingly inquired Jimmy L'Olonnois, forthe instant forgetting his part. 

"No, " said I sadly, "she is not my little girl. "

"Where is she?" vaguely. 

"Regarding the whereabouts of either Anopheles or Helena, at thismoment, " said I still sadly, "I am indeed all at sea, as any goodpirate should be. "

I tried to jest, but fared ill at it. I felt my face flush at hearingher name spoken aloud. And sadly true was it that, on that afternoonand many another, I had found myself, time and again, adream withHelena's face before me. I saw it now--a face I had not seen thesethree years, since the time when first I had come hither with thepurpose of forgetting. 

Jimmy was back in his part again, and doing nobly. "Ha!" said he. "So, fellow, pondering on a fair one, didst not hear the approach of ourgood ship, the _Sea Rover_?"

"In good sooth, I did not, " I answered; "and as for these othermatters, I swear on my blade's point I have spoken the truth. "

Our conversation languished for the moment. Illusion lay in thebalance. The old melancholy impended above me ominously. 

CHAPTER III

IN WHICH I AM A CAPTIVE

"What ho! Jean Lafitte, " said I at length, rousing myself from the oldhabit of reverie, of which I had chiefest dread; "and you, HenriL'Olonnois, scourges of the main, both of you, listen! I have a planto put before you, my hearties. "

"Say on, Sirrah!" rejoined the younger pirate, so promptly and sogravely that again I had much to do to refrain from sudden mirth. 

"Why then, look ye, " I continued. "The sun is sinking beneath thewave, and the good ship rides steady at her anchor. Meantime men musteat! and yonder castle amid the forest offers booty. What say ye if wepass within the wood, and see what we may find of worth to souls boldas ours?"

"'Tis well!" answered L'Olonnois; and I could see assent in Lafitte'seyes. In truth I could discover no great preparations for a longvoyage in the open hold of the _Sea Rover_, and doubted not that bothcaptain and crew by this time were hungry. Odd crumbs of crackers andan empty sardine can might be all very well at the edge of thevillage of Pausaukee (I judged they could have come no greaterdistance, some twelve or fifteen miles); but they do not serve for solong a journey as lies between Pausaukee and the Spanish Main. 

They rose as I did, and we passed beyond the clump of tall birches, along the edge of my mowing meadow, and through the gate which closesmy woodland path--to me the loveliest of all wood-trails, so gentleand so silent is it always, and so fringed, seasonably, with ferns andflowers. Thus, presently, we saw the blue smoke rising above my lodge, betokening to me that my Japanese factotum, Hiroshimi, now had mydinner under way. 

To me, it was my customary abode, my home these three years; but theybeside me saw not the rambling expanse of my leisurely log mansion. They noted not the overhanging gables, the lattices of native wood. Tothem, yonder lay a castle in a foreign land. Here was moat and wall, then a portcullis, and gratings warded these narrow portals againstfire of musketoon. My pet swallows' nest, demure above my door, tothem offered the aspect of a culverin's mouth; and, as now, I made mycustomary approach-call, by which I heralded my return from anyexcursion on the stream of an evening, I could swear these invaderslooked for naught less than a swarm of archers springing to thewalls, and the hoarse answer of my men-at-arms back of each guardedportal. Such is the power of youthful dreaming, such the residuaryheritage of days of high emprise, when life was full of blood and wineand love, and savored not so wholly of dull commonplace!

But indeed, (or so I presume; for at the moment my own imaginationswept on with theirs) none manned the walls or rattled the chains ofgate and bridge. The saffron Hiroshimi opened the screen door beforeus, showing no surprise or interest in my strange companions. Thus wemade easy conquest of our castle. As we entered, there lay before us, lighted softly by the subdued twilight which filtered through thesurrounding grove, the interior of that home which in three years Ihad learned much to love, lonely as it was. Here I now dwelt most ofthe time, leaving behind me, as though shut off by a closed door, thebusy scenes of an active and successful life. (I presume I may fairlyspeak thus of myself, since there is no one else to speak. )

My pirate companions, suddenly grown shy, stood silent for a moment, for the time rather at a loss to carry on the play which had beeneasier in the open. I heard Jimmy draw a long breath. He was first toremove his hat. But his companion was quicker to regain his poise, although for a moment he forgot his pirate speech. "Gee!" said he. "Ain't this great!"

I doubt if any praise I ever heard in my life pleased me more thanthis frank comment; no, not even the kind word and hand-clasp of oldJudge Henderson, what time I won my first cause at law. For this thatlay about me was what I had chosen for my life to-day. I had preferredthis to the career into which my father's restless ambition hadplunged me almost as soon as I had emerged from my college and mylaw-school--a career which my own restless ambition had foundsufficient until that final break with Helena Emory, which occurredsoon after the time when my father died; when the news went out thatI, his heir, was left with but a shrunken fortune, and with many debtsto pay; news which I, myself, had promulgated for reasons of my own. After that, called foolish by all my friends, lamented by members ofmy family, forgotten, as I fancy, by most who knew me, I had retiredto this lodge in the wilderness. Here, grown suddenly resentful of alife hitherto wasted in money-getting alone, I had resolved to spendthe remainder of my days, as beseemed a student and a philosopher. Having read Weininger and other philosophers, I was convinced thatwoman was the lowest and most unworthy thing in the scale of createdthings, a thing quite beneath the attention of a thinking man. 

I have said that I was scarce beyond thirty years of age. Even so, Ifound myself already old; and like any true philosopher, I resolved tomake myself young. As hitherto I had had no boyhood, I determined toachieve a boyhood for myself. Studying myself, I discovered that I hadrarely smiled; so I resolved to find somewhat to make me smile. Thegreat realm of knowledge, widest and sweetest of all empires for aman, lay before me alluringly when I entered upon my business career;and so interested was I in my business and my books that only bychance had I met the woman who drove me out of both. A boy I had neverbeen; nay, nor even a youth. I had always been old. True, like othersof my station, I had owned my auto cars, my matched teams--owned themnow, indeed--but I had never owned a dog. So, when I came hither withample leisure, perhaps my chief ambition was a deliberate purpose toencompass my deferred boyhood. Thus I had built this house of logswhich now--with a surprised and gratifying throb of my heart I learnedit--appealed to the souls of real boys. It was the castle where Idreamed; and now it was the palace of their dreams also. I felt, atleast, that I had succeeded. My heart throbbed in a new way, veryfoolish, yet for some reason suddenly enjoyable. 

My house was all of logs and had no decorations of paint or tapestrywithin. Its only arras was of the skins of wild beasts--of the Africanlion and leopard, the zebra, many antelopes. The walls were hung withmounted heads--those of the moose, the elk, the bighorn, most of themain trophies of my own land and to these, through my foreign hunting, I had added heads of all the great trophies of Africa and Asia aswell. A splendid pair of elephant tusks stood in a corner. A fine headof the sheep of Tibet, _ovus poli_--and I prize none of my trophiesmore, unless it be the fine robe of the Chinese mountain tiger--lookedfull front at us from above the fireplace. My rod racks, and thosewhich supported my guns and rifles, were here and there about theroom. The whole gave a jaunty atmosphere to my home. I had gonesoberly about the business of sport; and in these days, that can bepractised most successfully by a man with much leisure and unstintedmeans. 

My books lay about everywhere, also, books which perhaps would nothave appealed to all. My copies of the Vedas, many works on theBuddhist faith, and translations from Confucius, lay side by sidewith that Bible which we Christians have almost forgot. Here, too, stood my desk with its cases of preserved mosquitoes--for this year Iwas studying mosquitoes as an amusement. I had collected all themosquito literature of the world, and my books, in French, German andEnglish, lay near my great microscope. I had passed many happy hourshere in the oblivion of mental concentration, always a delight withme, now grown almost a necessity if I were to escape the worst of allhabits, that of introspection and self-pity. 

My piano and my violins also were in full sight; for the world ofmusic, as well as the world of sport and youth, I was deliberatelyopening for myself, also in exchange for that closed world of affairswhich I had abandoned. Indeed, all manners of the impedimenta of awell-to-do Japanese-cared-for bachelor were in evidence. To me, eachobject was familiar and was cherished. I had never felt need toapologize to any gentleman for my quarters or their contents--or toany woman, for no woman had ever seen my home. I may admit that, contrary to the belief of some, I was a rich man, far richer that Ihad need or care to be; and since it was not due to my own abilityaltogether nor in response to any real ambition of my own, I know Iwill be pardoned for simply stating the truth. My one great ambitionin life was to forget; but if that might be best obtained in sport, instudy, or amid the gentle evidences of good living, so much thebetter. Many men had called my father, stern and masterful man that hewas, a robber, a thief, a pirate--in great part, I suspect, in envythat they themselves had not attained a like stature in similarachievement. But no one had ever called his son a pirate--until now!It made me oddly happy. 

I ought to have been happy here all these years, able to do preciselywhat I liked; but sometimes I felt myself strangely alone in theworld. I was always silent and apparently cold--though really, let mewhisper--only shy. Sometimes, even here, I found myself a trifle sad. It is difficult to be a boy when one starts at thirty; especiallydifficult if one has always been rather old and staid. 

I tell all these things to explain that keen pleasure, that swiftexultation, that rush of the blood to my cheeks, which I felt when Isaw that my house and my way of life met the approval of real boys. Pirates, too!

Swift, therefore, fell once more the magic curtain of romance. I hearda strange voice, my own voice, saying: "Enter then, my bold mates, andlet us explore this castle which we have conquered. " Yes, illusionfloated in through the windows on the pale light of the evening. Thiswas a castle we had taken; and the detail that I chanced to own it wasneither here nor there. 

"Prisoner, " began L'Olonnois sternly--he was usually spokesman, if notalways leader--"Prisoner, your life is spared for the time. Lead on!Attempt to play us false, and your blood shall be spilled upon thedeck!"

"It shall be so, " I answered. "And if I do not give you the best mealyou have had to-day, then indeed let my life's blood stain the deck. "

So saying, I nodded to Hiroshimi to serve the dinner. 

CHAPTER IV

IN WHICH I AM A PIRATE

With my own hands I have trained that prize, Hiroshimi, to cook and toserve; but only Providence could give Hiroshimi his super-humanlydisinterested calm. He fitted perfectly into the picture of our dream. 'Twas no ordinary log house in which we sat, indeed no house at all. Beneath us rose and fell a stanch vessel, responsive to the long liftof the southern seas. It was not a rustle of the leaves we heardthrough the open windows, but the low ripple of waves along ourstrakes came to our ears through the open ports. Hiroshimi did notdepart to the kitchen; but high aloft our lookout swept the sea forsail that might offer us a prize. 

If any say that this manner of illusion may not exist between two boysand a man, I answer that we did not thus classify it. By the newpleasure in my soul, by the new blood in my cheek, I swear we werethree boys together, and all in quest of adventure. 

True, at times our speech smacked less of nautical and piraticalphrase, at times, indeed, halted. It is difficult for atwelve-year-old pirate, exceeding hungry, to ask for a third helpingof grilled chicken in a voice at once stern and ingratiating. Moreover, it is difficult for a discreet and law-abiding citizen, witha full sense of duty, deliberately to aid and abet two youthfulrunaways. But whenever illusion wavered, L'Olonnois saved the day byresuming his stern scowl, even above a chicken-bone. His facility inrolling speech I discovered to be, in part, attributable to a volumewhich I saw protruding from his pocket. At my request he passed it tome, and I saw its title; _The Pirate's Own Book_. I knew it well. Indeed, I now arose, and passing to my bookshelves, drew down aduplicate copy of that rare volume, recounting the deeds of the oldbuccaneers. The eyes of L'Olonnois widened as I laid the two side byside. 

"You've got it, too!" he exclaimed. 

I nodded. 

"That explains it, " said Jean Lafitte. 

"Explains what?"

"Why, how you--why now--how you could be a pirate, too, just asnatural as us. "

"I have read it many a time, " said I. 

"Wasn't you never a pirate?" asked Jean Lafitte. 

"No, " said I, smiling, "although many have said my father was. He wasvery rich. "

"Well, you can talk just like us, " said Jean Lafitte admiringly, "evenif you have lost all. "

"Of course, " said I exultingly. "Why not? I think as you do. As muchas you I am disgusted with the dulness of life. I, too, wish to seekmy fortune. Well then, why not, John Saunders? Why not, JamesHenderson?"

Ah, now indeed illusion halted! Both boys, abashed, fell back in theirchairs. "How did you know our names?" asked the older of the two atlength. 

"Nay, fear not, " said I. "I do but seek to prove my fitness to jointhe jolly brotherhood, good mates. "

"Aw, honest!" rejoined Jimmy; "you got to tell us how you knew. "

"Well, then, let me go on. In your book, here, I saw your father'sname, Jimmy. I know your father. He is Judge Willard Henderson of theAppellate Court in the city. I was admitted to the bar under him. Hehas a summer place at the lake above here, as I know, although I havenever visited him there. I know your mother, too, Jimmy, --so well Ishould not like to cause her even a moment's uneasiness about you. "

"Do you know my auntie, Helena Emory?" demanded Jimmy suddenly. I feltthe blood surge into my face. 

"Don't misunderstand me, " I rejoined, "I only have some gift of thesecond sight, as I shall now prove to you. For instance, Jean Lafitte, I know your earlier name was John Saunders, although I never saw orheard of you before. "

"Well, now, how'd you know that?" demanded the elder boy. 

"I did not promise to tell the secrets of my art, " I smiled. I did nottell him that I had seen the name of Saunders on the tag of a shirtsomewhat soiled. 

"Your father's name was John before you, " I added at a venture. Heassented, half-frightened, although I had only guessed at this, supposing John Saunders to be a somewhat continuous family name in afamily of auburn Highlanders. 

"He sells farm stuff at the hotel above, " I ventured. And again myguess was truth. 

"You take the wagon there, sometimes, with vegetables and milk andeggs; and so you met Jimmy, here, and you went fishing together; andhe told you stories out of his book. I fear, John, that your fatherlicks you because you go fishing on Sunday. That was why you resolvedto run away. You led Jimmy into that with you. Yesterday you took aboat from the lake near the hotel, and you painted her up and riggedher for a pirate ship. You rowed across the lake to the marsh wherethe little stream makes out--my trout-stream here. You followed thatstream down, with no more trouble than ducking under a wire fenceonce in a while, until you came to my land, and until you saw me. Youwere afraid I might tell on you; and besides, you were pirates now;and so you took me prisoner. Marry, good Sirs, 'tis not the first timea prisoner has joined a pirate band!"

"That's wonderful!" gasped Jean T. Lafitte Saunders. "And you say youhave never been up to our lake!"

"No, " said I, "but I have a map, and I know my river heads in yourlake, and that very probably it runs out of the low marshy side. Besides, being a boy myself, I know precisely what boys would do. Tellme, do you think I would betray two of the brotherhood?"

"You won't give us away?" The elder pirate's face was eager. 

"On the contrary, I'll see that you don't get into any trouble. "

"That's a good scout!" ejaculated he fervently, his freckled faceflushing. 

"We wasn't--that is, we hadn't--well, you see?" began Jimmy. "Maybewe'd just have camped down here and gone back to-morrow. I was afraidabout taking the boat. Besides, I've only got about six dollars, anyhow. " He spread his wealth out upon the table before me frankly. 

"Have no fear, " said I. "To-night I shall write a few letters thatwill clear up every trouble back home, and allow us to continue ourjourney to the Spanish Main. "

"Oh, will you?" cried Jimmy, much relieved. "That'll be a good scout, "he added. 

Suddenly I found myself smiling at him, I who had smiled so rarelythese years, whether in the Selkirks or the Himalayas, in Uganda orhere in my own little wilderness--because Helena had left me so sad. 

"But if I promise, you, also, must promise in turn. "

Used as I was, already, to the astounding changes in Jimmy from boy tobuccaneer and back again, I was now interested at the fell scowl whichhe summoned to his features, as soon as he felt relieved as to thedomestic situation. "Speak, fellow!" he demanded; and folding hisarms, presented so threatening a front that I saw my man Hiroshimicovertly lay hold upon a carving knife. 

"Why, then, my hearties, " said I, "'tis thus. I'll sign on assea-lawyer and scrivener, as well as purser for the ship. Yes, I'llsign articles and voyage with you for a week or a month, or twomonths, or three. I'll provender the ship and pay all bills of libelor demurrage in any port of call; and by my fateful gift of secondsight, which ye have seen well proven here to-night, not only will Isee ye safe for what ye already have done, but will keep ye safeagainst any enemy we may meet, be he whom he may!"

"'Tis well, " said L'Olonnois. "Say on!"

"And in return I ask a boon. "

"Name it, fellow!"

"Already I have named it--that I, too, shall be accepted as one of thebrotherhood. Oh, listen"--I broke out impulsively--"I have never beena pirate, and I have never been a boy. I have had everything in theworld I wanted and it made me awfully lonesome, because when you haveeverything you have nothing. I have nothing to do but eat and sleep, and hunt and fish, and read and write, and study and think, and playmy music, here. I do not want to do these things any more. EspeciallyI do not want to think. Boys do not think, and I want to be a boy. Iwant to be a pirate with you. I want to seek my fortune with you. "

We sat silent, almost solemn for a moment, so sincere was my speechand so startling to them. But thanks to L'Olonnois and his savingbook, illusion came to us once more in time. 

"Will ye be good brother and true pirate?" demanded L'Olonnois. "Andwill ye take the oath of blood?"

"That I will!" said I. 

"Brothers and good shipmates all"--broke in Jean Lafitte in a deepvoice--"what say ye? Shall we put him to the oath?"

"Aye, aye, Sir!" responded the deep chorus of scores of full-chestedvoices. Or, at least, so it seemed to us, though, mayhap, 'twas nomore than Jimmy who spoke. 

"Swear him, then!" commanded Jean Lafitte. "Swear him by the oath ofblood. "

"We--we haven't any blood!" whispered L'Olonnois, aside, somewhattroubled. 

"That have we, mates, " said I, "and the ceremony shall have fullsolemnity. "

I took up my keen hunting knife and deliberately and slowly opened theside of my thumb, more to the pain of Jimmy, I fancy, than to myself, as I could see by the twitch of his features. 

"By this blood I swear!" said I: "and on the point of my blade I swearto be a true pirate; to fight the fight of all; to divulge no plans ofthe company; and to share with my brothers share and share alike ofall booty we may take. "

"'Tis well!" said L'Olonnois, much impressed and delighted, as alsowas his mate, very evidently. 

"And now, my brothers, " said I, "you, also, must swear to divulge nosecret of mine that you may learn, to tell nothing of my plans, or myname, or the name of the port where I signed on the rolls. "

"We don't know your name, " said Jimmy, "but neither of us will giveyou away. "

Jean Lafitte was all for opening up his own thumb for blood, but Istopped him. "This will do, " said I, and stained his fingers and thoseof L'Olonnois--who grew pale at sight of it to his evident disgust. 

So, thus, I became a pirate, and we three were brother rovers of thedeep. I fancied my associates would be loyal. I was thinking of acertain cousin of the younger pirate. Not for worlds would I seek topursue her now; but there had arisen in my soul, already, a sort ofstrange wonder whether some intent of fate had sent this youngsterhere to remind me once more of her, whom I would forget. 

"Now, " said I at last, "let us seek what fare the castle offers forthe night. " I could see they were tired and sleepy, and so found forthem bath and clean pajamas--somewhat too large to be sure--and goodbeds in the wing of my log house. And never, as I be a true pirate, never have I seen so many and so various single-fire and revolvingshort arms, in my life, as these two buccaneers disclosed when theyunbelted and laid aside their jackets! Even thus equipped, I foundthem looking enviously at my walls, where hung weapons of many lands. I sent them to bed happier by telling them that, in the morning, theyshould select such as they chose for the equipment of our vessel. "Gee!" said Jean Lafitte again. "Gee! _Gee!_" He was so happy that I, too, was happy. It was L'Olonnois who changed that. 

"Methinks, " said he, regarding me sternly, "that in yonder ivy-cladhalls might dwell some lady fair! Tell me, is it not so?"

He stretched a thin arm out, in the sleeve of my smallest pajamas, andpointed a slender finger at the interior of my castle of dreams. Alas, after all it was empty! My old melancholy came back to me. 

"No, my brothers, " said I, "no maid has ever passed yon door. No, norever will. "

L'Olonnois bent his flaxen head in dignified and manly sympathy. "Isee, " said he, "our brother in his youth has, perhaps, been deceivedby some fair one!"

Upon which I left them for my own room. 

If two buccaneers in my castle slept well that night, a third did not. Anopheles might go hang. I did not fancy my new microscope. I doubtedif my last violin were a real Strad. I did not like the last music mydealers had sent out to me. My studies of Confucius and Buddha mightgo hang, and my new book as well. For now, before me, came the face ofa certain pirate's aunt, and she was indeed a lady fair. And I knewfull well--as I had known all these years, although I had tried todeceive myself into believing otherwise--that gladly as I hadexchanged the city for the wilderness, with equal gladness would Iexchange my leisure, all my wealth, all my belongings, for a moment'stouch of her hand, a half-hour of talk heart-to-heart with her, sothat, indeed, I might know the truth; so that, at least, I might haveit direct from her, bitter though the truth might be. 

CHAPTER V

IN WHICH WE SAIL FOR THE SPANISH MAIN

When, in the morning, I passed from my quarters toward the main roomwhich served me both as living-room and dining hall, I found that mypirate guests were also early risers. I could hear them arguing oversome matter, which proved to be no more serious than the question of acold bath of mornings, Jimmy maintaining that everybody had a coldbath every morning, whereas John insisted with equal heat that nobodyever bathed ("washed, " I think he called it), oftener than once aweek, to wit, on Saturdays only. They engaged in a pillow fight tosettle it, and as Jimmy had John fairly well smothered by his rapidfire, I voted that the ayes appeared to have it when they referred thepoint to me. 

As we are very remote and never visited in my wilderness home, it isnot infrequent that I take my morning meal very much indeed in mufti, although Hiroshimi is always most exact himself. On this morning itoccurred to us all that pajamas made a garb more piratical and morenautical than anything else obtainable, so we took breakfast--and Ithink Hiroshimi never served me a breakfast more delicate andtempting--clad as perhaps the Romans were, if they had pajamas inthose times. All went well until the keen eyes of Jimmy, wanderingabout my place, noted a certain photograph which rested on the top ofmy piano--where I was much comforted always to have it, especially ofan evening, when sometimes I played Mendelssohn's _Spring Song_, orother music of the like. It was the picture of the woman who did notknow and very likely did not care where, or how, I lived--HelenaEmory, to my mind one of the most beautiful women of her day; and Ihave seen the world's portraits of the world's beauties of allrecorded days in beauty. Toward this Jimmy ran excitedly--I, withequal speed, endeavoring to divert him from his purpose. 

"But it's my Auntie Helen!" he protested, when I recovered it andplaced it in my pocket. 

"It is your Auntie fiddlesticks, Jimmy, " said I hastily, hoping mycolor was not heightened. "It is your grandmother! Finish yourbreakfast. "

"I guess I ought to know--" he began. 

"What!" I rejoined. "Wouldst pit your wisdom against one who has thesecond sight; have a care, shipmate. "

"It was!" he reiterated. "I know ain't anybody pretty as she is, so itwas. "

"Jimmy L'Olonnois, " said I, "let us reason about this. I----"

"Lemme see it, then. I can tell in a minute. Why don't you lemme seeit, then?" He was eager. 

"Shipmate, " I replied to him, "the hand is sometimes quicker than theeye, and the mind slower than the heart. For that reason I can notagree to your request. "

"But what'd _he_ be doing with Miss Emory's picture, Jimmy?" arguedLafitte. 

"That's what I'd like to know, " I added. "It may be that, in yourhaste, you have confused in your mind, Jimmy, some portrait with thatof the Princess Amèlie Louise, of Furstenburg. " (I had indeedsometimes commented on the likeness of Helena Emory to thatlight-hearted old-world beauty. ) Jimmy did not know that a photographof the princess herself, also, stood upon the piano top, nor did hefully grasp the truth of that old saying that the hand is quicker thanthe eye. At least, he gazed somewhat confused at the portrait which Inow produced before his eyes. 

"Who was she?" he inquired. 

"A very charming young lady of rank, who eloped with a young man notof rank. In short, although she did not marry a chauffeur, she didmarry an automobile agent. And surely, Jimmy, your AuntieHelen--whoever she may be--would do no such thing as that and stillclaim to be a cousin of a L'Olonnois?"

"I don't know. You can't always tell what a girl's going to do, " saidJimmy sagely. "But I don't think Auntie Helen's going to marry a automan. "

"Why, Jimmy?" (I found pleasure and dread alike in this conversation. )

"Because everybody says she's going to get married to Mr. Davidson, and he's a commission man. "

Now, I am sure, my face did not flush. It may have paled. I tried tobe composed. I reached for the melon dish and remarked, "Yes? And whois he? And really, who is your Auntie Helena, Jimmy, and what does shelook like?" I spoke with a fine air of carelessness. 

"She looks like the princess, you said, " replied Jimmy. "And Mr. Davidson's rich. He's got a house on our lake, this summer, and helives in New York and has offices in Chicago, and travels a good deal. He has some sort of factory, too, and he's awful rich. I like himpretty well. He knows how all the ball clubs stand, both leagues, every day in the year. You ought to know him, because then you mightget to know my Auntie Helena. If they got married, like as not, Icould take you up to their house. I thought everybody knew Mr. Davidson, and my Auntie Helena, too. "

Everybody did. Why should I not know Cal Davidson, one of thedecentest chaps in the world? Why not, since we belonged to half adozen of the same clubs in New York and other cities? Why not, sincethis very summer I had put my private yacht (named oddly enough, the_Belle Helène_) in commission for the first season in three years, andchartered her for the summer around Mackinaw, and a cruise down theMississippi to the Gulf that fall? Why not, since I had still unbankedthe handsome check Davidson had insisted on my taking as charter moneyfor the last quarter?

Davidson! Of all men I had counted him my friend. And now here was he, reputed to be about to marry the girl who, as he knew, must haveknown, ought to have known, was all the world to me! Even if she wouldhave none of me, and even though I had no shadow of claim on her--eventhough we had parted not once but a dozen times, and at last in afinal parting--Davidson ought to have known, must have known! And myown yacht! Why, no man may know what may go forward in a yachtingparty. And, if perchance that fall he could persuade to accompany himHelena and her chaperon (I made no doubt that would be her AuntLucinda; for Helena's mother died when she was a child, and she wassomewhat alone, although in rather comfortable circumstances) whatcould not so clever a man as Davidson, I repeat, one with so much of away with women, accomplish in a journey so long as that, with no otherman as his rival? It would be just like Cal Davidson to go ashore atSt. Louis long enough to find a chaplain, and then go on ahead for ahoneymoon around the world--on my boat, with my. . . . No, she was notmine . . . But then. . . . 

All my life I have tried to be fair, even with my own interests atstake. I tried now to be fair; and I failed! I could see but one sideto this case. Davidson must be found at once, must be halted inmid-career. 

It was about this time that Hiroshimi came in with the morning's mailand telegrams, all of which at my place come in from the railway, tenmiles or so, by rural free delivery. I paid small attention to him, most of my mail, these days, having to do with gasoline pumps orpatent hay rakes and lists from my gun and tackle dealers and suchlike. 

Hiroshimi coughed. "Supposing Honorable like to see these yellow wireenvelopings. "

I glanced down and idly opened the telegram. It was from Cal Davidsonhimself, and read:

 "Name best price outright sale bill Helen to me answer Chicago. "

So then, the scoundrel actually was on his way down the lakes, headedfor the South, even thus early in the season! I knew, of course, thatBill Helen meant _Belle Helène_. As though I would sell my boat tohim, of all men! It might almost as well have been a sale of Helenaherself outright, as this cursed telegram stated. I crumpled the sheetin my hand. 

"If Honorable contemplates some answering of mail this morning, itwill be one ow-wore till the miserable pony mail carry all man comes, "ventured Hiroshimi. 

"Nothing this morning, Hiro, " I managed to choke out, "and, Hiro, makeready my bag, the small one, for a journey. "

"S-s-s-s!" hissed Hiroshimi, which was his way of saying, "Yes, sir, very well, sir. " Surprise he neither showed now nor at any time; andsince he never could tell at what hour I might conclude to start forhis country or Europe or Africa or some other land for a stay of weeksor months, there was perhaps some warrant for his calm. He had less todo when I was away; although I always suspected him of poaching mytrout with his infernal Japanese methods of angling. 

At this moment L'Olonnois saw, through the open door, a red squirrelwhich scampered up a tree. At once he forgot all about his AuntieHelen and scampered off in pursuit, followed presently by Lafitte. This gave me time to decide upon a plan. . . . At last, I lifted my headagain. . . . Why not, then?

When L'Olonnois returned from the chase of the squirrel, he was allL'Olonnois and none Jimmy Henderson. The spell of his drama was uponhim once more. 

"What ho, mate, " he began, scowling most vilely at me, "the sun ishigh in the heavens, yet we linger here. Let us up anchor, hoist thetop-gallant mast and set sail for the enemy. "

Jimmy's nautical terms might have been open to criticism, but therewas no denying the bold and manly import of his speech. My own heartjumped well enough with it now. 

"'Tis well, shipmate, " said I. "Come, get ready your togs and yourweapons, and let us away. As you say, the good ship tugs at her anchorchains this morning. "

I managed to better the wardrobe of both boys by certain ducks andlinens from my own store, albeit a world too large. Lafitte, none toohappy at being thus uncongenially clean, was delight itself when setto selecting an armament from my collection. He chose three brightand clean Japanese swords, special blades of the Samurai armorers, forged long before Mutsuhito's grandfather was a boy--I had paid arare price for them in Japan. To these he added three basket-handledcutlasses, which I had obtained in London, each almost old enough tohave belonged to the crew of Drake himself. A short-barreled magazinepistol for each of us was his concession to the present unromanticage. As for Jimmy, he insisted on a small bore rifle as well as ashotgun. "We might see something, " he remarked laconically. 

Thus equipped, I persuaded my associates to lay aside most of theirsomewhat archaic artillery. Neither had taken any thought of othersupplies. Hiroshimi, however, now appeared, bearing, in addition to myhand luggage, two hampers, a roll of blankets and a silk tent in itscanvas wrapper. 

"Honorable is embarked in those small-going boat that is made tied tothe bank?" inquired Hiroshimi. He had said nothing to me about myguests, or asked how they came; but as I knew he would find out allabout it, anyhow, after his own fashion, I had not mentioned anythingto him, or told him what to do. I only nodded now, relying on hisefficiency. He now approached my young pirates, and rather againsttheir will, removed from them some of their burden of weapons, slinging about himself bundles, baskets, bags and cutlery, until healmost disappeared from view. He cast on me a reproachful gaze, however, as he took from Lafitte's hand the bared blade of the oldSamurai sword, and noted the ancient inscription on blade and scabbardas he sheathed it reverently. 

"What does it say, Hiro?" I asked of him. 

"Very old talk, Honorable, " answered Hiroshimi. "It say, 'Oh, Honorable Gentleman who carry me, I invite you to make high and nobleadventurings. '"

"Let me carry it, Hiro, " said I; and I tucked it under my own arm. 

"Good!" exclaimed L'Olonnois. "Then you are going with us? And did youwrite the letters that you promised us?"

"I always keep my word. "

"And it'll be all right back home about mother and the boat? I'll giveyou my six dollars!"

"There is no need. I told you, if you would make me one of the crew ofthe _Sea Rover_ and let me seek my fortune with you, I would gladlypay all the reckoning of our journey. "

"And how long will we be gone?"

"Till after your school begins, I fear. "

"And how far are you going with us?"

"Spang! to the Spanish Main!" I answered. 

So then we set forth down my woodland path. 

CHAPTER VI

IN WHICH I ACQUIRE A FRIEND

We proceeded, therefore, through the wood, sweet in the dew ofmorning, among many twittering birds, and so came, presently, to theend of my path, where the little gate shuts it off from my mowingmeadow; at the upper end of which, it may be remembered, the good ship_Sea Rover_ lay anchored. The grass stood waist-high and wet in thedew as we turned along the meadow side, and L'Olonnois flinched a bit, although Lafitte waded along carelessly. 

I observed that each boy had now thrust into his hat band a turkeyfeather, picked up, en route, along my field's edge. Jimmy was notsure of the correctness of this; and admitted that, sometimes, he hadread literature having to do with Indian fighting, as well aspiratical enterprises. I suggested that, to my mind, nothing quitetook the place of the regulation red kerchief bound about the head;whereat, gravely, both L'Olonnois and Lafitte discarded their hats andfeathers, for the bandannas which I proffered them. Having bound theseabout their foreheads, a great courage and confidence came to them. 

L'Olonnois drew his sword, and with some care placed the bladebetween his teeth. "Hist!" exclaimed Lafitte, himself swept by hisfriend's imagination, and preparing to place his cutlass in his mouthalso. "Let us approach the vessel with care, lest the enemy be about. "So saying, each pirate with a mouthful of cold steel, and a handshading his red-kerchiefed brow, stole through my clump of birchestoward the bend, where the boat had first surprised me; myselffollowing, somewhat put to it to refrain from laughter, although onerarely laughs in the young hours of the day, and myself rarely, atall. 

We were greeted by no hostile shot, and found our vessel quite as wehad left her, as I could see at a glance when we neared the bank; but, none the less, something stirred in the bushes. A growl and a suddenbarking, greeted Hiroshimi as he approached the boat in advance. 

"You, Tige!" called out Lafitte. The dog--a dog none too beautiful, and now just a bit forlorn--approached us, alternately wagging infriendship and retreating in alarm. 

"Well, what do you think of that!" said Jimmy. "We left him back atthe lake--sent him home half a dozen times. How'd he get here, andhow'd he know where we was?"

"He couldn't a-swum the lake, " assented John. "And it was more'n tenmiles around; and how could he smell where we went, on the water? Comehere, Tige, you blame fool!"

"Nay, " said I, "he is no fool, this dog, but a creature of greatreason, else he never could have found you. And I'll be bound he is askeen for adventure as any of us. "

"He is coming here last night two ow-wore after dinner, " said theomniscient Hiroshimi. "Also he bite me on leg. He, also, ismalefactor. "

"He has allotted to himself the duty of caring for the property of hismasters, Hiro, " I said, "and hence is not really a malefactor. Besides, since he would not leave the boat and follow our trail, he isby this time hungry. Feed him, Hiro. "

But Hiroshimi was not eager to approach the piratical canine again; soI, myself, fished something from a hamper and called the dog to me. Heate gladly and most gratefully. 

Now, it is a strange thing to say, but it is the truth, I had neverbefore in my life fed a dog! I had won many knotty suits at law, hadsolved many hard problems dealing with human nature--and had foundhuman nature for the most part rarely glad or grateful--but I havenever owned or even fed a dog. A strange new feeling came in my throatnow. Suddenly I swallowed some invisible intangible thing. 

"John, " said I, "what breed of dog is this?" Indeed, it was hard totell offhand, although he had the keen head of a collie. 

"I guess he's just one o' them partial dogs, " answered John, "mostlyshepherd, maybe; I dunno. "

"Very well, Partial shall be his name. And is he yours?"

"He runs round on the farm. He goes with Jimmy an' me. "

"John, will you sell me Partial?" I asked this suddenly, realizingthat my voice might sound odd. 

"What'd ye want him fer?" he replied. "He'd be a nuisance. "

"I think not. See how faithful he has been, see how grateful he is;and how wise. He reasoned where you were as well as I reasoned who youwere. He knows now that we are talking about him, and knows that I amhis friend--see him look at me; see him come over and stand by me. John, do you think--do you believe a dog, this dog, would learn tolike me, ever? Would he understand me?"

"Well, " said John judicially, standing sword in hand, "I dunno. Someways, maybe dogs and boys understands quicker. But you understandus. Maybe he'd understand you. "

"Well reasoned, Jean Lafitte, " said I, "perhaps your logic is betterthan you know, at least, I hope so. And now I offer you yondermagazine pistol as your own in fee, if you will sign over to me allyour right, title and interest, in Partial, here. Evidently he belongswith us. He seems to care for us. And I experience some odd sort offeeling, which I can not quite describe. Perhaps it is only that Ifeel like a boy, and one that is going to own a dog. Is it a bargain?"

"Sure! You c'n have him for nuthin', " said Lafitte. "He ain't worthnothin'. Besides, I can't charge a brother of the flag anything;anyhow, not you. " I inferred that Jean Lafitte, also, was going togrow up into one of those men like myself, cursed with a reticence andshyness in some matters, and so winning a reputation of oddness orcoldness, against all the real and passionate protest of his own soul. 

"No, brother, " I said to him: "I'll not offer you trade, but gift. Letit be that if I can win the dog, and if he will take me as his masterand friend, he shall be mine. And you take the pistol, and have a careof it. "

"That's all right!" said Lafitte shyly, yet delightedly, as I couldsee. 

"Here, Partial!" I called to the dog; and being young and friendly, and attached to neither in particular, and only in general worshipingthe creature Boy, he came to me! I fed him, stroked him, looked intohis eyes. And in a few moments he put his feet on my shoulders, andlicked at my ear, and began to talk to me in low eager whines, andrubbed his muzzle against my cheek, and said all that a dog could sayin oath of feudal service, pledging loyalty of life and limb. At whichI felt very odd indeed; and began to see the world had many things init of which I had never known; but which, now, I was resolved to know. 

"Honorable is embarking those malefactor canine thing with so muchimpediments in this small-going boat?" inquired Hiroshimi. 

"Yes, " I answered. "At once. All four of us. Put the stuff aboard, Hiro. "

So, somewhat crowded as the _Sea Rover_ was, with three boys and adog, not to mention our supplies and our armament, at last we wereafloat with crew and cargo aboard. Hiro was not surprised, and askedno questions. With the salaam with which he announced dinner, he nowannounced his own departure for his duties at my deserted house; andas he walked he never turned around for curious gaze. Often, oftenhave I, in my readings in the Eastern philosophy, endeavored toanalyze and to emulate this Oriental calm, this dismissal from thesoul of things small, things unessential and things unavoidable. Anenviable character, my boy Hiroshimi. 

Now all was bustle and confusion aboard the good ship _Sea Rover_. "Stand by the main braces!" roared Lafitte. 

"Aye, aye, Sir!" replied the crew, that is to say, Jimmy L'Olonnois. 

"Hard a lee!"

"Hard a lee it is, Sir!"

"Hoist the top-gallant mainsail an' clew all alow an' aloft!"

"Aye, aye, Sir!"

"Man the capstan! All hands to the starboard mizzen chains! Heaveaway!"

"Heave away!" rejoined our gallant crew, never for a moment in doubtas to the captain's meaning. And, indeed, he gave a push with an oarat the bank, which thrust us into the smart current of my littleriver. 

We were afloat! We were off to seek our fortune!

 [Illustration: I, too, stood, shading my eyes with my hand]

Ah, what a fine new world was this which lay before us! But for onething, this had no doubt been the happiest moment in my life. For, always, the attaining of knowledge, the growth of a man's mind andsoul, had to me seemed the one ambition worth a man's while; and now, as I might well be assured, I had learned more and grown more, these last twelve hours or so, than I had in any twelve years of mylife before. Before me, indeed, had opened a vast and wonderful world. That morning, as we swept around curve after curve of the swifttrout-stream that I loved so well, among my alders, through my bits ofwood, along my hills--with Lafitte and L'Olonnois standing, eachalert, silent, peering ahead under his flat hand to see what might lieahead (I astern with Partial's head on my knee), I felt rise in mysoul the same sweet grateful feeling that I had when the new world ofmusic opened to me, what time I first caught the real meaning of the_Frühlingslied_. My heart leaped anew in my bosom, for the timeforgetting its sadness. I saw that the world after all does hold faithand loyalty and friendship and perpetual, self-renewing Youth. . . . Ialso rose, cast my hat aside, and with one hand reaching down to touchmy friend's head, I, too, stood, shading my eyes with my edged hand, peering ahead into this strange new world that lay ahead of me. 

CHAPTER VII

IN WHICH I ACHIEVE A NAME

So winding is my trout river, and so extensive are my lands along it, that it was not until nearly noon that our progress, sometimes haltedby shallows, again swift in the deeper reaches, brought the _SeaRover_ to the lower edge of my estate. Here, the river was deeper andmore silent, the waters were not quite so cold, but as we passed ahigh hardwood bridge from which issued a cool spring of water, Isuggested a halt in our voyage, to which my companions, readilyenough, agreed. We, therefore, disembarked and prepared to have ourluncheon. 

It was obvious to me that Jean Lafitte and Henri L'Olonnois were noton their first expedition out-of-doors, for they set about gatheringwood and water in workmanlike fashion. They did not yet fully classifyme, so, in boyish shyness, left me largely ignored, or waited till Ishould demonstrate myself to them. It was, therefore, with delicacythat I ventured any suggestions from the place where Partial and I satin the shade watching them. 

I have mentioned the fact that I had been a hunter and traveler, andhad met success in the field; yet the truth is, I began all that latein life, and deliberately. To me, used to exact habit of thought inall things, and accustomed to be governed by trained reason alone, itwas never enough to say that a thing was partly done, or well enoughdone to pass: only the best possible way had any appeal to me. Ibrought my reason to bear on every situation in life. Thus, I studiedan investment carefully, and before going into it, I knew what theresult would be. My investments, therefore, always have prospered, because they were not based on guess or chance, as nine-tenths of allthe public's business ventures are. In the same way, I had gonedeliberately about the matter of winning the regard of the only womanI ever saw who seemed to me much worth while. I argued and reasonedwith Helena Emory that she should marry me, proving to her by everyrule of logic that, not only was she the most lovable woman in all therecords of the world, but, also, that love such as mine never hadbefore been known in the world. Sometimes, as I logically proved thefitness of our union, and grew warm at my own accuracy, she wavered, relented, warmed: and then again, forgetting my argument, she wouldrelapse into womanlike frivolity once more. . . . I did not like to thinkof this, as I sat in the shade with Partial. It cost me much inself-respect, irritated me. 

But, having studied sport and outdoor living deliberately as I hadstudied the law and business and Helena, I had rather a thoroughgrounding, on life in the open, for I had read every authorityobtainable; whereas my young associates had read none. So cautiously, now and then, I suggested little things to them, as that the fire neednot be so large, and would do better if confined between two greenside logs. I taught them how to boil the kettle quickly, how to maketea, and also, more difficult, how to make coffee; how to cook baconjust enough, and how to cook fish--for I had taken a few trout earlierin the day--and how to make toast without charring it to cinders. Again, I delighted them by telling them of little camping devices, andquite won their hearts when I found among Hiroshimi's packages, asmall camp griddle with folding legs, of my own devising. It was quiteclean and new, but it performed as I felt quite sure it would. Infact, reason will govern all things--except a woman. 

We ate _al fresco_, as true buccaneers of the main, and grew betterand better acquainted. It occurred to me that mayhap the nauticaleducation of my associates was, after all, somewhat superficial, so Iset about mending it by explaining something of the rigging of theship; and I gave them, by means of the _Sea Rover's_ bowline, somelessons in sailorman splices and knots. The bow-line-in-a-bight, thesheet-bend, the clinch-knot, the jam-knot, the fisherman's water-knot, the stevedore's slip-knot, the dock-hand's round-turns andhalf-hitches for cable makefast, the magnus-hitch, the fool's-knot, the cat's-cradle, the sheep-shank, the dog-shank, and many others--allof which I had learned in books and in practise--I did for them overand over again; just as I could have done for them a half-dozendifferent ways of throwing the diamond-hitch in a pack-train, or thestirrup-hitch in a cow camp, or many other of the devices of men wholive in the open; for beginning late in life in these things, I hadstudied them hard and faithfully. 

I could see--and I noted it with much gratification--that I was risingin the estimation of my pirates. It pleased me not at all to show thatI knew more than they of these things, for I was older and my mind waslong my trained servant; but I had monstrous delight in seeing myselfaccepted as one fit to associate with them. Once or twice, I saw thetwo draw apart in some debate which I knew had to do with me. "Well, now, " Lafitte would begin; and L'Olonnois would demur. "No, I don'tjust like that one, " he would say. By nightfall--and I presume I donot need to recall all the incidents of our afternoon, or of ourpitching camp by the riverside an hour before sundown--I learned whatwas the subject of their argument. I had been admitted to the pirates'band, but the question was over my name. 

We sat by our fireside, before our little tent, after a pleasant mealwhich I know was well cooked because I cooked it myself--trout, ayoung squirrel, and toast, and real coffee--and Partial was close atmy knee, having obviously adopted me. We were fifteen or twenty milesfrom my house, nearly twice that from their homes, but the world, itself, seemed very remote from us. We reveled in a new luxuriousworld of rare deeds, rare dreams all our own. I was conjuring up somenew argument to put before Helena should I ever see her again--as ofcourse I never should--when Lafitte rolled over on the grass andlooked up at us. 

"We was just saying, " he remarked, "that you didn't have no name. "

"That is true. I have not told you my name, nor have you asked it. Hadyou been impolite, you might have learned it by prying about myplace. " I spoke gravely and with approval. 

"No, we didn't know who you was. "

"Let it be so. Let me be a man of no name. A name is of noconsequence, and neither am I. "

"Sho, now, that ain't so. I never seen a better--now, I never seen--"Jean Lafitte's reticence in friendship, again, was getting the betterof him. 

"So we said we'd call you Black Bart, " added L'Olonnois. 

"That is a most excellent name, " said I after some thought. "Atpresent, I can find no objection to it, except that I wear no beard atall and would have a red or brown one if I did; and that Black Bartwas rather a pirate of the land than of the sea. "

"Was he?" queried L'Olonnois. "Wasn't he a pirate, too, never?"

"There was a famous pirate chief known as Bluebeard or Blackbeard, andit may be, sometimes, they called him Black Bart. "

"Wasn't he a awful desper't sort of pirate?"

"He is said to have been. "

"It sounds like a awful desper't name, " said Jimmy: "like as thoughhe'd fill up his ship with captured maidens, an' put all rivals to thesword. "

"Such, indeed, shipmate, " said I, "was his reputation. "

"Well, " concluded L'Olonnois, "we couldn't think o' any better name'nthat, because we know that is just what you would do. "

(So, then, my reputation was advancing!)

"Wasn't you never a pirate before, honest?" queried Lafitte at thisjuncture. "Because, you seem like a real pirate to us. We been, lotsof times, over on the lake. "

"It may be because my father was always called a pirate, " I replied. "You see, in these days, there are not so many pirates who reallyscuttle ships and cut throats. "

"But you would?"

"Certainly. 'Tis in my blood, my bold shipmate. "

"We knew it, " concluded L'Olonnois calmly. "So, after now, we'll callyou Black Bart. You can let your whiskers grow, you know. "

"True, " said I. "Well, we will at least take the whiskers underadvisement, as the court would say. "

"We must be an awful long ways from home, " ventured L'Olonnois, aftera time. 

"Hundreds of miles our good ship has ploughed the deep, and as yet hasraised no sail above the horizon, " I admitted. 

"Do you--now--do you--well, anyhow, do you have any idea of where weare going?" demanded Lafitte, shamefacedly. 

"Not in the slightest. "

"But now--well--now then----"

In answer I drew from my pocket a map and a compass; the latter mostlyfor effect, since I knew very well the bed of our river must shapeour course for many a mile. On the map I pointed out how, presently, our river would run into a lake, into which, also, ran another river;and would emerge on the other side much larger. I showed them thatdown that other river, as, indeed, down mine, logs used to float fromthe pine forests--many of my father's logs, of ownership said to havebeen piratical--and I showed how, presently, this stream would carryus into one of the ancient waterways down which millions of wealth intimber have come; and explained about the wild crews of river runnerswho once ran the rafts down that great highway, and into the greaterhighway of the Mississippi; whence men might in due time arrive uponthe Spanish Main. 

"Is there any way a fellow can get across from Lake Michigan into theMississippi River?" demanded Lafitte, who was of a practical turn ofmind: and on the map I showed him all the old trails of the furtraders, explorers and adventurers, French and English, who haddiscovered our America long ago; whereat their eyes kindled and theirtongues went dumb. 

At last, I told them we must to our hammocks; and soon our bloody bandwas deep in sleep. At least, so much might have been said for Lafitteand L'Olonnois. Alone of the band of sea rovers myself, Black Bart, sat musing by the fire, the head of my friend, Partial, in my lap. 

CHAPTER VIII

IN WHICH WE HAVE AN ADVENTURE

Our band of hardy adventurers arose with the sun on the morningfollowing our first night in bivouac, and by noon of that day, thanks, perhaps, in some measure to my own work at the oars, and a sail whichwe rigged from a corner of the tent, we had passed into and throughthe lake which our map had showed us. Now we were below the edge ofthe pine woods, and our stream ran more sluggishly, between banks ofcattails or of waving marsh grasses. We put out a trolling line, andtook a bass or so; and once Lafitte, firing chance-medley into apassing flock of plover, knocked down a half-dozen, so that we badefair to have enough for dinner that night. It was all a new world forus. No one might tell what lay around the next bend of our wideningwaterway. We were explorers. A virgin world lay before us. The natureof the country along the stream kept the settlements back a distance;so that to us, now, in reality, retracing one of the ancientfur-trading routes, we might almost have been the first to break thesesilences. 

Toward nightfall we came into a more rolling and more park-likeregion; our prow was now heading to the westward, for the generalcourse of the great river beyond. I had no notion to visit the city ofChicago, and our route lay far above that which must be taken by anylarge craft bound for the Mississippi route to the Gulf. 

Farms now came down to the water's edge in places, villages offeredmill-pond dams--around which, in scowling reticence, we portaged the_Sea Rover_, unmindful alike of queries and of jeers. I found time topost additional letters now. Indeed, I was preparing for a long anddetermined enterprise. It was the _Sea Rover_ against the _BelleHelène_; and, did the skipper of the latter loll along in flanneledease and luxury, not so with the hardy band of cutthroats who mannedour smaller and more mobile craft, men used to hardships, content todrink spring water instead of sparkling wines, and to eat the productof their own weapons. 

We were I do not know how far from our first encampment, perhapsthirty miles or more, when toward five o'clock of the evening weconcluded to land at a wooded grassy bank which offered a good campingplace. We made all fast, and in a few moments had our tent up and alittle fire going, Lafitte and L'Olonnois, at this, happy as any twopirates I ever have seen; and were on the point of spreading ourcanvas table cover upon the grass, when we heard a gruff voice hailus. 

"Heh! What're you doin' there?"

We turned, expecting to meet some irate farmer on whose land perhapswe innocently were trespassing; but the figure which now emerged fromthe screening bushes was rougher, bolder, and in some indescribableway wilder, than that of a farmer. I could not, at first, assign thefellow a place, for I knew this was an old and well settled country, and not supposed to be overrun with tramps or campers. He was a stoutman nearly of middle age, dirty and ill clad, his coarse shirt open atthe neck, his legs clad in old overalls, his hat and shoes very muchthe worse for wear. His face was covered with a rough beard, and sobrown and so begrimed that, at once, I guessed this must be somedweller in the open. Yet he seemed no tramp; and even if he were, hehad no right to hail us in this fashion. 

I only looked at him, and made no answer, feeling none due. He cameout into the open, followed by a nondescript dog, which had the lackof decency--and also of discretion--to attack my dog Partial with noparley or preliminary. I wot not of what stock Partial came, butsomewhere in his ancestry must have been stark fighting strain. Mutelyand sternly, as became a gentleman, he joined issue; and so well hadhe learned the art of war that in the space of a few moments, in spiteof the loud outcry of the owner of the invading cur, he had him on hisback in a throat grip which was the end of the battle and bade fairsoon to be the end of the enemy. 

The man who had accosted us caught up a club and made toward Partialwith intent to kill him. Then, indeed, we all sprang into action. Intwo strides I was before him. 

"Drop that!" I said to him quickly, but I hope not angrily. "Call himoff, Jack!" I cried to Lafitte at the same time. 

The sound of conflict ceased as Partial was persuaded to release hisfallen foe, and the latter disappeared, with more wisdom as toattacking a band of pirates. His owner, however, was not so easilydaunted. He still advanced toward Partial, and as I still intervened, he made a vicious side blow at me with his club. 

It all happened, almost, in the twinkling of an eye. Here, then, wasan adventure, and before the end of our second day!

There was not time to learn or to ask the reason for this man'sanimosity toward us, and, indeed, no thought of that came to my mind. A man may lay tongue to one--within certain bounds--and one will onlywalk away from him; but the touch of another man's hand or weapon isquite another matter. That arouses the unthinking blood, and followsthen, no matter the issue, the _gaudium certaminis_, with no care asto odds or evens. Wherefore, even as the club whizzed by to my sidestep, I came back from the other foot and smote the hostile strangeron the side of the neck so stiffly that he faltered and almostdropped. Then seeing that I was so much lighter than himself andperhaps valuing himself against me purely on a basis of avoirdupois, pound for pound, he gathered and came at me, roaring out blasphemy andobscenity which I had rather Lafitte and L'Olonnois had not heard. 

I had not often fought in fact, but knew that, sometimes, a gentlemanmust fight. What astonished me now was the fact that fightingcontained no manner of repugnance to me. With a certain joy I met myfoe, circled with him, exchanged blows with him--unequally it is true, for I was cool as though trying a cause at law, and he was very angry:so that he got most of my leads, and I but few of his, albeit jarringme enough to make my ears sing and my eyes blur somewhat, although ofpain I was no more conscious than a fighting dog. The turf was softunderfoot, and the space wide, so that we fought very happily andcomfortably over perhaps a hundred feet of country, first one and thenthe other coming in; until at last I had him so well blown that hestood, and I knew we must now end it toe to toe. I bethought me of atrick of my old boxing teacher, and stood before him with arms curvedwide apart, inviting him to come into what seemed an opening. Herushed, and my left fist caught him on the neck. He straightened tofinish me, but I stooped and brought my right in a round-arm blow, full and hard into the small of his back and at one side. It sickenedhim, and before he could rally, I stepped behind him, and having noethics save the necessity of subduing him, I caught up his arm by thewrist, and slipping under it with my shoulder, pulled it down till hehowled: a trick, only one of very many, which Hiroshimi patiently hadtaught me. 

That very naturally ended our contest, and it was near to ending ourwar-like neighbor as well. During this warfare, which was short orlong, I knew not, my associates, stunned and perhaps fearful, had satsilent; at least, I neither heard nor saw them. But now, all at once, over my shoulder I saw both Lafitte and L'Olonnois running in to myassistance. Each held in hand a bared blade of the samurai, and had Inot shouted out to them to refrain, I have small doubt that in themost piratical and unsamuraic fashion they mayhap would havedisemboweled my captive; for the old swords were keen as razors, andmy friends were as red of eyesight as myself. 

"No! No!" I called to them, even as our victim writhed and roared interror. "Drop your weapons--that isn't fair. " They obeyed, shamefacedly and with regret, as I am convinced: for illusion withthem, at times, indeed overleaped the centuries, and they were back ina time of blood: even as I was in a stone-age wrath for my own part. 

"Come here, Jack, " I ordered, "and you, too, Jimmy. Do you see how Ihave him?"

They agreed. "It's a peach, " said Lafitte. "Make him holler!"

"No, " I replied, easing off the strain on the wrenched arm, "he hasalready 'hollered. '"

"Yes, sure, 'nuff, 'nuff!----ye!" cried our captive, who, now, was inmortal terror and much contrition, seeing both flesh and blood andcold steel had all the best of him. "Lemme go!"

"Certainly, " I assented; "we did not ask you to come, and do not wantyou to stay. But, first, I must use you in a few demonstrations to myyoung friends. Jack, "--and I motioned to him with my head--"get behindhim. "

Eagerly, his three-cornered gray eyes narrowed, Lafitte skipped backof my man, and with no word from me he fastened on the other wrist sosuddenly the man had no warning, and with a strong heave of all hisbody he doubled that arm up also. Much roaring now, and manyprotestations, for when our prisoner began with abuse, we could changeit into supplication by raising his bent arms no more than one inch ortwo. 

"Now, Jimmy, " said I, "go in front of him, and put a thumb in thecorner of his jaw, on each side. Press up until he begs our pardon. "And, faith, my blue-eyed pirate, so far from shuddering at the task, at last managed to find those certain nerve centers known to allefficient policemen; and very promptly, the man made signs he wouldlike to beg the boy's pardon and did so. 

"Now, give me that arm, Jack, " I resumed calmly, since our subject hadno more fight left in him than a sack of meal. "So. Now go around andput your thumbs in his eyes--no, not really in his eyes, but in themiddle of the bone above his eyes. So. Now, ask this boy's pardon, orI'll twist your arms off. " And he asked it. 

"You couldn't do it if you'd fight fair!" he bellowed. 

"Could I not?" I asked. And cast him free. "Come on again, then. "

"I'm afraid of them kids, " said he. "They'd stick me. "

"No, they would not, " said I; but still he would not come on. Then Imade a quick catch at his wrist, edgewise, and rolled my thumb alongit at a certain place where the nerves lie close to the edge of thebone, as any policeman knows; and he would follow me, then. So I ledhim to our little camp-fire. 

"Now, " said I to him, "be seated, " and he sat. I asked him if he wouldshake hands with me and my boys and make up. He was very sullen, but, at last, did so, not cheerfully, I fear, for he was not of good blood. 

"Tell me, " I demanded then, seeing that the triumph of calm reason hadbeen sufficient in his case, "why did you come here, and why do youtry to drive us off, who are only on a peaceful journey as pirates, seeking our fortune?"

"Pirates!" he exclaimed. "Just what I thought. What's the use myleasin' the pearl fer a mile along here if anybody can come and camp, and go to work, right alongside o' me? If old farmer Snider, that ownsthis land, hadn't gone to town I'd have the law on ye. Me payin' mymoney in and gettin' no protection. Fishin's rotten, too!"

I now perceived that we had encountered one of those half-nomadcharacters, a fresh-water pearl fisherman, such as those who, for someyears, with varying fortune, have combed the sand-bars of our inlandriver for the fresh-water mussels which sometimes, like oysters, secrete valuable pearls or nacreous bits known as slugs. Thisexplained much to me. 

"I know the law, " said I. "Farmer Snider can not lease the highway ofyonder river where the _Sea Rover_ passes. But I know also the law ofthe wilderness. One trapper does not intrude on another who has firstlocated his country. We will pass on to-morrow. Meantime, if you don'tmind, we will go with you to your camp and see how you do your work. Please forget that we have had any trouble. Had you but spoken thus atfirst, and not borne war against these bold pirates, all would havebeen well. "

He looked at me oddly, evidently thinking my mind touched. 

"Come!" I said, wiping the blood from my face, and passing him also abasin of water, "you fought well and the wonder is you did not kill mewith one of those swings or swipes of yours. They were crooked andawkward, but they came hard. "

He grinned and saved his face further by saying: "Well, you was threeto one ag'in me. " I smiled and let it stand so: and after a while, hearose stiffly and we all passed back into the wood. 

We found that we were upon a little island, between two shallow armsof the stream. The camp of the pearl fisher lay at the lower end; andnever have I seen or smelled so foul a place for human habitation. Theone large tent served as shelter, and a rude awning sheltered theruder table in the open air. But directly about the tent, and allaround it in every direction, lay heaps of clam shells, most of themopened, some not yet ready for opening. I had smelled the sameodor--and had not learned to like it--in far-off Ceylon, at the greatpearl fisheries of the Orient. The "clammer" seemed immune. 

Presently, he introduced to us a woman, very old, extraordinarilyforbidding of visage, and unspeakably profane of speech, who emergedfrom the tent; his mother, he said. It seemed that they made theirliving in this way, clamming, as they called it, all the way fromArkansas to the upper waters of the Mississippi. They had made thisside expedition up a tributary, in search of country not so thoroughlyexploited; without much success in their venture, it seemed. The oldlady, her head wrapped in a dirty shawl, sat down on an empty box, andstroked a large and dirty Angora cat, another member of the family, the while she bitterly and profanely complained. It was now dusk, andshe did not notice anything out of the way in her son's rather swollennose and lips. 

I explained to Lafitte and L'Olonnois that we were now come into theneighborhood of possible treasure, and the sight of a few pearls, noneof very great worth, which the old crone produced from a cracker box, was enough to set off Jimmy L'Olonnois, who was all for raiding theplace. 

"What!" he hissed to me in an aside. "Did we not spare his life? Thenthe treasure should be ours!"

"Wait, brother, " said I. "We shall see what we shall see. " And Iquieted Lafitte also, who was war-like at the very sound of the wordpearl. "Them's what they take from the Spanish ships, " said he. "Pearls is fitten for ladies fair. An' here is pearls. "

"Wait, brother, " I demanded of him. For I was revolving something inmy mind. I presently accosted the clammers. 

"Listen, " said I, "you say business is bad. "

"It certainly and shorely is, " assented the old dame, fishing a blackpipe out of her pocket, and proceeding to feed it from another pocket, to the discomfort of the soiled Angora cat. 

"Well, now, let me make you a proposition, " said I, taking a glance atthe heap of fresh shell which lay beyond the racks of trolling linesand their twisted wire hooks, by means of which dragging apparatus themussels are taken--shutting hard on the wire when it touches them asthey lie feeding with open mouths--"you've quite a lot of shellthere, now. "

"Yes, but what's in it? Button factories all shut down with a strike, and no market: and as for pearls, they ain't none. Blame me forcarryin' a grouch?"

"Not in the least. But what will you take for your shells, and agreeto open them for us, at wages of five dollars a day?"

"Both of us?" he demanded shrewdly. I smiled and nodded. "It's morethan you average, twice over, " said I, "and you say the stream is nogood. Now I, too, am a student of the great law of averages, because Iam or was a director in a great life insurance company. You say theluck is bad. Like other adventurers, I say that under the law ofaverages, it is time for the luck to change. "

"The luck's with you, " growled the clammer, "it's ag'in me. "Unconsciously, he put a finger to his swollen nose. "What'll yougimme?" he demanded. 

"One hundred dollars bonus and ten dollars a day, " said I promptly;and he seemed to know I would not better that. 

"Who are ye?" he queried: "a buyer?"

"No, a pirate. "

"I believe ye. I never saw such a outfit. "

"Will you trade?" I asked; "and how long will it take to open thelot?"

"Nigh all day, even if we set up all night and roasted. " He nodded toa wide grating; and the ashes underneath showed that in this way thepoor clams, like the Incas of old, were sometimes forced to give uptheir treasures by the persuasion of a fire under them. 

"Very well, " I said. "We'll call it a day. That's a hundred and tendollars for you by this time to-morrow. I invoke the aid of capitaland of chance, both, against you. You will very likely lose: but ifso, it would not be the first time the producer of wealth has lost it. But I make the wager fair, as my reason tells me I should. "

"Ye're a crazy bunch, and I think ye're out of the state asylum overyonder, " broke in the old woman, "but what the hell do we care whetherye're crazy or not? Ye look like ye had the money. Jake, we'll takehim up. "

"All right, " said Jake. "We'll go ye. "

"To-morrow morning, then, " said I; and our party rose to return to ourcamp, where Partial greeted us with warmth; he having assigned tohimself the duty of guard. And so, as Pepys would say, to bed;although Lafitte and L'Olonnois scarce could sleep. 

"Let him attempt to make a run for it, after we have hove him to, andwe will board him and give no quarter!" This was almost the last ofthe direful speech I heard from L'Olonnois, as at last I turned myselfto a night of deep and peaceful slumber. 

CHAPTER IX

IN WHICH WE TAKE MUCH TREASURE

"You must be awful rich, Black Bart, " said L'Olonnois to me as we saton the grass, at breakfast, the following morning. 

"No, Jimmy, " I replied, putting down my coffee cup, "on the contrary, I am very poor. "

"But you have all sorts of things, back there where you live; and lastnight you said you would pay that man a hundred dollars, just to opena lot of clam shells. Now, a hundred dollars is a awful sight ofmoney. "

"That depends, Jimmy, " I said. 

"'N' we'd ought to _take_ them pearls, " broke in Lafitte. "Didn't welick him?"

"We did, yes; twice. " And in my assent I felt, again, a fiercesatisfaction in the first conquest of our invader, that of body tobody, eye to eye; rather than in the one where I brought intellect toaid in war. "But there are two ways of being a pirate. Let us see ifwe can not win treasure by taking a chance in logic, and so be modernpirates. "

They did not understand me, and went mute, but at last Jimmy resumedhis catechism. "Who owns the place where you live, Black Bart?"

"I do. "

"But how much?"

"Some five or six miles. "

"Gee! That must be over a hundred acres. I didn't know anybody ownedthat much land. Where'd you get it?"

"In part from my father. "

"What business was he in?"

"He was a pirate, Jimmy, or at least, they said he was. But my motherwas not. --I will tell you, " I added suddenly: "my father owned a greatdeal of timber land long ago, and iron, and oil, and copper, whennobody cared much for them. They say, now, he stole some of them, Idon't know. In those days people weren't so particular. The more hegot, the more he wanted. He never was a boy like you and me. Heeducated me as a lawyer, so that I could take care of his business andhis property, and he trained me in the pirate business the best hecould, and I made money too, all I wanted. You see, my father couldnever get enough, but I did; perhaps, because my mother wasn't apirate, you see. So, when I got enough, my father and mother both died, and when I began to see that, maybe, my father had taken a little morethan our share, I began trying to do something for people . . . But Ican't talk about that, of course. "

"Well, why not?" demanded Lafitte. "Go on. "

"A fellow doesn't like to. "

"But what did you do?"

"Very little. I found I could not do very much. I gave some buildingsto schools, that sort of thing. No one thanked me much. A good manycalled me a Socialist. "

"What's that--a Socialist?"

"I can't tell you. Nobody knows. But really, I suppose, a Socialist isa man born before the world got used to steam and electricity. Thosethings made a lot of changes, you see, and in the confusion somepeople didn't get quite as square a deal as they deserved; or atleast, they didn't think they had. It takes time, really, as Isuppose, to settle down after any great change. It's like moving ahouse. "

"I see, " said Jimmy sagely. "But, Black Bart, you always seemed to melike as if, now, well, like you was studyin' or something, somehow. Ain't you never had no good times before?"

"No. This is about the first really good time I ever had in all mylife. You see, you can't really understand things that you look atfrom a long way off--you've got to get right in with folks to knowwhat folks are. Don't you think so?"

"I know it!" answered Jimmy, with conviction. And I recalled, thoughhe did not, the fact that he bathed daily, Lafitte weekly, yet nogulf was fixed between their portions of the general humanity. 

"It must be nice to be rich, " ventured Lafitte presently. "I'm goingto be, some day. "

"Is that why you go a-pirating?" I smiled. 

"Maybe. But mostly, because I like it. "

"It's a sort of game, " said L'Olonnois. 

"All life is a sort of game, my hearties, " said I. "What you two justhave said covers most of the noble trade of piracy and nearly all ofthe pretty game of life. You are wise as I am, wise as any man, indeed. "

"What I like about you, Black Bart, " resumed L'Olonnois, naively, "is, you seem always fair. "

I flushed at this, suddenly, and pushed back my plate. "Jimmy, " said Iat last, "I would rather have heard that, from you, than to hear I hadmade a million dollars from pearls or anything else. For that hasalways been my great hope and wish--that some day I could teach myselfalways to be fair--not to deceive anybody, most of all not myself; inshort, to be fair. Brother, I thank you, if you really believe I havesucceeded to some extent. "

"Why ain't you always jolly, like you was havin' a good time, then?"demanded my blue-eyed inquisitor. "Honor bright!"

"Must it be honor bright?"

"Yes. "

"Then I will tell you. It is because of the first chapter of Genesis, Jimmy. "

"What's that?"

"Fie! Fie! Jimmy, haven't you read that?" He shook his head. 

"I've read a little about the fights, " he said, "when Saul 'n' David'n' a lot of 'em slew them tens of thousands. But Genesis was dry. "

"Do you remember any place where it says 'Male and female created Hethem'?"

"Oh, yes; but what of it? That's dry. "

"Is it, though?" I exclaimed. "And you with an Auntie Helena, and abrother Black Bart. Jimmy L'Olonnois, little do you know what yousay!"

"Well, now, " interrupted the ruthless soul of Jean Lafitte, "how aboutthem pearls?"

"That's so, " assented Jimmy. "Pearls is booty. "

"Very well, then, shipmates, " I assented, "as soon as we have washedthe dishes, we will see what can be done with the enemy yonder. "

We found our two clammers, the young man and his crone of a mother, upbetimes and hard at work, as evil-looking a pair as ever I saw. Theman's face was still puffed and discolored, where my fists hadpunished him, and his disposition had not improved overnight. Hishag-like dam also regarded us with suspicion and disfavor, I couldnote, and I saw her glance from me to her son, making mentalcomparisons; and guessed she had heard explanations regarding blackeyes which did not wholly satisfy her. 

They had already roasted open and examined quite a heap of shells bythe time we arrived, and I inquired, pleasantly, if they had foundanything. The man answered surlily that they had not; but somethingmade me feel suspicious, since they had made so early a start. I sawhim now and then wipe his hands on his overalls, and several timesnoted that as he did so, his middle finger projected down below theothers, as though he were touching for something inside his pocket, which lay in front, the overalls being made for a carpenter, with anarrow pocket devised for carrying a folded foot-rule. But I could seenothing suggested in the pocket. 

"That's too bad, " I said pleasantly. "It looks as though I were goingto lose my hundred, doesn't it? Still, the day is long. "

I busied myself in watching the deft work of the two as they openedthe shells started by the heat, sweeping out the fetid contents, andfeeling in one swift motion of a thumb for any hidden secretion of thenacre. Nothing was found while I was watching, and as I did not muchlike the odor, I drew to one side. I found L'Olonnois and Lafittestanding apart, in full character, arms folded and scowling heavily. 

"If yonder villain plays us false, " said Lafitte between his clenchedteeth, "he shall feel the vengeance of Jean Lafitte! And I wouldn'tput it a blame bit a-past him, neither, " he added, slightly out ofdrawing for the time. 

"You are well named, Lafitte, " I smiled. "You are a good business man. But the day is long. "

It was, indeed, long, and I put in part of it wandering about withPartial, hunting for squirrels, which he took much delight in chasingup trees. Again, I lay for a time reading one of my favorite authors, the wise stoic, Epictetus, tarrying over one of my favorite passages:

"Remember that you are an actor of just such a part as is assigned youby the Poet of the play; of a short part, if the part be short, of along part if the part be long. Should He wish you to act the part of abeggar, ('or of a pirate, ' I interpolated, aloud to myself, andsmiling) take care to act it naturally and nobly; and the same if itbe the part of a lame man, or a ruler, or a private man. For this isin your power--to act well the part assigned to you; but to choosethat part is the function of another. "

I lay thoughtful, querying. Was I a rich man, or a poor man? Was I aruler, or a private man, or a lame man?. . . I asked myself manyquestions, concluding that all my life I had, like most of us all, been more or less a lame man and a private man after all, and muchlike my fellow. . . . It was a great day for me; since each day I seek tolearn something. And here now was I, blessed by the printed wisdom ofage and philosophy, and yet more blessed by the spoken philosophy ofunthinking Youth. . . . I lay flat, my arms out on the grass, and lookedup at the leaves. I felt myself a part of the eternal changelessscheme, and was well content. It has always been impossible for me tocare for the little things of life--such as the amassing ofmoney--when I am alone in the woods. I pondered now on the wisdom ofmy teachers, Epictetus, Jimmy, John and the author of the Book ofGenesis. 

I arose at last with less of melancholy and more of resolve than I hadknown for years. The world swam true on its axis all around me; and I, who all my life had been in some way out of balance in the world, nowwalked with a strange feeling of poise and certainty. . . . No, I said tomyself, I would argue no more with Helena. And meantime since the Poetof the play had assigned me the double rôle of pirate and boy, I wasresolved to act both "naturally and nobly. "

I could not have called either of my associates less than natural andnoble in his part, viewed as I found them when at length I sought themto partake of a cold luncheon. They stood apart, gloom and sterndignity themselves, offering no speech to the laboring clammers, who, by this time, were but masses of evil odors and ill-temper in equalparts. 

"I think he's holdin' out on us!" hissed Jean Lafitte, as Iapproached. "Time and again I seen the varlet make false moves. Lethim have a care! The eye of Jean Lafitte is upon him!"

For my own part, I cared little for anything beyond the sport in mypearl venture, but no man likes to be "done, " so I joined the guardover the pearl fishing. I could see little indication of success onthe part of the two clammers, who went on in their work steadily, exchanging no more than a monosyllable now and then, but who wereanimated, it seemed to us, by the same excitement which governs theminer washing gravel in his pan. They scarce could rest, but went onfrom shell to shell, opening each as eagerly as though it meant afortune. This of itself seemed to me both natural and yet not whollynatural; for it was now late in the day's work. Why should they go onquite so eagerly in what six hours of stooping in the sun should havemade monotonous routine?

They showed me a few pieces they had saved, splinters and slugs ofnacre, misshapen and of no luster, and sneered at the net results, worth, at most, not so much as the day's wages I was paying either. Icared nothing for the results, and smiled and nodded as I took them. 

Thus the day wore on till mid-afternoon, when, such had been the zealof the clammers, the heap of bivalves was exhausted. They stood erect, straightening their stiffened backs, and grinned as they looked at me. 

"Well, " said the old hag, "I reckon ye're satisfied now that we knowthis business better'n you do. He told ye there wasn't no pearl inthis river. "

"No;" added her hopeful son, "an' come to think of it, how'd I everknow you had a hundred dollars? I ain't seen it yet. But we've done, so let's see it now. "

I quietly opened my pocketbook and took several bills of thatyellow-backed denomination, and selected one for him. He took it atfirst suspiciously, then greedily, and I saw his eyes go to my wallet. "I forgot, " said I, and took out two bills of five dollars each, whichI handed to him. 

"By golly!" said he, "so'd I forgot!"

"Why did you forget about your wages?" I asked, and looked at himkeenly. He turned his eyes aside. 

"This fresh-water pearl fishing, " said I, "has many points oflikeness to the ocean pearl fishing in Ceylon. "

"You been there?" he queried. "And why is it like them?"

"In several ways. It is, in the first place, all a gamble. The pearlmerchants buy the oysters as I bought my mussels, by the lump and as achance, based on the law of average product. They rot the oysters asyou do the mussels. The smell is the same: and many other things arethe same. For instance, it is almost impossible to keep the diver fromstealing pearls, just as it is hard to keep the Kafirs from stealingthe diamonds they find in the mines. "

I still was looking at him closely, and now I said to him mildly, andin a low tone of voice, "It would be of no use--I should only beat youagain; and I would rather spare your mother. You see, " I added in alouder tone of voice, "the natives put pearls in their hair, betweentheir toes, in their mouths--although they do not chew tobacco as youdo. One who merely put one in the pocket of his overalls--if he woreoveralls--would be called very clumsy, indeed, especially if he hadbeen seen to do it. "

Involuntarily, he clapped a hand on his pocket. What would have beenhis next act I do not know, for at that moment I heard a voice callout sharply, "Halt! villain. Throw up your hands, or by heavens youdie!" Turning swiftly, I saw Lafitte, his pistol barrel rested in veryserviceable fashion in the crotch of a staff, the same as when hefirst accosted me on my stream, glancing along the barrel with anominous gray eye again gone three-cornered. 

Before I could even cry out to him his warning was effective. I saw myclam fisher go white and put his hands over his head, the while hisdam ran screaming toward the tent--Jimmy L'Olonnois at her heels, sword in hand, and warning her not to get a gun, else her life's bloodwould dye the strand. 

Here, now, was a pretty pickle for a sworn servant of the law to aidin making! A wrong move might mean murder done by these imaginativeyouths, and I no less than accessory, to boot; for, surely, I hadgiven them aid and violent counsel in this drama which we all wereplaying so naturally, if not so nobly. I hastened over to Lafitte andcalled loudly to L'Olonnois, and commanded Partial to drop the renewedencounter with the clammers' dog, which now, also, swiftly threatenedus. So, in a moment or two, I restored peace. 

I held out my hand to the clammer. "I didn't know you seen me, " saidhe simply; and placed in my hand three pearls, either of them worthmore than all I had paid him, and one of them the largest and best Ihad ever seen--it is the pearl famous as the "_Belle Helène_, " thefinest ever taken in fresh waters in America, so it is said byTiffany's. 

I looked at him quietly, and handed him back all but the one pearl. "Iam sorry you were not a better sport, " said I, "very sorry. Didn't Iplay fair with you?"

"No, " said he. "Some folks have all the luck. You come along here, rich, with all sorts of things, you and them d----d kids, and you'drob a man like me out of what little he can make. "

I was opening my wallet again. "I am sorry to hear you say that, " saidI, handing him two bills of a hundred dollars each. "Sorry, because ithas cost you twenty-eight hundred dollars. "

"My God, man, what do you mean?" he gasped, even his fingers slow totake both money and contempt. 

"That the pearl is worth to me that much, since I have purpose for it. I have more money than I want, and fewer pearls like this than I want. It would have given me the keenest sort of pleasure to give you andyour mother a few thousand dollars, two or three, to set you up with alittle launch and an outfit enough to give you a good start--and, perhaps, a good partner. As it is, you are lucky my pirate brother hasnot blown a hole through you, and that my other brother has not shedthe blood of your parent, if she have any. You had a good chance, andlike many another man who isn't good enough to deserve success, youlost it. Do you know why you failed?"

"It's the luck, " said he. "I never had none. "

"No, " said I, "it is not that. So far as luck goes, you are lucky youare alive. Little do you know our desperate band. Little do you knowyou have escaped the wrath of Lafitte, of L'Olonnois, of Black Bart. Luck! No, that is not why you failed. "

"What then?" he demanded, still covetous, albeit rueful, too, at whathe vaguely knew was lost opportunity. 

"It was because you did not play the part of a clammer naturally andnobly, " I replied. "My friend, I counsel you to read Epictetus--andwhile you are at that, " I added, "I suggest you read also that otherclassic, the one known as _The Pirate's Own Book_. "

So saying, since he stood stupefied, and really not seeing my hand, which I reached out to him in farewell, I called to Partial, andfollowed by the two stern and relentless figures, made our way back tothe spot where the good ship _Sea Rover_ lay straining at her hawser. 

"What ho! messmates!" I cried. "Fortune has been kind to our boldband this day. We have taken large booty. Let us up anchor and setsail. Before yon sun has sunk into the deep we shall be far away, andour swift craft is able to shake off all pursuit. "

"Whither away, Black Bart, --Captain, I mean!" said Jean Lafitte (and Iblushed at this title and this hard-won rank, as one of the proudestof my swiftly-following accomplishments in happiness). 

"Spang! to the Spanish Main, " was my reply. 

A moment later, the waves were rippling merrily along the sides of the_Sea Rover_ as she headed out boldly into the high seas. 

CHAPTER X

IN WHICH I SHOW MY TRUE COLORS

There were many lesser adventures in which Lafitte, L'Olonnois and Ishared on our voyage through the long waterways leading down to thegreat river, but of these I make small mention, for, in truth, oneboasts little of one's deeds in piracy after the fact, or of incitingpiracy and making accessories before the fact, the more especially ifsuch accessories be small but bloodthirsty boys. These latter, let meplead in extenuation of my own sins, already were pirates, and setupon rapine. For my own part, seeing their resolution to take greencorn and other vegetables, aye, even fowls, as part of the naturalreturns of their stern calling, I made no remonstrances, not the firstleader unable to restrain his ruthless band, but I eased my ownconscience by leaving--quite unknown to them, --sundry silver coins incleft sticks, prominently displayed, in the hope that irate farmersmight find them when, after our departure, they visited the scenes ofour marauding. And to such an extent did this marauding obtain that, by the time we had reached the Mississippi River, I was almost whollybarren of further silver coins. 

Many things I learned as we voyaged; as that my dog Partial would, when asked, roll over and over upon the ground, or sit up andbark--things taught him by no man known in his history, so far asLafitte could recall it. And things I learned regarding birds andsmall animals of which my law books had told me nothing. As tomosquitoes, I learned that, whereas they do not hurt a young pirate, they do an old one; and I half resolved to discontinue my bookregarding them. Perhaps it was not of first importance. 

But two things grew on me in conviction. First, I loved Helena Emorymore and more each day of my life; and second, that I must see her atthe first moment possible--in spite of all my resolutions to put herout of my life forever! And, these two things being assured, when wesaw the rolling yellowish flood of the Father of the Waters at lastsweeping before us, I realized that, bound as I was in honor to holdon with my faithful band, our craft, the _Sea Rover_--sixteen feetlong she was, and well equipped with Long Toms and deckcannonades--would have no chance to overtake the _Belle Helène_, fastest yacht on the Great Lakes, who might, so far as I could tell, at that very moment be cleaving through the Chicago canal, to enterthe great river hundreds of miles ahead of us. 

Wherefore, leaving my bold mates in bivouac one day, I made journeyto the nearest town. There, I sent certain messages to anxiousparents, and left for them our probable itinerary as touriststraveling by private conveyance. I could not set our future dates andports more closely together; for, before I left town, I had purchaseda sturdy power boat of our own, capable of doing her ten or twelvemiles under her own petrol. I was in no mind to fall farther andfarther back of the _Belle Helène_ each day; and I counted upon ourpiratical energy to keep us going more hours a day than CalDavidson--curses on him!--would be apt to travel. 

I gave orders for immediate fitting of my new craft, and delivery onthe spot; and within the hour, although regarded with much suspicionby the town marshal and many leading citizens, I set out for ourbivouac, with the aid of the late owner of the boat, to whom I gaveassurance that no evil should befall him. When we chugged along theshore, and slackened opposite our camp, I heard the stern voice ofLafitte hail us: "Ship ahoy!" (Perhaps he saw me at the stern sheets. )

"Aye! Aye! mate!" I answered, through my cupped hands. "Bear a handwith our landing line. " Whereat my hardy band came running and made usfast. 

"What has gone wrong, Black Bart?" demanded L'Olonnois, uncertain ofmy status. "Hast met mishap and struck colors?"

"By no means!" I rejoined. "This is a prize, our first capture. Andsince she has struck her colors, let us mount our own at her foremastand ship our band to a bigger and faster craft. "

The late owner, who bore the name of Robinson, looked on muchperplexed, and, I think, in some apprehension, for he must havethought us dangerous, whether sane or mad. 

"Who'll run her?" he at length demanded of me, looking from me to mytwo associates. Then forth and stood Jean Lafitte; and answered aquestion I confess I had not yet myself asked: "Ho! I guess a fellowwho can run a gasoline pump in a creamery can handle one of themthings. So think not, fellow, to escape us!"

I reassured Robinson, who was apparently ready to make a run for it;and I explained to Lafitte and L'Olonnois my plan. 

"We'll by no means discard our brig, the original _Sea Rover_, " saidI, "and we'll tow her along as our tender. But we'll christen theprize the _Sea Rover_ instead, and hoist our flag over her--and painton her name at the first point of call we make. Now, let us hasten, for two thousand miles of sea lie before us, and Robinson is also fivemiles from home. "

But Robinson became more and more alarmed each moment. He had mymoney, I his bill of sale, but ride back to town with us he would not. Instead, he washed his hands of us and started back afoot--to get thetown marshal, I was well convinced. It mattered little to us; for oncemore did sturdy Jean Lafitte more than make good his boast. With onelook at the gasoline tank to assure himself that all was well, he madefast the painter of the old _Sea Rover_, and even as L'Olonnois withgrim determination planted the Jolly Rover above our bows, and as Itossed aboard the cargo of our former craft, Lafitte cranked her upwith master hand, threw in the gear, and with a steady eye headed herfor midstream, where town marshals may not come. 

I looked at my mates in admiration. They could do things I could notdo, and they faced the future with no trace of hesitation. I caughtfrom them a part of this resolution I so long had lacked. I added thisto my determination to see Helena Emory once more and soon as wind andwave would allow. So that, believe me, the blood rose quickly in myveins as I saw now we had faster travel ahead of us. 

"Square away the main braces, my hearties!" I called. "Break out thespinnaker and set the jibs. It's a wet sheet and a flowing sea, andlet any stop us at their peril!"

"Aye! Aye! Sir, " came the response of Jean Lafitte in a voice almostbass, and "Aye! Aye! Sir, " piped the blue-eyed Lieutenant L'Olonnois. The stanch craft leaped ahead, wallowing in cross seas till we reachedthe mid-current of the Mississippi's heavy flood, then riding andrising gamely as she met wave after wave that came up-stream with thehead wind. The eyes of Lafitte gleamed. L'Olonnois, hand over eyes, stood in our bows. "Four bells, and all's well!" he intoned in avigorous voice. 

It was my own heart made answer, in the sweetest challenge it ever hadgiven to the world: "All's well!" And far ahead I, too, peered acrossthe wave, seeking to make out the hull of fleeing craft that boretreasure I was resolved should yet be mine. 

"More sail, Officer!" I called to Jean Lafitte. He grinned in answer. 

"You're in a hurry, Black Bart. What makes you?" And even L'Olonnoisturned a searching gaze upon me. 

"Then I'll show you my true colors, " said I. "I am more careless oftaking treasure than of capturing a certain maiden who flees before usyonder on a swift craft, speedier than our own. Lay me alongside ofher, this week, next month, this winter, and my share of the otherbooty shall be yours!"

"Black Bart, " said Lafitte, "I knew something was sort of botherin'you. So, it's you for the fair captive, huh?"

CHAPTER XI

IN WHICH MY PLOT THICKENS

We sped on now steadily, day by delightful day, and ever arose in mysoul new wonders at the joy of life itself, things that had escaped mein my plodding business life. Now and again, I took from my pocket thelittle volume which always went with me on the stream when I angled, and which I confess sometimes charmed me away from the stream to someshaded nook where I might read old Omar undisturbed--as now I might, with L'Olonnois at the masthead and Lafitte at the wheel. And alwaysthese wise, reckless, joyous pages of the old philosopher spelled tome "Haste! Haste!"

 "Whether at Naishápúr or Babylon, Whether the Cup with sweet or bitter run, The Wine of Life keeps oozing drop by drop. The Leaves of Life keep falling one by one. "

 "Come, fill the Cup, and in the fire of Spring Your Winter-garment of Repentance fling: The Bird of Time has but a little way To flutter--and the Bird is on the Wing!"

What truth, what absolute truth of the red-hot spur lay in thosewords, lesson direst to me! What had my life been, plodding in booksto learn to keep by forms of law the booty my father had stolen? Awaywith it, then, for now the Bird of Time was on the wing! Let me forgetthe wasted years, spent in adding dollar to dollar; for what could thehighest pile of dollars mean to a man who had missed what Lafitte andL'Olonnois and Omar had in their teaching? The booty of the world, thepearls of price, the casks of the Wine of Life, are his only who takesthem. They can not be bought, can not be given. "Oh, haste! JeanLafitte, for my new knowledge indeed eats at my soul. Hasten, for theBird of Life is on the wing, L'Olonnois. " So I spoke to them; andthey, feeling it all a part of the play, gravely answered in kind, towhat end that any who sought to stay Black Bart and his crew did so atperil of their blood. 

We came, I knew not after how many days forgotten in detail--afterpassing, each avoided as a pestilence, many cities prosperous incommerce--alongside the river port of the city of St. Louis, crowdedwith motley and misfit shipping of one sort or other, where our craftmight moor without fear of exciting any suspicion, in spite of ourominous name; for I had the precaution to lower our flag of the skulland cross-bones. 

I sought out the man most apt to know of any considerable vesselsdocking there, and made inquiry for any power yacht one hundred andtwenty-five feet long, white and black ventilators, white hull withblue line, flying the burgee _Belle Helène_, or some such name. Nonecould advise me for a time, and I looked in vain, as I had in everydock in six hundred miles, for the trim hull of my yacht. At last oneold mariner, in rubber boots, himself skipper of a house-boatsouth-bound for a winter's trapping, admitted that he had seen such acraft three days before!

"Did she dock?" I demanded. 

"Sure she did, and lay over night. I remember it well enough, for Isaw her tie up; and that evening her owner went ashore and up-town, and with him his bride, I reckon--handsomest girl in all the town. They must have been married, for he was lookin' like he owned her. That was lemme see, two days ago or maybe four. They came aboard hernext morning, all three--there was a old party along, girl's motherlikely--around eleven o'clock, and in a little while cast off and wenton down-river. As fine a boat as ever made the river run--still as amouse she was, but quick as a cat, and around Ste. Genevieve, Ireckon, before I got back to my own scow after helping them off here. No wonder her owner was proud. He stood on the quarter-deck like alord. Why shouldn't he, ownin' a boat an' a girl like that?"

"He doesn't own either!" I retorted hotly. 

"Why, how do you know he don't?" demanded my sea-going man. 

"Who should know, if not myself?"

"Sho! You talk like you owned her!"

"I do own her!"

"It looks like it. Which do you mean--her the yacht, or her the girl?"

"Both--no! That is, well at least I own the boat. "

"That may all be, or it all mayn't, " he replied, openly scoffing; "atleast so far's the boat goes. Anybody kin buy anything that has theprice. But as to the girl, you'd have to prove it, if I was him. Andif he didn't look like he owned her, or was goin' to, I'll eat yourown gas tank there, an' them two kids in it fer good measure. "

Of course I could not argue or explain, and therefore turned away. Butall the answer of my soul came from the lips of L'Olonnois, who, propped up against the cockpit combing, was reading aloud to Lafittefrom _The Pirate's Own Book_ as I approached. "Hah! my good man!"exclaimed the pirate chieftain as he looked at his blade, "unhand themaid, or by Heaven! your life's blood shall dye the deck where youstand!"

"Ah, ha! Cal Davidson, " said I to myself through my set teeth; "littledo you think that you are discovered in your sins, and little do youknow that the avenger is on your track. But have a care, for BlackBart and his band pursues you!"

And, seeing that we had now laid in abundance of ship's stores, including four drums of gasoline; and since the trail of Cal Davidsonwas, at least, no wider than the banks of the river down which he hadfled, it looked ill enough for the chances of that robber when thestanch _Sea Rover_, her flag again aloft and promising no quarter, chugged out into midstream and took up a pursuit which was to know nofaltering until at last I had learned the truth about the fair captiveof the _Belle Helène_. For indeed, indeed, Omar, and you, too, stoutLafitte and hardy L'Olonnois, the Bird of Life was on the wing. 

CHAPTER XII

IN WHICH WE CLOSE WITH THE ENEMY

Cal Davidson took on five drums of petrol at Cairo, and a like amountof champagne at Memphis, and no man may tell what other supplies atthis or that other point along the river. He evidently suspected nopursuit, or, if he did, was a swaggering varlet enough, for, accordingto all accounts which we could get, he loitered and lingered along, altogether at his leisure, with due attention to social matters atevery port; for if he had not a wife at every port, at least, he hadan acquaintance of business or social sort, so that, one might besure, there were few dull moments for him and his party, whetherafloat or ashore. He must have attended a dinner-party and twotheaters at Memphis, and have sailed only after making three thousanddollars out of a combination in champagne present and cotton future, whose disgusting details I did not seek to learn. Trust Davidson tomake money, and to make the most of life also as he went along. Healways had the best of everything; and surely now he had, for theleisurely, ease-seeking _Belle Helène_, not actuated by any vastmotive beyond that of the bee and the honey flower, slipped on downand ahead with perfect ease, while we, grimy, slow, determined, plowedon in her wake losing miles each hour the graceful _Belle Helène_chose to show us her light disdainful heels, serenely indifferentbecause wholly ignorant of our existence. 

But we held to the chase as true pirates, not loitering at any port, and--since now I, also, had learned something of the intricacies ofour engine, and could take a trick while the others slept--runningtwice the hours daily the haughty yacht would deign to log. I knewthat Cal Davidson would stop to shoot and to visit, and knew that hecould, by no human means, be induced to pass any telegraph point wherethe daily standing of the baseball clubs could be learned--he countedthat day lost in which he did not learn the scores. As for myself, Ihave never been able to understand how any grown man or any oneungrown can take any interest whatever in the deeds of hiredball-playing Hessians, who have back of them neither patriotism noreven a municipal pride. But, for once, I was joyed that the organizedbusiness sense of a few men had put an otherwise able citizen undertribute, because now, though the _Belle Helène_ must pause at leastdaily, the _Sea Rover_ need do no such thing. 

Nor did we. We were hot on the trail of the enemy as he flew southalong the Chickasha Bluffs, hot as he left Memphis behind, and takingthe widening waters which now wandered through low forest lands, reached out for the next city of size, historic Vicksburg on herseventy hills. And hot and eager, more than ever, were we when, chugging around the head of that vast arm of the river, where itcurves like a boy of some southern sea, with its heights rising beyondand afar, we saw what caused me to exclaim aloud, "At last! There shelies, my hearties!"

I pointed on ahead. To my eyes, who had designed her, every line ofthat long, graceful, white hull was familiar. The jaunty rake of herair-shafts, like stacks of a liner, the sweep of her clean freeboardup to her shining rail, the ease of her bows, the graceful boldness ofher overhang--all were familiar enough to me. She was my boat, andonce I was wont to enjoy her. And on board her now was the woman whohad taken away from me all desire to keep a yacht in commission, tokeep open a house in town, or an office, or to frequent my clubs, orto meet my friends. Was she there, this woman; and was she still?--butI dared not ask that question. 

"Full speed ahead, Jean!" I called. "That's the _Belle Helène_! Yonderlies the enemy!"

And then the inevitable happened. Perhaps it was too much gas, perhaps too much lubricant, perhaps a spark plug was carrying too muchcarbon. At any rate, the engine of the _Sea Rover_ chose that time tochug and cease to revolve!

It was more than a mile to the foot of that vast curve; and even as Ileaped at the grimy oily motor, I saw a white dingey with blue trimmake out from the wharf and leisurely pull alongside the landing stairof the yacht. It held two figures only, that of the deck-hand whorowed, and that of the large white-flanneled man who now disembarkedfrom the dingey and went aboard the yacht. He was waving a paper overhis head, so that I inferred the Giants must have won that day. Andthen, as we tugged and hurried with our arbitrary motor, I saw the_Belle Helène_, with a slight smiling salute to friends ashore, swingdaintily about and head out and down the river! The faint andinfallible rhythm of her perfect enginery came throbbing to us acrossthe water . . . I stood up. I hailed, I waved, I shouted, and I feareven cursed. Perhaps they thought some drunken fisherman wasdisporting himself; but certainly, a few moments later, we wererocking on the roll of the river, and the yacht was out of sight andsound around the next great bend. 

"It shall go hard but we overhaul yon varlet yet, " said L'Olonnoisgrimly. 

"Aye, " assented Lafitte; "we've busted a plug, an' he has showed us aclean pair of heels, but it's a long chase if the _Sea Rover_ does notoverhaul him. We'll have to overhaul our engine first, though, " headded thoughtfully. 

But the overhauling of our engine meant a voyage under sweeps to aprecarious landing among divers packets, house-boats and launches, onVicksburg waterside, and a later visit to a specialist in diseases ofthe carburetor; so that, when at last the _Sea Rover_ was ready forthe sea again, her chase might have been a hundred miles ahead an sheliked. 

"Gee!" exclaimed Jean Lafitte, as we were about to cast off. "Lookyhere, de Cubs licked de G'ints five to one to-day. " He pointed tofigures in a newspaper which he had obtained. So then it might havebeen excitement of rage, and not of joy, which had animated CalDavidson when he went aboard. 

"Never mind then, " said I, "for that gives us a day's start. "

"How do you mean?" demanded Jean. 

"It means that yonder varlet will not leave Natchez to-morrow untillate evening, after the wires are in from the northern ball games, " Ireplied. "Of course he'll stop there next. " I felt now that the Lordhad, by implanting this insane lust of petty baseball news in hissoul, delivered my enemy into my hand. 

Now I wist not how or at what dignified speed the _Belle Helène_ swepton down that mighty river through the rich southern lands; nor do Iscarce half remember the painstaking persistent run we made with thegrimy _Sea Rover_ in pursuit, hour after hour, night or day. We had nolicensed pilot or licensed engineer, we bore no lights as prescribedby law, and heeded no channels as prescribed by government engineers. Pirates, indeed, we might have been as we plowed on down in the wakeof our quarry, along the ancient highway famous in fast packet days. We cared nothing for law, order, custom, conventions, precedents--thevery things which had enslaved me all my life I now cast aside. Through bend after bend, along willow-lined flats and bluffs crownedwith stately, moss-draped live-oaks, we swept on and on; and always Istrained my eyes to see, my ears to hear, on ahead some sign of the_Belle Helène_; always strained my heart for some sign from her. Why, even I looked in the water for some bottle bearing a memory from yoncaptive maid to me. Captive? Why, certainly she must be captive; andcertainly she must know that I, Black Bart the Avenger, was upon thetrail. 

We made the pleasant city of Natchez in the evening of the sweetestday on which, as I thought, the sun had ever set. Her lofty hills--forhere the great eastern fence of hills which bound the Vermont Delta onthe eastward sweep in to close the foot of the Delta's V, and runsheer to the river's brink--rose upon our left. The low tree-coveredlands on the Louisiana side lay at our right, and over them hung, center of a most radiant evening curtain, painted in a thousand colorsby the mighty brush of nature, the round red orb of day, now sinkingto his rest. 

I did not begrudge the sun his rest that day. For now, just at theedge of this beautiful picture there hung, at the dry point where theold keel boats used to land at old Natchez, under the hill where thepirates of those days sought relaxation from labors in the joys ofcombat or of wine, I caught sight of the long, low, graceful hull ofthe _Belle Helène_!

"Avast! Jean Lafitte, " I cried. "Shorten all sail, and bear across, west-by-west. "

"Aye! Aye! Sir, " came the response from my bold crew. 

"Why don't we run in and board her?" demanded L'Olonnois. However, seeing that I had laid hold of the steering line where I sat, and washeading the _Sea Rover_ across the Louisiana side, away from thecity's water-front, he subsided. 

"We'll cast anchor yonder where the holding ground is good, " Iexplained. "To-night we'll send off the long boat with a boardingparty. And marry!" I added, "it shall go hard, but we'll hold yonvarlet to his accounting!"

CHAPTER XIII

IN WHICH WE BOARD THE ENEMY

Slowly the vast painting of the sky softened and faded until, atlength, its edges blended with the shadows of the forest. There cameinto relief against the sky-line the etched outlines of the treescrowning the bluff on the eastern side of the great river. Theoncoming darkness promised safety for a craft unimportant as ours aswe now lay in the shadows of the western shore. Meantime, as well asthe failing light allowed, we let nothing on board the _Belle Helène_go unobserved. 

The yacht lay--with an audacity of carelessness which I did not liketo note--hardly inside the edge of the regular shipping channel, butswung securely and gracefully at her cable, held by an anchor which Ihad devised myself, heavy enough for twice her tonnage. On the deck Icould see an occasional figure, but though I plied my binocularscarefully, not the figure which I sought. A man leaned against therail, idly, smoking, but this I made out to be the engineer, Williams, come up to get the evening air. Billy, the deck-hand, John, my Chinesecook, and Peterson, the boat-master, were at the time out of sight, as well as Cal Davidson, who had her under charter. 

We lay thus, separated by some distance of the river's flood, eachcraft at anchor, only one observed by the other. But to my impatientgaze matters seemed strangely slow on board the _Belle Helène_. I wasrelieved when at last the rather portly but well groomed figure of myfriend Davidson appeared on deck. He made his way aft along the rail, and I could see him bend over and call down the companionway of theafter staterooms. Then, an instant later, he was joined on the afterdeck by two ladies. The sight of one of these caused my heart tobound. 

They stood for a moment, no more than dimly outlined, but I could seethem well enough. The older lady, with the scarf about her head, wasAunt Lucinda. The slighter figure in white and wearing no headcovering, was she, Helena Emory! It was Helena! It was Helena!

She turned toward Davidson. I could hear across the water the sound oflaughter. A sudden feeling of anger came into my soul. I shifted myposition in the _Sea Rover_, and stepped on Partial's tail, causinghim to give a sharp bark and to come and lick my hand in swiftrepentance. I feared for the time that his sound might attractattention to our boat, which, if examined closely, might seem atrifle suspicious. True pirates, and oblivious of all law, we had notyet hoisted our riding lights, though for all I know our black flagstill was flying. 

The three figures passed forward along the deck slowly and disappeareddown the front companion-stair which led to the cozy dining-room. Icould see them all sitting there, about my own table, using the verysilver and linen which I had had made for the _Belle Helène_, attendedby John, my Chinese cook and factotum, whom I had especially imported, selected from among a thousand other Chinese by myself at Hankow. Iknew that Davidson would have champagne and a dozen other wines inabundance, everything the market offered. A pleasant party, this ofthree, which was seating itself at my table over yonder, while I, in agrimy, dingy, little tub lay looking at them, helpless in the gloom!Ah, villain, shrewd enough you were when you planned this trip forAunt Lucinda's health! Well enough you knew that of all places in theworld none equals a well equipped private yacht for the courting of amaid. Why, if it be propinquity that does it, what chance had any manon earth against this man, enjoying the privilege of propinquity ofpropinquities, and adding thereto the weapons of every courtesy, everylittle pleasure a man may show a maid? Trust Cal Davidson for allthat! I well-nigh gnashed my teeth in anger. 

I scarce know how the time passed, until at last I saw them, in theillumination of the deck lights, at length come on deck again. Theystood looking out over the river, or toward the lights ofNatchez-under-the-Hill, and at length idly walked aft once more. Thetwo ladies seated themselves on deck chairs under the awning of therear deck. I could not see them now, but heard the tinkle and throb ofa guitar come across the water, touched lightly with long pauses, asunder some suspended melody not yet offered in fulness. Now and againI could hear a word or so, the rather deep voice of Aunt Lucinda, thebass tones of Davidson, but strain my ears as I might, I could nothear the sound of that other voice, low and sweet, an excellent thingin woman. 

At length the little party seemed to be breaking up. I saw Davidson, half in shadow, outlined by the deck lights as he rose, and passedforward. Then I heard the falls run, and a soft splash as the dingeywas launched overside. Cal Davidson was going ashore. He could nolonger resist his anxiety over the baseball score! A moment later Iheard the dip of the oars. Some one turned on the search-light, sothat a wide shaft of light swung along the foot of Natchez Hill, toward which the dingey was headed. The shadows on the deck of the_Belle Helène_ seemed darker now, by contrast, but I believed thatWilliams, the engineer, now had left the rail on which he was leaningover his folded arms. 

I turned now to my wondering companions, who, seeing me so muchinterested, had remained for a long time practically silent. Fall now, curtain of romance, for we be but three pirates here! Up anchor, then, and back across the stream toward our quarry quickly, my bold mates, for now there lies at hand a dangerous work of the boarding party!

Thus I might have spoken aloud; for, at least, I hardly needed to domore than motion to Jean Lafitte, and as we resumed our softlychugging progress, having broken out our shallow anchorage, he steeredthe boat to the motion of my hand. We passed close alongside the_Belle Helène_ and I examined her keenly as we did so. Then, apparently unnoticed, we dropped down-stream a bit, and found anotheranchorage. 

"Clear away the long boat for the boarding party, " I now whisperedhoarsely. I spoke to companions now in full character. Belted andarmed, Lafitte and L'Olonnois rose ready for any bold emprise, eachwith red kerchief pulled about his brow. And now, to my interest, Iobserved that each had resumed the black mask which they had wornearlier in our long voyage, sign of the desperate character of eachwearer. 

"Whither away, Black Bart?" demanded L'Olonnois fiercely. "Lead, andwe follow. "

"You had better put on a mask, Black Bart, " added Jean Lafitte, andhanded me a spare one of his own manufacture. I hesitated, but then, seeing that part of my success lay in our all remaining somewhatpiratical of character, I hastily slipped it above my eyes, and pulleddown my hat brim. "She will not know me now, " said I to myself. Andtruly enough we seemed desperate folk, fierce as any who ever lay inkeel boat off the foot of Natchez bluff, even in the bloodiest timesof Mike Fink the Keel-boatman or of Murrell the southern bandit king. 

Partial, without invitation, climbed into the skiff with us. "Castoff, " I ordered. "Oars!" And my young men--whom by this time I hadtrained in many ways nautical--obeyed in good seaman fashion. A momentlater we lay almost under the rail of the _Belle Helène_. No onehailed us. We seemed taken only for some passing skiff. 

"Listen!" I whispered, "there is risk in what we are going to do. "

I looked at my blue-eyed pirate, L'Olonnois, who sat closer to me. Onhis face was simple and complete happiness. At last, his adventurehad come to him and he was meeting it like a man. 

"What is it, Black Bart?" I heard Jean Lafitte whisper hoarsely. 

"We are to board and take yonder ship, " I replied softly. "If we areto succeed, you must do precisely as I tell you. Leave the main riskto me, that of the law. I'll take possession on the ground that she ismy boat, that her charter money is not paid, and that yonder varlet ismaking away with her out of the country. She holds much treasure, letme assure you of that, my men--the greatest treasure that ever camedown this river. 

"Now, listen. You, Lafitte, as soon as we get aboard, are to run andclose the hatch of the engine-room. That will pen Williams, theengineer, below, where he can make no resistance. As soon as that isdone, run to those doors forward which lead down to the dining-roomcompanionway and shut those doors and latch them. That will take careof John, the cook. The deck-hand is away with the varlet. That leavesonly the shipmaster and the women captives. 

"While you are busy in this way, Lafitte, I will hunt for Peterson, the master, who very likely is sitting quiet on the forward decksomewhere. The main danger lies with him. While I attend to him, you, L'Olonnois, run aft. You will find there two ladies, one very old andugly, the other very young and very beautiful. See that they do notescape, and hold them there until I come aft to meet you. 

"All this must go through as we have planned. Once the maiden is inour power, and the ship our own, we will head down-stream for the opensea. Are you with me, my bold mates?"

"Lead on, Black Bart!" I heard L'Olonnois hiss; and I saw Jean Lafittetighten his belt. 

"All ready, then, " said I. "I'll go forward and make fast the painterwhen we reach the landing stair. Follow me quickly. Leave Partial inthe boat. Gently now. "

Swiftly but silently, we swept in under the lee of the _Belle Helène_. The landing ladder had not been drawn up after Davidson's departure, so that the boarding party had easy work ahead. 

I sprang upon the deck, my footfalls deadened by the rubber mattingwhich lay along all the decks. I turned. Above the rail behind me rosethe face of Lafitte, masked. The long blade of a Malay kris was in histeeth. In one hand he held a pistol, using the other as he climbed. Hescraped out of his belt as he came aboard I know not how many pistolswhich fell into the water, but still, God wot! had abundant remaining. Nor did L'Olonnois, close behind him, his Samurai sword between histeeth, present a spectacle less awesome. I breathed a sudden prayerthat these might meet with no resistance, else I could only fear thedirest consequences!

I made a quick motion with my hand, even as I sprang forward in searchof Peterson. The dull thud of the engine-room hatch, an instant later, assured me that Lafitte had performed the most important part of thework assigned to him. Forsooth, ere long, he had done all his work aslaid out for him. It chanced that, as he sprang to the doors of theforward saloon, he met John, the Chinaman. Reaching for him with onehand, he closed the doors with the other, with such promptness andprecision that the cue of John was caught in the door and he wasimprisoned below, where he howled in much grief and perturbation, unable to escape without the sacrifice of his cue. 

Meantime, I found Peterson, my old skipper, much as I had expected. Hewas a middle-aged, placid, well-poised man, a pessimist in speech, buta bold man in soul. He was fond of an evening pipe, and he sat nowsmoking and looking down the illuminated lane made by oursearch-light. He turned toward me, a sudden curiosity upon his face ashe saw that I was a stranger on the boat, though not a stranger tohimself. 

"Sir--Mr. Harry--" he began, half rising. 

I reached out my left hand and caught him by the shoulder. In myright hand I held a pistol, and this, somewhat gaily, I waved beforePeterson's face. "Halt, " said I, "or I will blow you out of thewater"--a phrase which I had found sufficient in earliercircumstances. 

The old man smiled pleasantly and in mock fashion put up both hishands. Had it been anyone else, he probably would have knocked medown. "All right, Mr. Harry, " said he, "you will have your joke. Buttell me, what's up? We weren't expecting you here. Mr. Davidson's goneashore. "

"Just a lark, Peterson, " said I. I had slipped down the mask so thathe could see me plainly. "By George, sir!" said he, "I am glad to seeyou, back on the old boat again. Where have you been?"

"Just come on board, Peterson, " said I. "I am going to run her nowmyself. 

"Money not paid over, Peterson, " said I. It stretched my conscience abit, although the truth was I had Davidson's uncashed check in mypocket at the time. 

"We've all had our pay regular, " he rejoined. "Why, what's wrong?"

"But I haven't had mine, Peterson, " said I. "When the charter moneyisn't paid and an owner has reason to suppose that his boat is goingto be run out of the country, he has to act promptly, you understand. So I have taken my own way. The _Belle Helène_ is in my charge now, and you will report to me for orders. "

"What's that squalling?" demanded Peterson, who was a trifle hard ofhearing. 

"Something seems wrong with John, the cook, " I answered. "I only hopehe has not made any resistance to my men, who, I promise you, are themost desperate lot that ever cut a throat. For instance, they havelocked Williams down in the engine-room. Go over there, Peterson, andquiet him. But tell him that, if he shows a head above the hatch, heis apt to have his brains blown out. Keep quiet now, all of you, untilI get this thing in hand. "

"But the boat's under charter to Mr. Davidson, " demurred Peterson. 

"Charter or no charter, Peterson, " said I, "I'm in command here, andit's no time to argue. "

At this time we heard cries of a feminine sort from the after deck, soI knew that L'Olonnois, as well, had performed the duty assigned tohim. 

"Stay here, Peterson, " said I. "It's all right, and I'll take care ofyou in every regard. Wait a moment. "

 [Illustration: "Who are you?" she demanded]

I hurried aft. L'Olonnois stood in the shadow, his back against thesaloon door, facing his two prisoners. I also faced them now. The decklights gave ample illumination, so that I could see her--Helena--faceto face and fairly. She turned to me; but now I had pulled up my maskagain, and she could have no more than a suspicion as to my identity. 

"Who are you?" she demanded. "What right have you here?"

For half a moment I paused. Then I felt a sense of relief as I heardat my elbow the piping voice of L'Olonnois in reply. 

"Lady, " said he, standing with folded arms, his bared blade gripped inhis good right hand and showing at a short up-cast angle, "it illbeseems a gentleman to give pain to one so fair, but prithee have acare, for, by heavens! resistance is useless here. "

CHAPTER XIV

IN WHICH IS ABOUNDING TROUBLE

I looked at Helena Emory, glad that she did not at first sightrecognize the intruder who had elicited her wrath, --for she seemedalmost more angry than perturbed, such being her nature. I thought shehad never been half so beautiful as now, never more alive, morevibrantly and dynamically feminine than now. She had not even a scarfabout her head, so that all its Greek clarity of line, all itstight-curling dark hair--almost breaking into four ringlets, two ateach white temple--were distinct to me as I looked at her, even in thehalf light. Her face, with its wondrous dark eyes, was full toward me, meeting this danger for such as it might be; so that, again, I saw thesweet full oval of her brow and cheek and chin, with just these twodark incipient curls above. I could not see the twin dark tendrils atthe white nape of her neck, but I knew they were there, as beautifulas ever. Her mouth was always the sweetest God ever gave anywoman--and I repeat, I have seen and studied all the great portraits, and found none so wholly good as that of Helena, done by Sargent inhis happiest vein. Now the red bow of her lips parted, as she stood, one slender hand across her bosom, panting, but not in the leastafraid, or, at least, meeting her fear boldly, as one high-bornshould. 

She was all in white, with not the slightest jewel or ornament of anykind. I saw that even the buckle at her waist was covered in white. Her boots and her hair were dark; for Helena knew the real art ofdressing. She stood fairly between me and the deck light, so that allher white figure was frank in its gentle curves; erect now, andbravely drawn to all her five feet five, so that she might meet mygaze--albeit through a mask--as fully as a lady should when she hasmet affront. 

I always loved Helena, always, from the first time I met her. I hadbidden adieu to life when, after many efforts to have her see me as Isaw her, I turned away to the long hard endeavor to forget her. Butnow I saw my attempts had all been in vain. If absence had made myheart more fond, the presence of her made it more poignantly, moreimperiously, fonder than before. My whole body, my whole soul, unified, arose. I stretched out my arms, craving, demanding. "Helena!"I cried. 

My voice was hoarse. Perhaps she did not know me, even yet. Her answerwas a long clear call for help. 

"Ahoy!" she sang. "On shore, there--Help!"

Her call was a signal for present trouble. Partial, my dog, abandonedin the long boat, began barking furiously. There came an answeringhail which assured me that yon varlet, Davidson, had heard. I wasconscious of the sound of a scuffle somewhere forward. Below, at myside, Aunt Lucinda gave voice to a long shrill wail of terror. John, my Chinaman, his cue still held fast in the jammed edges of the door, chimed in dismally. Midships I heard a muffled knocking at Williams', the engineer's, hatch. 

I forgot I was standing masked, with a naked weapon in my hand. Idropped my mask, dropped my weapon, and turned quickly toward Helena. 

"Be silent!" I commanded her. 

She stood for one instant, her hands at her cheeks. Then, "Ahoy!" rangout her voice once more in sheer disobedience, and "You!" she said tome, furious. 

"Yes, I, " was my answer, and my own fury was now as cold as hers. "Gobelow, " I ordered her. "I am in command of this boat. Quick!"

I had never spoken thus to her in all my life, but almost to mysurprise she changed now. As though half in doubt, she turned towardthe stair leading down to the ladies' cabin where Aunt Lucinda wasshrieking in terror. 

"Guard the door, " I called to L'Olonnois as I turned away. I heard itslam shut and the click of the lock told me my prisoners were safe, soI hastened forward. 

"Good Lord, Mr. Harry!" cried my skipper, Peterson, when he saw me. "Come here, take this little devil--away--I'm afraid he'll knife me. "

I hurried to him for he struggled in the dark with Jean Lafitte. 

"To the rescue, Black Bart!" called Jean Lafitte. "Catch his otherarm. I've got this one, and if he moves, by Heaven I'll run himthrough. "

"Run me through, you varmint--what do you mean?" roared Peterson. "Ain't it enough you pull a gun on me and try to poke out my eye, andtwist off my arm, without sticking me with that bread-slicer you got?Mr. Harry--for Heaven's sake----"

"There now, Jean Lafitte, " I said, "enough. He has begged forquarter. "

"No, I ha'int, " asserted Peterson venomously. "I'll spank the lifeouten him if I ever get the chance--" I raised a hand. 

"Enough of all this noise, " I said. "I am in charge now, Peterson. Goto the wheel. Break out the anchor and get under way. At once, man! Ihave no time to argue. "

Peterson had never in his life heard me speak in this way before, butnow, for what reason I do not know--perhaps from force of habit, perhaps because he knew I was owner of the boat, perhaps in awe of thenaked kris of Jean Lafitte, still presented menacingly at hisabdomen--the old skipper obeyed. 

I heard the faint jangle of bells in the engine-room below. Obviously, Williams, the engineer, was responsive to his sense of duty androutine. The power came pulsing through the veins of the _BelleHelène_ and I heard her screws revolve. I, myself, threw in the donkeywinch as she forged ahead, and so broke out the anchor. It stillswung, clogging her bows as she turned in the current. The bells againjangled as she got more speed and as the anchor came home. Oursearch-light swept a wide arc along the foot of Natchez Hill, as ourbows circled about and headed down the great river. And now we pickedin full view, hardly sixty fathoms distant, the dingey, pulledfuriously toward us. My friend, the varlet Cal Davidson, half stood inthe stern of the stubby craft and waved at us an excited hand. 

"Ahoy there, Peterson!" he cried. "Stop! Hold on there! Wait! Whereare you going there!"

Peterson turned toward me an inquiring gaze, but I only pointed a handdown-stream, and he obeyed me! I reached my hand to the cord and gavePeterson, Davidson, Natchez and all the world, the salute of a longand vibrant whistle of defiance. It came back to us in echoes from thegiant bluffs, swept across the lowlands on the opposite side. 

"Full speed ahead, Peterson, " said I quietly. 

"Where are we going, Mr. Harry?" he demanded anxiously. 

"I don't know, " said I. "It all depends--maybe around the world. Idon't know and I don't care. "

"I'm scared about this--it don't look right. What's come into you, Mr. Harry?" asked the old man solicitously. 

"Nothing, Peterson, " said I, "except that the bird of time is on thewing. I am a pirate, Peterson----"

"I never knew you so far gone in drink before, Mr. Harry, " said he, ashe threw over the wheel to pick up the first starboard channel light. 

"Yes, I have been drinking, Peterson, " said I. "I have been drinkingthe wine of life. It oozes drop by drop, and is all, too soon, gone ifwe delay. Full speed ahead, Peterson. I am in command. "

"Jean!" I called to my able lieutenant. "Reach over into the long boatand bring Partial on board. He is my friend. And bring also our flag. Run it aloft above our prize. "

"Aye, aye, Sir, " came the reply of Jean Lafitte. And a few momentslater our long boat was riding astern more easily. Jean Lafitte on hisreturn busied himself with our burgee. And at that moment, Partial, overjoyed at also having a hand in these affairs, barked joyously athis discovery of the neglected end of the cook's cue projectingthrough the hinges of the door. On this he laid hold cheerfully, worrying it until poor John shrieked anew in terror; and until I freedhim; and ordered tea. 

I next went over to the hatches of the engine-room, and having openedthem, bent over to speak to Williams, the engineer. 

"It's all right, Williams, " said I. "I am going to take her over nowand run her perhaps to the Gulf. We hadn't time to tell you at first. There has been a legal difficulty. Peterson is on deck, of course. "

"All right, Mr. Harry, " said Williams, who recognized me as he leanedout from his levers to look up through the open hatch. "At first Ididn't know what in hell was up. It sounded like a mutiny----"

"It was a mutiny, Williams, " said I, "and I am the head mutineer. Butyou're sure of your pay, so let her go. "

He did let her go, smoothly and brilliantly, so that before long shewas at her top speed, around fifteen knots an hour. I was familiarwith every detail of the _Belle Helène_, and now I looked in both thegenerating plant and the storage batteries, so that four thousandcandle-power of electric light blazed over her from bow to fantail. The steady purr of the _Belle Helène's_ double sixties--engines I hadhad made under my own care--came to me with a soothing rhythm where Istood near by the wheel. Her search-light made a vast illumination farahead. Brilliant enough must have seemed the passing spectacle of ourstanch little ship to any observer, as we now swept on down the tawnyflood of the great river. Who would deny me the feeling of exultationwhich came to me? Was I not captor and captain of my own ship?

I turned to meet L'Olonnois, my blue-eyed pirate. He stood at my sideas one glorified. The full swing of romance had him, the full illusionof this, --imagination's most ardent desire--now gripped him fully. Hewas no boy, but a human being possessed of all his dreams. His secondself, once oppressed, now free, stood before me wholly satisfied. Ineeded not to ask whether he had been faithful to his trust. 

"I locked the door on 'em, Black Bart, " said he, "and bade them ceasea idle remonstrancing. 'Little do you know, ' say I to them, 'thatBlack Bart the Avenger is now on the trail. Let any oppose him attheir peril, ' says I to them. She give me candy, the fair captive did, but I spurned her bribe. 'Beware, ' says I to her. 'Little do you knowwhat lies before you. '"

CHAPTER XV

IN WHICH IS CONVERSATION WITH THE CAPTIVE MAIDEN

Jean Lafitte, who had so well executed the work assigned him in theboarding party's plans, proved himself neither inefficient norunobservant. He approached me now, with a salute, which probably hecopied from Peterson. 

"How now, good leftenant?" said I. 

"If you please, Black Bart, " he began, "how are we headed, and whatare our plans?"

"Our course on this river, Jean Lafitte, will box the compass, indeedbox an entire box of compasses, for no river is more winding. Yet intime we shall reach its end, no doubt, since others have. "

"And what about our good ship, the _Sea Rover_, that we have leftbehind?"

"By Jove! Jean Lafitte, " I exclaimed, "that is, indeed, a true word. What, indeed? We left her riding at anchor just off the channel edge, and so far as I recall, she had not her lights up, in accordance withthe law. "

"Shall we put about and take her in tow, Black Bart?"

"By no means. That is the very last of my intentions. "

"What'll become of her, then?"

"That is no concern of mine. "

"But nobody'll know whose she is, and nobody can tell what may happento her----"

"Quite true. She may be stolen, or sunk. Why not?"

"But she cost a lot of money. "

"On the contrary, she cost only twelve hundred dollars. "

"Twelve hundred dollars!" Jean drew a long deep breath. "I didn't knowanybody had that much money in the world. Besides, look what you spentfor them pearls. Ain't you poor, then, Black Bart?"

"On the contrary, I have that much more money left, very likely. And Ido not, to say truth, care a jot, a rap or a stiver, what becomes ofthe derelict _Sea Rover_ now. Have we not taken a better ship for ourown?"

"Yes, but suppose yon varlet boards the _Sea Rover_, an' chases us theway we done him?"

"Again, by Jove! Jean Lafitte; an idea. But suppose he does? Much goodit will do him. For, look you, good leftenant, the _Belle Helène_ willnot stop to send any man ashore for baseball scores. Such was not thepractise of the old buccaneers, nor shall it be ours; whereas, nomatter what the haste, yon varlet could in nowise refrain from thatsame folly which hath lost him his ship to us. Each hour will onlywiden the gap between us. Let him take our tub if he likes, and do ashe likes, for 'twill be a long day before he picks up our masts overhis horizon, Jean Lafitte. "

"Aye, aye, Sir!" rejoined my lieutenant, and withdrew. I could see hewas not overjoyed at the abandonment of our earlier ship that hadbrought us so far in safety. All this luxury of the _Belle Helène_ hadthe effect of oppressing a pirate who so short a time ago had startedout on the high seas in a sixteen foot yawl, and who had seen thatyawl, in a manner of speaking, grown into a schooner, the schoonercomparatively grown into a full-fledged four-decker, richly fitted asany ship of the royal navy. 

But these, all, were lesser things to me, for on my soul was a moreinsistent concern. I turned now, seeing that Peterson, whollyreconciled to the new order of affairs, was speeding the boat onwardas though I never had left her; so that I knew she was safe in hishands, although I set Lafitte to watch him. Followed by my faithfulfriend Partial, who expressed every evidence of having enjoyed a mostinteresting evening, I presently made my way aft. 

As I approached the door of the after-cabin suite, occupied by theladies, I made my presence known at first discreetly, then morepointedly, and, at length, by a knocking on the door. 

"Below, there!" I called, boldly as I could; for eager as I was tosee Helena Emory, there were certain things about the interview whichmight be difficult. Lovers who have parted, finally, approach eachother, even by accident, thereafter, with a certain reluctance. (Lovers, did I say? Nay, never had she said she loved me. She had onlysaid she wished she did, wished she could. )

No answer came at first. Then, "Who is it?" in the voice of AuntLucinda. 

"It is I, Mr. Henry--" but I paused: "--It is I, Black Bart theAvenger, " I concluded. "May I come in?"

Silently the door opened, and I entered the little reception-roomwhich lay between the two staterooms of this cabin. Before me stoodHelena! And now I was close to her, I could see the little curls ather temples, could see the double curves of her lips, the color in hercheek. Ah! she was the same, the same! I loved her--I loved her notthe same, but more and more, more!

She held her peace; and all I could do was to stand and stare and thenhold out my hand. She took it formally, though her color heightened. Isaluted Aunt Lucinda also, who glared at me. "How do you do?" I saidto them both, with much originality and daring. 

"Black Bart!" snorted Aunt Lucinda. "Black Bart! It might be, fromthese goings on. What does it all mean?"

"It means, my dear Mrs. Daniver, " said I, "that I have taken charge ofthe boat myself. "

"But how?" demanded Helena. "We did not hear you were coming. And Idon't understand. Why, that rascally little nephew of mine, in themask, frightened auntie nearly to death. And he said the mostextraordinary _things_!

"Where is Mr. Davidson?" she added. "He didn't tell us a word ofthis. "

"He didn't know a word of it himself, " I answered. "Let me tell you, no self-respecting pirate--and as you see, I am a pirate--is in thehabit of telling his plans in advance. "

"A pirate!"

I bowed politely. "At your service. Black Bart--my visiting cards aremislaid, but I intend ordering some new ones. The ship's cook, John, will soon be here with tea. These events may have been wearying. Meantime, allow me to present my friend Partial. "

Partial certainly understood human speech. He now approached Helenaslowly and stood looking up into her face in adoration. Then, withoutany command, he lay down deliberately and rolled over; sat up, barked;and so, having done all his repertory for her whom he now--as had hismaster before him--loved at first sight, he stood again andworshiped. 

"Nice doggie!" said Helena courteously. 

"Have a care, Helena!" said I. "Love my dog, love me! And all theworld loves Partial. "

The color heightened in her cheeks. I had never spoken so boldly toher before, but had rather dealt in argument than in assertion; whichI, later, was to learn is no way to make love to any woman. 

"When do we get back to Natchez?" she demanded. 

"We do not get back to Natchez. "

"Oh? Then I suppose Mr. Davidson picks us up at Baton Rouge?"

"Yon varlet, " said I, "does not pick us up at Baton Rouge. "

"New Orleans?"

"Or at New Orleans--unless he is luckier than I ever knew even Cal tobe. "

"Whatever do you mean?" inquired Aunt Lucinda in tones ominously deep. 

"That the _Belle Helène_ is much faster than the tug we left behind atNatchez, even did he find it. He will have hard work to catch us. "

"To _catch us_?"

"Yes, Helena, to catch us. Of course he'll follow in some way. I have, all the way from above Dubuque. Why should not he?"

The ladies looked from me to each other, doubting my sanity, perhaps. 

"I don't just understand all this, " began Helena. "But since we travelonly as we like, and only with guests whom we invite or who areinvited by the boat's owner, I shall ask you to put us ashore. "

"On a sand-bar, Helena? Among the alligators?"

"Of course I mean at the nearest town. "

"There is none where we are going, my dear Miss Emory. Little do youknow what lies before you! Black Bart heads for the open sea. Let yonvarlet follow at his peril. Believe me, 'twill cost him a veryconsiderable amount of gasoline. "

"What right have you on this boat?" she demanded fiercely. 

"The right of any pirate. "

"Why do you intrude--how dare you--at least, I don't understand----"

"I have taken this ship, Helena, " said I, "because it carriestreasure--more than you know of, more than I dreamed. My father was apirate, I am well assured by the public prints. So am I. 'Tis in theblood. But do not anger me. Rather, have a cup of tea. " John, my cook, was now at the door with the tray. 

"Thank you, " rejoined Helena icily. "It would hardly be courteous toMr. Davidson--to use his servants and his table in this way in hisabsence. Besides----"

"Besides, I recalled that your Aunt Lucinda's neuralgia is alwaysbenefited by a glass or so of ninety-three at about ten thirty of theevening. John!"

"Lessah!"

"Go to the left-hand locker in B; and bring me a bottle of theninety-three. I think you will find that better than this absurdGerman champagne which I see yon varlet has been offering you, my dearMrs. Daniver. But--excuse me----"

Helena looked up, innocently. 

"--A moment before there were six empty bottles on the table there. And I saw you writing. How many have you thrown overboard through theport-hole?"

"I didn't know you were so observant, " replied Helena demurely. "Butonly three. "

"It is not enough, " said I. "Go on, and write your other messages forsuccor. Use each bottle, and we shall have more emptied for you, ifyou like. You shall have oil bottles, vinegar bottles, water bottles, wine bottles, all you like. Yon varlet might run across one, floating, it is true. I hope he will. Methinks 'twould bid him speed. But all invain would be your appeal, for swift must be the craft that can comeup with Black Bart now. And desperate, indeed, must be the man woulddispute his right to tread these decks. "

"I hope you are enjoying yourself, " said Helena scornfully. "Don't besilly. "

"Will you have tea, Helena?" I asked. 

"Poor, dear Mr. Davidson!" sniffed Aunt Lucinda, taking a glance outthe port into the black night. "I wonder where he is, and what he willsay. "

"I can tell you what he will say, my dear Mrs. Daniver, " said I; "butI would rather not. "

"Well, I'll tell you what _I_ say, " snorted Aunt Lucinda. "I thinkthis joke has gone far enough. "

"It is no joke, madam. I was never so desperately in earnest in all mylife. "

"Then put us ashore at Baton Rouge. "

"I can not. I shall not. "

"What do you mean? Do you know what this looks like, the way you areacting, running off with Mr. Davidson's yacht, and this----"

"Yes, madam?"

"Why, it's robbery, and it's, it's, why it's abduction, too. You oughtto know the law. "

"I do know the law. It is piracy. Have we not told you that resistancewould be worse than useless? Haven't I told you I've captured thisship? Little do you know the fate that lies before you, madam, at thehands of my ruthless men if I should prove unable to restrain them!And have a care not to offend Black Bart the Avenger, himself! If youdo, Aunt Lucinda, he may cut off your evening champagne. "

I heard a sudden suppressed sound, wondrous like a giggle; but when Iturned, Helena was sitting there as sober as Portia, albeit I thoughther eyes suspiciously bright. 

"Well, " said she, at length, "we can't sit here all night and talkabout it, and I've used up all my note-paper and bottles. I'll tellyou what I suggest, since you have seen fit to intrude on two women inthis way. We will hold a parley. "

"When?"

"To-morrow. "

"At what hour?"

"After breakfast. "

"Why not at breakfast?"

"Because we shall eat alone, here, --auntie and I--in our cabin. "

"Very well then, if it seems you are so bitter against the newcommander of the ship that you will not sit at the captain's table--aswe did the second time we went to Europe together, we three--don't youremember, Helena?"

"Never--at your table, sir!" said Helena Emory, her voice like a stab. And when I bethought me what that had meant before now, what it wouldmean all my life, if this woman might never sit at board of mine, never eat the fruit of my bow and spear, never share with me the breadof life, for one instant I felt the cold thrust of fate's steel oncemore in my bowels. But the next instant a new manner of feeling tookits place, an emotion I never had felt toward her before--anger, rage!

"It is well, " said I, pulling together the best I could. "And now, bymy halidom! or by George! or by anything! you shall be taken at yourword. You breakfast here. Be glad if it is more than bread andwater--until you learn a better way of speech with me. "

Again I saw that same sudden change on her face, surprise, almostfright; and I swear she shrank from me as though in terror, her handplucking at Aunt Lucinda's sleeve; whereas, all Aunt Lucinda could dowas to pluck at her niece's sleeve in turn. 

"As to the parley, then, " said I, pulling, by mistake, my mask from mypocket instead of my kerchief, "we shall hold it, to-morrow, at whattime and in what place I please. It ill beseems a gentleman to painone so fair, as we may again remark; but by heaven! Helena, noresistance!"

"Wait! What do you really mean?" She raised a hand. "I've told you Ijust can't understand all this. I always thought you werea--a--gentleman. "

"A much misused word, " was my answer. "You never understood me atall. I am not a gentleman. I'm a poor, miserable, unhappy, drifting, aimless and useless failure--at least, I was, until I resolved uponthis way to recoup my fortunes, and went in for pirating. What chancehas a man who has lost his fortune in the game to-day--what chancewith a woman? You ask me, who am I? I am a pirate. You ask what Iintend to do? What pirate can answer that? It all depends. "

"On what?"

"On you!" I answered furiously. "What right had you to ruin me, tothrow me over----"

She turned a frightened glance to Aunt Lucinda, whom I had entirelyforgotten. It was my turn to blush. To hide my confusion I drew on mymask as I bowed. 

I met John coming down with the ninety-three. As he returned on deck amoment later, I pushed shut the doors and sprung the outside latches;so that those within now were prisoners, indeed. And then I stoodlooking up at the stars, slowly beginning to see why God made theworld. 

CHAPTER XVI

IN WHICH IS FURTHER PARLEY WITH THE CAPTIVE MAIDEN

Cal Davidson's taste in neckwear was a trifle vivid as compared withmy own, yet I rather liked his shirts, and I found a morning waistcoatof his which I could classify as possible; beside which I obtainedfrom John the cook a suit of flannels I had given him four years ago, and which he was saving against the day of his funeral and shipmentback to China. So that, on the whole, I did rather well, and I was notill content with life as I sat, with the _Pirate's Own Book_ in mylap, and Partial's head on my knee, looking out over the passingpanorama of the river. The banks now were low, the swamps, at times, showing their fan-topped cypresses close to where we passed; and allthe live oaks carried their funereal Spanish moss, gray and ghostlike. 

We sometimes passed river craft, going up or down, nondescript, dingyand slow, for the most part. Sometimes we were hailed gaily bymonkey-like deck-hands, sometimes saluted by the pilot of a largerboat. At times we swept by busy plantation landings where the leveesscreened the white-pillared mansion houses so that we could only seethe upper galleries. And now at these landings, we began to see thefreight, made up as much of barrels as of bales. We were passing fromcotton to cane. But though it still was early in the fall, the weatherwas not oppressive, and the breeze on the deck was cool. I had verymuch enjoyed my breakfast, and so had my shipmates L'Olonnois andLafitte, to whom each moment now was a taste of paradise revealed. Ienvied them, for theirs, now, was that rare, fleeting and mostdelectable of all human states, the full realization of everycherished earthly dream. It made me quite happy that they were thushappy; and as to the right or wrong of it, I put that all aside forlater explanation to them. 

I looked up to see Peterson, who touched his cap. 

"Yes, Peterson?"

"We're on our last drum of gasoline, Mr. Harry, " said he. "Where'll weput in--Baton Rouge?"

"No, we can't do that, Peterson, " I answered. "Can't we make it to NewOrleans?"

"Hardly. But they carry gas at most of these landings now--so manypower boats and autos nowadays, you see. "

"Very well. We'll pass Bayou Sara and Baton Rouge, and then you canrun in at any landing you like, say twenty miles or so below. Can youmake it that far?"

"Oh, yes, but you see, at Baton Rouge----"

"You may lay to long enough to mail these letters, " said I, frowning;"but the custom of getting the baseball scores is now suspended. Andsend John here. "

The old man touched his cap again, a trifle puzzled. I wondered if herecognized Davidson's waistcoat--he asked no more questions. 

"John, " said I to my Chinaman, "carry this to the ladies;" and handedhim a card on which I had inscribed: "Black Bart's compliments; and hedesires the attendance of the ladies on deck for a parley. At once. "

John came back in a few moments and stood on one foot. "She say, shesay, Misal Hally, she say no come. "

"Letter have got, John?"

"Lessah have got. "

"Take it back. Say, at once. "

"Lessah. At wullunce. "

"Lessah, " he added two moments later. "Catchee lettah, them lady, andshe say, she say, go to hellee!"

"What! What's that, John? She said nothing of the sort!"

"Lessah, said them. No catchee word, that what she mean. Lady, onetime she say, she say, go topside when have got plenty leady forcome. "

"Go back to your work, John, " said I. And I waited with much dignity, for perhaps ten minutes or so, before I heard any signs of life fromthe after suite. Then I heard the door pushed back, and saw a headcome out, a head with dark tendrils of hair at the white neck's nape, and two curls at the temple, and as clean and thoroughbred a sweep ofjaw and chin as the bows of the _Belle Helène_ herself. She did notlook at me, but studiously gazed across the river, pretended to yawn, idly looked back to see if she were followed; as she knew she was notto be. 

At length, she turned as she stepped out on the deck. She was fresh asthe dew itself, and like a rose. All color of rose was the soft skirtshe wore, and the little bolero above, blue, with gold buttons, covered a soft rose-colored waist, light and subtle as a spider's web, stretched from one grass stalk to another of a dewy morning. She wasround and slender, and her neck was tall and round, and in the closefashion of dress which women of late have devised, to remind man oncemore of the ancient Garden, she seemed to me Eve herself, sweet, virginal, as yet in a garden dew-sweet in the morning of the world. 

She turned, I say, and by mere chance and in great surprise, discovered me, now cap in hand, and bowing. 

"Oh, " she remarked; very much surprised. 

"Good morning, Eve, " said I. "Have you used Somebody's Soap; or whatis it that you have used? It is excellent. "

A faint color came to her cheek, the corners of her bowed lipstwitched. "For a pirate, or a person of no culture, you do prettywell. As though a girl could sleep after all this hullabaloo. "

"You have slept very well, " said I. "You never looked better in allyour life, Helena. And that is saying the whole litany. "

"You are absurd, " said she. "You must not begin it all again. Wesettled it once. "

"We settled it twenty times, or to be exact, thirteen times, Helena. The only trouble is, it would not stay settled. Tell me, is there anyone else yet, Helena?"

"It is not any question for you to ask, or for me to answer. " She wascold at once. "I've not tried to hear of you or your plans, and Isuppose the same is true of you. It is long since I have had aheartache over you--a headache is all you can give me now, or evercould. That is why I can not in the least understand why you are herenow. Auntie is almost crazy, she is so frightened. She thinks you areentirely crazy, and believes you have murdered Mr. Davidson. "

"I have not yet done so, although it is true I am wearing his shoes;or at least his waistcoat. How do you like it?"

"I like the one with pink stripes better, " she replied demurely. 

"So then--so then!" I began; but choked in anger at her familiaritywith Cal Davidson's waistcoats. And my anger grew when I saw hersmile. 

"Tell me, are you engaged to him, Helena?" I demanded. "But I can see;you are. " She drew herself up as she stood, her hands behind her back. 

"A fine question to ask, isn't it? Especially in view of what we bothknow. "

"But you haven't told me. "

"And am not going to. "

"Why not?"

"Because it is the right of a middle-aged woman like myself----"

"--Twenty-four, " said I. 

"--To do as she likes in such matters. And she doesn't need make anyconfidences with a man she hasn't seen for years. And for whom shenever--she _never_----"

"Helena, " said I, and I felt pale, whether or not I looked it, "becareful. That hurts. "

"Oh, is it so?" she blazed. "I am glad if it does hurt. "

I bowed to her. "I am glad if it gives you pleasure to see me hurt. Iam. _Habeo!_"

"But it was not so as to me, " I added presently. "Yes, I said good-byto you, that last time, and I meant it. I had tried for years, Ibelieve, with every argument in my power, to explain to you that Iloved you, to explain that in every human likelihood we would make agood match of it, that we--we--well, that we'd hit it off finetogether, very likely. And then, I was well enough off--at first, atleast----"

"Oh, don't!" she protested. "It is like opening a grave. We buried itall, Harry. It's over. Can't you spare a girl, a middle-aged girl oftwenty-four, this resurrection? We ended it. Why, Harry, we have tomake out some sort of life for ourselves, don't we? We can't just sitdown and--and----"

"No, " said I. "I tried it. I got me a little place, far up in thewilderness with what remained of my shattered fortunes--a few acres. And I sat down there and tried that 'and--and' business. It didn'tseem to work. But we don't get on much in our parley, do we?"

"No. The most charitable thing I can think of is that you are crazy. Aunt Lucinda must be right. But what do you intend to do with us? Wecan't get off the boat, and we can't get any answer to our signals forhelp. "

"So you have signaled?"

"Of course. Waved things, you know. "

"Delightful! The passing steamers no doubt thought you a dissipatedlot of northern joy-riders, bound south on some rich man's yacht. "

"Instead of two troubled women on a stolen boat. "

"Are you engaged to Cal Davidson, Helena?"

"What earthly difference?"

"True, none at all. As you say, I have stolen his boat, stolen hiswine, stolen his fried potatoes, stolen his waistcoats. But, bearwitness, I drew the line at his neckties. Nowhere else, however!" Andas I added this I looked at her narrowly. 

"Will you put us ashore?" she asked, her color rising. 

"No. "

"We're coming to a town. "

"Baton Rouge. The capital of Louisiana. A quaint and delightful cityof some sixty thousand inhabitants. The surrounding country is largelydevoted to the sugar industry. But we do not stop. Tell me, are youengaged?"

But, suddenly, I saw her face, and on it was something of outrageddignity. I bent toward her eagerly. "Forgive me! I never wanted togive you pain, Helena. Forget my improper question. "

"Indeed!"

"I've been fair with you. And that's hard for a man. Always, always, --let me tell you something women don't understand--there's thefight in a man's soul to be both a gentleman and a brute, because awoman won't love him till he's a brute, and he hates himself when heisn't a gentleman. It's hard, sometimes, to be both. But I tried. I'vebeen a gentleman--was once, at least. I told you the truth. When theyinvestigated my father, and found that, acting under the standard ofhis day, he hadn't run plumb with the standards of to-day, I came andtold you of it. I released you then, although you never had promisedme, because I knew you mightn't want an alliance with--well, with afront page family, you know. It blew over, yes; but I was fair withyou. You knew I had lost my money, and then you----"

"I remained 'released'. "

"Yes, it is true. "

"And am free, have been, to do as I liked. "

"Yes, true. "

"And what earthly right has a man to try both rôles with a woman--thatof discarded and accepted? You chose the first; and I never gave youthe last. It is horrible, this sort of talk. It is abominable. Forthree years we have not met or spoken. I've not had a heartache sinceI told you. Don't give me a headache now. And it would make my headache, to follow these crazy notions. Put us ashore!"

"Not till I know the truth, " said I. 

"About what?"

"Well, for instance, about the waistcoat with pink stripes. "

"You are silly. "

"Yes. How do you like my suit?"

"I never saw Mr. Davidson wear that one, " said she. 

"For good reasons. It is my own, and four years old. You see, a poorman has to economize. And you know, since I lost my fortune, I've beenliving almost from hand to mouth. Honestly, Helena, many is the timewhen I've gone out fishing, trying to catch me a fish for my supper!"

"So does a poor girl have to economize, " said she. 

"You are most sparing of the truth this morning, Helena, my dear, " Isaid. 

"How dare you!" she blazed now at the tender phrase. "Fine, isn't it, when I can't get away? If I could, I'd go where I'd never see or hearof you again. I thought I had. "

"But you have not. You shall hear and see me daily till I know fromyour own lips the truth about you and--and every and any other man onearth who--well, who wears waistcoats with pink stripes. "

"We'll have a long ride then, " said she calmly, and rose. 

I rose also and bowed. 

CHAPTER XVII

IN WHICH IS HUE AND CRY

We ran by the river-front of Baton Rouge, and lay to on the oppositeside while our dingey ran in with mail. I sent Peterson and Lafitteashore for the purpose, and meantime paced the deck in several framesof mind. I was arrested in this at length by L'Olonnois, who wasstanding forward, glasses in hand. 

"Here they come, " said he, "and a humpin' it up, too. Look, JeanLafitte is standin' up, wavin' at us. Something's up, sure. Mayhap, weare pursued by the enemy. Methinks 'tis hue and cry, good Sir. "

"It jolly well does look like it, mate, " said I, taking his glasses. "Something's up. "

I could see the stubby dingey forced half out the water by Peterson'soars, though she made little speed enough. And I saw men hurrying onthe wharf, as though about to put out a boat. 

"What's wrong, Peterson?" I shouted as he came in range at last. 

"Hurry up!" It was Lafitte who answered. "Clear the decks for action. Yon varlet has wired on ahead to have us stopped! They're after us!"So came his call through cupped hands. 

I ran to the falls and lowered away the blocks to hoist them aboard, even as I ordered speed and began to break out the anchor. We hardlywere under way before a small power boat, bearing a bluecoated man, puffed alongside. 

"What boat is this?" he called. "_Belle Helène_, of Mackinaw?"

In answer--without order from me, --my bloodthirsty mate, L'Olonnois, brought out the black burgee of the Jolly Rover, bearing a skull andcross-bones. "Have a look at that!" he piped. "Shall we clear thestern-chaser, Black Bart?"

"Hold on there, wait! I've got papers for you, " called the officer, still hanging at our rail, for I had not yet ordered full speed. 

"He hollered to me he was going to arrest us, Mr. Harry, " explainedPeterson, much out of breath. "What's it all about? What papers doeshe mean?"

"The morning papers, very likely, Peterson, " said I. "The baseballscores. "

"Will you halt, now?" called the officer. 

"No, " I answered, through the megaphone. "You have no authority tohalt us. What's your paper, and who is it for?"

"Wire from Calvin Davidson, Natchez, charging John Doe with runningoff with his boat. "

"This is not his boat, " I answered, "but my own, and I am not JohnDoe. We are on our way to the coast, and not under any jurisdictionof yours. "

He stood up and drew a paper from his pocket, and began to read. Inreply I pulled the whistle cord and drowned his voice; while at thesame time I gave the engineer orders for full speed. Shaking his fist, he fell astern. 

None the less, I was a bit thoughtful. After all, the MississippiRiver, wide as it was, ran within certain well defined banks fromwhich was no escaping. We were three hundred miles or more from thehigh seas, and passing between points of continuous telegraphiccommunication; so that a hue and cry down the river might indeed meantrouble for us. Moreover, even as I turned to pick up the course--forI had myself taken the wheel--I saw the figure of Aunt Lucinda on theafter deck. She was on the point of heaving overboard a bottle--Iheard it splash, saw it bob astern. "Now, the devil will be to pay, "thought I. But, on second thought, I slowed down, so that distinctly Isaw the officer, also slowing down, stoop over and take the bottleaboard his launch. 

"Ahoy, the launch!" I hailed. He put a hand at his ear as I megaphonedhim. "Take this message for Mr. Calvin Davidson, " I hailed. He noddedthat he heard. "--That to-night John Doe will wear his waistcoat, theone with the pink stripes. Do you get me?"

Apparently he did not get me, for he sat down suddenly and mopped hisface. We left him so. And for aught I could know, he took back ashorematerial for a newspaper story, which bade fair to be better for thenewspapers than for us on board the _Belle Helène_; for, up and downthe river, the wires might carry the news that a crazy man had beenguilty of piracy, highway robbery, abduction, I know not how manyother crimes; and to arrest him on his mad career they might enlistall the authorities, municipal, county, state and even national. "JohnDoe, " said I to myself, "if I really were you, methinks I should makehaste. " None the less I smiled; for, if I were John Doe only, thenCalvin Davidson had no idea who had stolen his chartered yacht, andwho was about to disport in his most cherished waistcoat! Thesituation pleased me very much. "L'Olonnois, " said I, "come hither, myhearty. "

"Aye, aye, Sir, " replied that worthy. "What is it, Black Bart?"

"Nothing, except I was just going to say that I enjoy it very much, this being a pirate. "

"So do I, " said he. "An' let any pursue us at their peril!"

CHAPTER XVIII

IN WHICH IS DISCUSSION OF TWO AUNTIES

L'Olonnois was still all for training the stern-chaser Long Tom (the_Belle Helène's_ brass yacht cannon) on the enemy, and came to mepresently breathing defiance. "'F I only had any chain shot in thelocker, " said he, "beshrew me, but I would pay him well for this! He'sgot my Auntie Helen's auntie scared silly. "

"And how about your Auntie Helena herself?" I asked of him. Thus far, he had been guilty of no nepotism whatever, and had treated his auntieas any other captive maiden, perchance fallen into his ruthless hands. 

"Well, she ain't so scared as she is mad, near's I can see, " was hisreply. "She sat there when I first drove 'em down-stairs, lookin' atme, an' she says, 'Jimmy, ' says she, 'what's all this foolishness?'An' she reaches out her hand, an' she offers me candy--she makes awfulnice fudges, too. She knew that wasn't fair! But I says to her. 'Woman, cease all blandishments, for now you are in our power!' An' Iliked that, fer I been in her power long enough. Then she set down, an' near's I can tell, she got to thinking things over. I knowher--she'll try to get away. "

"She has tried to do so, my good leftenant, is trying now. She andher Auntie Lucinda have thrown over I know not how many bottlescarrying messages. It were only by mere chance yon varlet could escapecoming over some of them. Add this to the fact that yon varlet has gotthe king's navy after us, and marry! methinks we have full work cutout for us. Not that stout heart should falter, good leftenant, eh?"

"We follow Black Bart the Avenger, " said L'Olonnois, folding his armsand frowning heavily. "But say, " he added, "what seems funny to me is, you and my Auntie Helen must of known each other before now. "

"Not at all, not at all--that is, but casually, and long years since. It had long since escaped my mind. " I felt myself flushing sadly. 

"I'll tell her that--I knew she was mistaken. I was sure she was. "

"No! No! Jimmy, you'll tell her nothing of the kind. I only meant----"

"Well, she remembers you, I'm almost sure, an' so does Aunt Lucinda. Aunt Lucinda, why I've heard her back home tell Auntie Helena about asgood fish in the sea, an' she mustn't bother over a man that's poor. Was it you, Black Bart? And are you poor?"

"As I stand before you now, Jimmy L'Olonnois, I'm the poorest beggarin the world, " said I. "I have risked my all on one hazard. If I win, I shall be rich beyond compare. If I fail, I shall be poor indeed. "

"She knows that. She knows you're poor, all right. I heard AuntLucinda tell her often. She said you was rich once, an' lost it all, speculatin' in a mine or something; an' what was the use marryin' aman who hadn't anything? I don't know, but I think that was why AuntLucinda worked up this trip with Mr. Davidson. He's got money toburn--look at this yacht, an' everything--an' I know him and AuntieLucinda, anyhow, have got it doped out that him an' Auntie Helen'sgoin' to get married--even if they ain't now, so far's I know. Anyhow, our takin' the ship has broke up something. But say, now, BlackBart----"

"Well, my good leftenant----"

"_I_ got a idea!"

"Indeed?"

"Yep. Looka here, now--why don't _you_ just do like the pirate booksays?"

"How is that?"

"Marry the captive maid your own self?"

I felt my color rise yet more. 

"Why, now, that happened right along in them days--pirate chief, hetakes a beautiful maiden captive, an' after makin' all his prisonerswalk the plank but just her, he offers his hand an' fortune. An' lotsof times, somehow, the beautiful maiden she married the ruthlesspirate chief, an' they lived happy ever after. Why don't you?"

"I hadn't thought of that, Jimmy, " I said, most mendaciously; "but theidea has some merit. In fact, we've already started in by taking thebeautiful maiden captive, and, mayhap, yon varlet yet shall walk theplank, or swear a solemn oath never to wear such waistcoats as theseagain. But one thing lacks. "

"What?"

"The maiden's consent!"

"No, it don't! They never ast 'em--they just married 'em, that wasall. An' every time, they lived happy ever after. An' they foundedfamilies that----"

"Jimmy!" I raised a hand. "That will do. "

"Well, anyhow, I wouldn't pay any attention to Aunt Lucinda about it. She's strong for yon varlet, for he's got the dough. "

"And isn't your Auntie Helena also--but no, on second thought, I willnot ask you that----"

"Why no, sure not--it's better to demand it of her own fair lips, an'not take no for a answer. They always live happy ever after. "

--"Of course, Jimmy. "

--"And so would you. "

"I know it! I know it!"

"Well, then, why just don't you?"

"Good leftenant, Black Bart will take your counsel into fulladvisement. Later, we shall see. Meantime, we must have a care for ourgood ship's safety, for none may tell what plans yon varlet may belaying to circumvent us. "

So saying, I sought out Peterson and asked him for his maps andcharts. 

There was, as I found by consulting these, a deep bayou, an old riverbed, that ran inland some thirty miles, apparently tapping a richplantation country which was not served by the regular river boats. 

"Do you know anything about this old channel, Peterson?" I inquired. 

"Nothing at all except from hearsay and what you see here, " hereplied. "I don't know whether or not it has a bar at either end, butlikely enough it has at both, though we might crowd through. "

"And how about the gasoline supply?"

"Enough to get us in, at least. And, I say, here's a sort ofplantation post-office marked. There's just a bare chance we could geta drum or so in there. I don't think we can, though. "

"What's she drawing now as she runs, Peterson?"

"Four feet two inches. She's a shade low by the stern. We've quite alot of supplies aboard, this early in the cruise. But I don't supposewe've got enough. "

"Well, Peterson, " said I, "water leaves no trail. If there's no onewatching when we open up this next bend, run for the bayou, and we'llsee if we can get under cover. Of course, it's all a mistake about Mr. Davidson's wiring on to have us stopped--though we can't blame him, since he hasn't any idea who it is that has run away with the boat. But now, it suits me better to double in here, and let the chase tryto find us on the main river; if there is any chase. You see, I don'twant to disturb the ladies unduly, and they might not understand itall if we were overhauled and asked to explain our change in theownership. "

"Quite right, sir, and very good. I catch the idea. But, sir----"

He hesitated. 

"Yes?"

"Well, sir, if I might be so bold, what are your plans about the twoladies?"

"I have none which will effect your navigation of the boat, Peterson. "

The old man flushed a shade. "Excuse me, Mr. Harry. I know you'll donothing out of the way. But the old hen--I beg pardon----"

"You mean the revered aunt, Peterson. "

"Yes, sir, the revered aunt. Well, sir, the revered aunt, dashher!----"

"Yes, dash her starry toplights, Peterson; and even if need be, shiverher timbers! Go on----"

"Why, she's been tryin' to pull off a weddin' on this boat ever sincewe left Mackinaw. "

"Why not? You mean that Mr. Davidson and the revered aunt were gettingon well?"

"Oh, no, bless your heart, no! It was the young lady, Miss Emory. Andshe----"

I raised my hand. "Never mind, Peterson. We can't discuss that at all. But now, I'm minded to give my friend Mr. Davidson a little game offollow-my-leader. And just to show how we'll do that, we'll begin witha preliminary go at hide-and-seek. Take the chance, Peterson, and runinto the bayou. I'll put off the small boat for soundings. If we canget gas, and can get in, and can get out unnoticed, maybe we can runby New Orleans in the night, and none the wiser. "

"And where then, Mr. Harry?"

"Peterson, the high seas have no bridges, and if they had, I shouldnot cross them yet. Perhaps if I did, I then should burn them behindme. "

"She's a mortal fine young woman, Mr. Harry, a mortal fine one. I'llbe sworn he makes a hard run for her. But so can we--eh, Mr. Harry?He'll like enough pocket us in here, though. "

I made no answer to this. The old man left me to take the wheel, andI noted his head wag from side to side. 

CHAPTER XIX

IN WHICH I ESTABLISH A MODUS VIVENDI

As good fortune would have it, we swung in, opposite the screenedmouth of Henry's Bayou, at a time when the stream was free of allcraft that might have observed us, although far across the forest wecould see a black column of smoke, marking a river steamer coming up. 

"Quick with that long boat, Lafitte, " I ordered; and he drew our oldcraft alongside as we slowed down. "Get over yonder and sound for abar. Take the boat hook. If you get four feet, we'll try it. "

My hardy young ruffian was nothing if not prompt, nor was he lessefficient than the average deck-hand. It was he who did the soundingwhile Willie, our factotum, pulled slowly in toward the mouth of theold river bed. I watched them through the glasses, noting that rarelycould Lafitte find any bottom at all with the long shaft of the boathook. "She's all right, Peterson, " said I. "Follow on in, slowly--Idon't want that steamer yonder to catch us. "

"_Why_ don't you?" A voice I should know, to which all my body wouldthrill, did I hear it in any corner of the world, spoke at my elbow. I started for a half instant before I made reply, looking into herdark eyes, sensible again of the perfume most delirium-producing for aman: the scent of a woman's hair. 

"Because, Helena, " said I, "I wish our boat to lie unnoticed for atime, till the hue and cry has lulled a bit. "

"And then?" She bent on me her gaze, so difficult to resist, andsmiled at me with the corners of her lips, so subtly irresistible. Ifelt a rush of fire sweep through all my being, and something she musthave noted, for she gave back a bit and stood more aloof along therail. 

"And then, " said I savagely, "this boat runs by all the towns, till wereach the Gulf, and the open sea. "

"And then?"

"And then, Helena, we sail the ocean blue, you and I. "

"For how long?"

"Forever, Helena. Or, at least, until----"

"Until when?"

"Until you say you will marry me, Helena. "

She made no answer now at all beyond a scornful shrug of hershoulders. "Suppose I can not?" she said at last. 

"If you can not, all the same you must and shall!" said I. "You shallbe prisoner until you do. "

"Is there no law for such as you?"

"No. None on the high sea. None in my heart. Only one law I know anymore, Helena--I who have upheld the law, obeyed it, reverenced it. "

"And that?"

"The law of the centuries, of the forest, of the sea. The law of love, Helena. "

"Ah, you go about it handsomely! If you wished me to despise you, tohate you, this would be very fit, what you say. "

"You may hate me, despise me, Helena. Let it be so. But you shall notignore me, as you have these three years. "

"It was your fault; your wish--as well as my wish. We agreed to that. Why bring it up again? When the news came that you had quit yourprofession, and just at the time you had lost all your father'sfortune and your own, had turned your back and run away, when youshould have stayed and fought--well, do you think a girl cares forthat sort of man? No. A man must do something in this world. Hemustn't quit. He's got to _fight_. "

"Not even if he has nothing to work for?"

"No, not even then. There are plenty of girls in the world----"

"One. "

--"And a man mustn't throw away his life for any one woman. That isn'tright. He has his work to do, his place to make and hold. That's whata woman wants in a man. But you didn't. Now, you come and say we mustforget all the years of off-and-on, all the time we--we--wasted, don'tyou know? And because I am, for a little while, in your hands, youtalk to me in a way of which you ought to be ashamed. You threaten me, a woman. You even almost compromise me. This will make talk. You speakto me as though, indeed, you were a buccaneer, and I, indeed, in yourpower absolutely. If I did not know you----"

"You do not. Forget the man you knew. I am not he. "

She spread out her hands mockingly, and yet more I felt my anger rise. 

"I am another man. I am my father, and his great grandfather, and allhis ancestors, pirates all. I know what I covet, and by the Lord!nothing shall stop me, least of all the law. I shall take my own whereI find it. "

"And now listen!" I concluded. "I am master on this ship, no matterhow I got it. Late poor, as you say, I shall be richer soon, for Ishall take, law or no law, consent or no consent, what I want, what Iwill have. And that is you!

"Each day, at eleven, Helena, " I concluded, "I shall meet you on theafter deck, and shall try to be kind, try to be courteous----"

"Why, Harry----"

"Try to be calm, too. I want to give you time to think. And I, too, must think. For a time, I wondered what was right, in case you hadreally pledged yourself to another man. "

"Suppose I had?" she asked, sphinx-like. 

"I will try to discover that. Not that it would make any difference inmy plans. "

"You would take what was another's?" She still gazed at me, sphinx-like. 

"Yes! By the Lord, Helena, my father did, and his, and so would I! Sowould I, if that were you! Let him fend for himself. "

She turned from the rail, her color a little heightened, affected toyawn, stretched her arms. 

We were now passing over the bar, slowly, feeling our way, our skiffalongside, and the shelter of the curving, tree-covered bayou banksnow beginning to hide us from view, though the bellowing steamer belowhad not yet entered our bend. 

"Who is that boy?" she inquired lazily. 

"That, madam, is no less than the celebrated freebooter, Jean Lafitte, who so long made this lower coast his rendezvous. "

"Nonsense! And you're filling his head with wild ideas. "

"Say not so; 'twas he and your blessed blue-eyed pirate nephew, thecutthroat L'Olonnois, who filled my head with wild ideas. "

"How, then?"

"They took me prisoner, on my own--I mean, at the little place where Istop, up in the country. And not till by stern deeds I had won theirconfidence, did they accept me as comrade, and, at last, as leader--asI may modestly claim to be. And do not think that you can wheedleeither of them away from Black Bart. L'Olonnois remembers you spankedhim once, and has sworn a bitter vengeance. "

"Why did you happen to start sailing down this way?"

"Because I learned Cal Davidson had started--with you. "

"And all that way you had it in mind to overtake us?"

"Yes; and have done so; and have taken his ship away from him, and forall I know his bride. "

"He was your friend. "

"I thought so. I suppose he never knew that you and I used to--well, to know each other, before I lost my money. "

"He never spoke of that. "

"No difference, unless all for the better, for I shall, now, nevergive you up to any man on earth. "

"And I thought you the best product of our civilization, a man ofeducation, of breeding. "

"No, not breeding, unless savagery gives it. I'm civilized no longer. When you stand near me, and your hair--go below, Helena! Go at once!"

She turned, moved slowly toward her door. 

I finished calmly as I could. "To-morrow, at eleven, I shall give youan audience here on the deck. We shall have time. This is awilderness. You can not get away, and I hope no one will find you. That is my risk. And oh! Helena, " I added, suddenly, feeling my heartsoften at the pallor of her face--"Oh, Helena, Helena, try to thinkgently of me as you can, for all these miles I have followed afteryou; and all these years I have thought of you. You do not know--youdo not know! It has been one long agony. Now go, please. I promise tokeep myself as courteous as I can. You and I and Aunt Lucinda willjust have a pleasant voyage together until--until that time. Try to bekind to me, Helena, as I shall try to be with you. "

Silent, unsmiling, she disappeared beyond her cabin door, nor wouldshe eat dinner even in her cabin, although Aunt Lucinda did; and foundthe ninety-three was helping her neuralgia. 

I know not if they slept, but I slept not at all. The shadows hungblack about us as we lay at anchor four miles inland, silent, and withno lights burning to betray us. Now and again, I could hear faintvoices of the night, betimes croakings, splashings in the black waterabout us. It was as though the jungle had enclosed us, deep andsecret-keeping. And in my heart the fierce fever of the jungle'steachings burned, so that I might not sleep. 

But in the morning Helena was fresh, all in white, and with no morethan a faint blue of shadow beneath her eyes. She honored us atbreakfast, and made no manner of reference to what had gone on theevening before. This, then, I saw, was to be our _modus vivendi_;convention, the social customs we all had known, the art, the gloss, the veneer of life, as life runs on in society as we have organizedit! Ah, she fought cunningly!

"Black Bart, " said L'Olonnois, after breakfast as we all stood ondeck--Helena, Auntie Lucinda and all--"what's all them things floatin'around in the water?"

"They look like bottles, leftenant, " said I; "perhaps they may havefloated in here. How do you suppose they came here, Mrs. Daniver?" Iasked. 

"How should I know?" sniffed that lady. 

"Well, good leftenant, go overside, you and Jean, and gather up allthose bottles, and carry them with my compliments to the ladies attheir cabin. You can have the satisfaction of throwing them alloverboard later on, Mrs. Daniver. Only, remember, that there is nocurrent in the bayou, and they will stay where they fall for weeks, unless for the wind. "

"And where shall we be, then?" demanded Auntie Lucinda, who had eatena hearty breakfast, and I must say was looking uncommon fit for one soafflicted with neuralgia. 

"Oh, very likely here, in the same place, my dear Mrs. Daniver, " saidI, "unless war should break out meantime. At present we all seem tohave a very good _modus vivendi_, and as I have no pressingengagements, I can conceive of nothing more charming than passing thewinter here in your society. " Saying which I bowed, and turning toHelena, "At eleven, then, if you please?"

CHAPTER XX

IN WHICH I HAVE POLITE CONVERSATION, BUT LITTLE ELSE

I had myself quite forgotten my appointed hour of eleven, feeling sosure that it would not be remembered, as of covenant, by the party ofthe second part, so to speak, and was sitting on the forward decklooking out over the interesting pictures of the landscape that layabout us. It was the morning of a Sabbath, and a Sabbath calm lay allabout us--silence, and hush, and arrested action. The sun itself, warmat a time when soon the breezes must have been chill at my northernhome, was veiled in a soft and tender mist, which brought into yetlower tones the pale greens and grays of the southern forest whichcame close to the bayou's edge. The forest about us not yet fallenbefore the devastating northern lumbermen--men such as my father hadbeen, who cared nothing for a tree or a country save as it might cometo cash--was in part cypress, in part cottonwood, but on the ridgewere many oaks, and over all hung the soft gray Spanish moss. Thebayou itself, once the river, but now released from all the river'stroubling duties, held its unceasing calm, fitted the completeretirement of the spot, and scarce a ripple broke it anywhere. Overit, on ahead, now and then passed a long-legged white crane, bound forsome distant and inaccessible swamp; all things fitting perfectly intothis quiet Sabbath picture. 

My cigar was excellent, I had my copy of Epictetus at hand, and allseemed well with the world save one thing. Here, at hand, waseverything man could ask, all comforts, many luxuries; and I knew, though Helena did not, that the safe increase of my fortune--thatfortune which some had called tainted, and which I myself valuedlittle, soon as I had helped increase it by the exercise of myprofession--was quite enough to maintain equal comfort or luxury forus all our lives. But she was obstinate, and so was I. She would notsay whether she loved Cal Davidson, and I would never undeceive her asto my supposed poverty. Why, the very fact that she had dismissed mewhen she thought my fortune gone--that, alone, should have proved herunworthy of a man's second thought. Therefore, ergo, hence, andconsequently, I could not have been a man; for I swear I was givingher a second thought, and a thousandth; until I rebelled at a weaknessthat could not put a mere woman out of mind. 

And then, I slowly turned my head, and saw her standing on the afterdeck. Her footfall was not audible on the rubber deck-mats, and shehad not spoken. I resolved, as soon as I had leisure, to ask somescientific friends to explain how it was possible that with no soundor other appeal to any of the sensorial nerves, I could, at a distanceof seventy-five feet, become conscious of the presence of a person nomore than five feet five, who had not spoken a word, and was standingidly looking out over the ship's rail, in quite the opposite directionfrom that in which I sat. And then the ship's clock struck six bells, and recalled the appointment at eleven. Hastily I dropped Epictetusand my cigar, and hurried aft. 

"Good morning again, Helena, " said I. 

She stood looking on out over the water for a time, but, at length, turned toward me, just a finger up as to stifle a yawn. "Really, " saidshe, "while I am hardly so situated that I can well escape it orresent it, it does seem to me that you might well be just a trifleless familiar. Why not 'Miss Emory'?"

"Because, Helena, I like 'Helena' better. "

A slow anger came into her eyes. She beat a swift foot on the deck. 

"Don't, " I said. "Don't stamp with your feet. It reminds me of aBelgian hare, and I do not like them, potted or caged. "

"I might as well be one, " she broke out, "as well be one, caged hereas we are, and insulted by a--a----"

"A ruthless buccaneer----"

"Yes, a ruthless buccaneer, who has remembered only brutalities. "

"And forgotten all amenities? Why, Helena, how could you! And afterall the cork-tipped cigarettes I have given you, and all theninety-three I have given your Auntie Lucinda--why look at the emptymessage bottles she and you have thrown out into the helpless andunhelping bayou--a perfect fleet of them, bobbing around. Shan't Isend the boys overboard to gather them in for you again?"

"A fine education you are giving those boys, aren't you, filling theirheads with lawless ideas! A fine debt we'll all owe you for ruiningthe character of my nephew Jimmy. He was such a nice nephew, too. "

"Your admiration is mutual, Miss Emory--I mean, Helena. He says youare a very nice auntie, and your divinity fudges are not surpassed andseldom equaled. It is an accomplishment, however, of no special use toa poor pirate's bride; as I intend you shall be. "

She had turned her back on me now. 

"Besides, as to that, " I went on, "I am only affording these younggentlemen the same advantages offered by the advertisements of theUnited States navy recruiting service--good wages, good fare, and anopportunity to see the world. Come now, we'll all see the worldtogether. Shall we not, Miss Emory--I mean, Helena?"

"We can't live here forever, anyhow, " said she. 

"I could, " was my swift answer. "Forever, in just this quiet scene. Forever, with all the world forgot, and just you standing there as youare, the most beautiful girl I ever saw; and once, I thought, thekindest. "

"That I am not. "

"No. I was much mistaken in you, much disappointed. It grieved me tosee you fall below the standard I had set for you. I thought yourideals high and fine. They were not, as I learned to my sorrow. Youwere just like all the rest. You cared only for my money, because itcould give you ease, luxury, station. When that was gone, you carednothing for me. "

I stood looking at her lovely shoulders for some time, but she made nosign. 

"And therefore, finding you so fallen, " I resumed, "finding you only, after all, like the other worthless, parasitic women of the day, MissEmory--Helena, I mean--I resolved to do what I could to educate you. And so I offer you the same footing that I do your nephew--goodwages, good fare, and an opportunity to see the world. "

No answer whatever. 

"Do you remember the Bay of Naples, at sunset, as we saw it when wefirst steamed in on the old _City of Berlin_, Helena?"

No answer. 

"And do you recall Fuji-yama, with the white top--remember therickshaw rides together, Helena?"

No answer. 

"And then, the fiords of Norway, and the mountains? Or the chalkcliffs off Dover? And those sweet green fields of England--as we rodeup to London town? And the taxis there, just you and I, Helena, withAunt Lucinda happily evaded--just you and I? Yes, I am thinking offorcing Aunt Lucinda to walk the plank ere long, Helena. I want aworld all my own, Helena, the world that was meant for us, Helena, made for us--a world with no living thing in it but yondermocking-bird that's singing; and you, and me. "

"Could you not dispense with the mocking-bird--and me?" she asked. 

"No, " (I winced at her thrust, however). "No, not with you. And youknow in your heart, in the bottom of your trifling and fickle andworthless heart, Helena Emory, that if it came to the test, and iflife and all the world and all happiness were to be either all yoursor all mine, I'd go anywhere, do anything, and leave it all to yourather than keep any for myself. "

"Go, then!"

"If I might, I should. But male and female made He them. I spoke of usas units human, but not as the unit _homo_. Much as I despise you, Helena, I can not separate you from myself in my own thought. We seemto me to be like old Webster's idea of the Union--'one andindivisible. ' And since I can not divide us in any thought, I, JohnDoe, alias Black Bart, alias the man you once called Harry, haveresolved that we shall go undivided, sink or swim, survive or perish. If the world were indeed my oyster, I should open it for us both; butsaying both, I should see only you. Isn't it odd, Helena?"

"It is eleven-thirty, " said she. 

"Almost time for luncheon. Do you think me a 'good provider, ' Helena?"

"Humph! Mr. Davidson was. While your stolen stores last in your stolenboat, I suppose we shall not be hungry. "

"Or thirsty?" She shrugged. 

"Or barren of cork-tips of the evening? Or devoid of guitar strings?"

"I shall need none. "

"Ah, but you will! It belikes me much, fair maid, to disport me atease this very eve, here on the deck, under the moon, and to hear youyourself and none other, fairest of all my captives, touch the lute, or whatever you may call it, to that same air you and I, fair maid, heard long ago together at a lattice under the Spanish moon. A swaintouched then his lute, or whatever you may call it, to his Dulcinea. Here 'tis in the reverse. The fair maid, having no option, shall touchthe lute, or whatever you call it, to John Doe, Black Bart, orwhatever you may call him; who is her captor, who feels himself aboutto love her beyond all reason; and who, if he find no relief, presently, in music--which is better than drink--will go mad, go mad, and be what he should not be, a cruel master; whereas all he asks offate is that he shall be only a kind captor and a gentle friend. "

Her head held very high, she passed me without a word and threw openthe door of her suite. 

 [Illustration: It was a love song of old Spain]

. . . And that night, that very night, that very wondrous, silent, throbbing night of the Sabbath and the South, when all the air was asit seemed to me in saturation, in a suspense of ecstasy, to be broken, to be precipitated by a word, a motion, a caress, a note . . . Thatnight, I say, as I sat on the forward deck alone, I heard, far off andfaint as though indeed it were the lute of Andalusia, the low, slow, deep throb of a guitar!. . . My whole heart stopped. I was no morethan a focused demand of life. Reason was gone from me, not intellectbut emotion--that is its basic thing after all, emotion born on earthbut reaching to the stars. . . . I listened, not hearing. . . . It was theair we had heard long ago, a love song of old Spain, written, perhaps, before DeSoto and his men perished in these very bayous and foreststhat now shielded us against all tumult, all turmoil, all thingsunhappy or unpleasant. The full tide of life and love swept through myveins as I listened. 

I rose, I hastened. At her door I paused. "Helena!" I calledraucously. "Helena. " And she made no reply. "Helena, " I called again. "It was the same old air. This is Spain again! Ah, I thank you forthat same old air. Helena, forgive me. May I come in--will you comeout?"

I halted. A cold voice came from the companionway door. "You have apoor ear for music, John Doe. It is not the same. Do you think I wouldtake orders from you, or any other man?"

I stood irresolute a moment, and then did what I should not have done. I pulled open her door. "Come out, " I demanded. But then I closed thedoor and went away. She was sitting, her head bowed on the instrumentshe had played. And when she looked up, startled at my rudeness, I sawher eyes wet with tears. 

CHAPTER XXI

IN WHICH WE MAKE A RUN FOR IT

"Gadzooks! Black Bart, " remarked L'Olonnois at the breakfast table thenext morning, "and where is the captive maiden?"

"I do not know, " was my answer. "Better go find out, Jimmy. "

He departed, but presently, returned somewhat troubled. 

"My Auntie Helen, " said he, "I mean the captive maid, why, she saysshe's got a headache and don't want no breakfast. "

"Not even a grapefruit and a cup of coffee?" I demanded, anxiouslyand, it must be admitted, somewhat guiltily; for I knew that the soulof Helena was grieved and whatever the trouble, the fault was my own. Surely I had placed the poor captive in a most difficult position, andloving her as I did, how could I continue to give her discomfort? Myresolution almost weakened. I was considerably disturbed. 

And yet as I faced the alternative of setting her free, and once moretaking up the aimless and unhappy life I had led these last threeyears without sight of her, something--I suppose the great selfishnesswhich lies under love--rose up and said me nay; and I began to makeexcuses in favor of my desire, as that, surely, soon she would come toa more reasonable way of thought. And in one thing, at least, I washonest with myself, deceitful as are lovers with themselves, andarguing ever in their own favor--I did not know why Helena had wept, and it was perhaps my right to know. 

One selfishness with another, I resolved to go on with this matter, though knowing full well how difficult would be my battle with her, how unequal; for I was armed only with a great love, backed by no artat all, whereas, she merely would continue to unmask against me newbatteries of defense--severe politeness, formality with me; laughterand scornfulness of me; anger, pitifulness, at last even tears; andalways the dread assault of her eyes, and the scent of her hair andthe sweet wistfulness of her mouth, --all, all the charms of all womenunited in her one self, to attack, to assail, to harass, and to makewholly wretched the man who loved her more than anything in life, andwho was driven almost to using any means, so only that she might notbe away, not be out of sense and sight; as out of mind and out ofheart she never more might be. So that, all in all, it were, indeed, hard question whether she or I were the more wretched. Surelygrapefruit and toast and coffee seemed to me but inventions of thepowers of darkness at that breakfast. 

Not so my hardy mates, however, who ate with the keen appetite ofyouth, from fruit through bacon and toast and back again, both talkingall the while. Nor, as the event proved, altogether unwisely. Indeed, it was stout Jean Lafitte who resolved my doubts, and by suggestingthe simple medicine of action rather than meditation, sufficed for theremoval of one of my two minds. 

"What ho! Black Bart, " said he, after his third helping of bacon, "whydoes our good ship lie here idle at her anchor?" Question direct, likeJean himself, and demanding direct answer. 

"Ask Captain Peterson, " said I. "He perhaps can tell where we can getmore gasoline. "

"No, he can't. I asked him this morning. "

"Then 'twould seem we must lie here all winter, unless discovered bysome relief expedition. "

"Why don't we start a relief expedition of our own?" demanded he. 

"And how?"

"Why, me and Willy, the deck-hand, we'll take the long boat an' go outan' explore this region roundabout. Somebody may have gasolinesomewhere, and if so, we can git it, can't we?"

"Your idea is excellent, Jean Lafitte, " said I. "Within the hour youshall set forth to see whether or not there is any settlement on thisbayou. And that you may not need use violence when secrecy is ourwish, here is a fat purse for our stores. And hasten, for of a truth, Jean Lafitte, I am most aweary of this very morning, and I long to seethe white seas roll once more. "

It was determined, therefore, that we should fare onward--in case wecould fare at all--with our ship's company as it now was; for, ofcourse, none but myself knew what was afoot between Black Bart and hiscaptive. And well enough I knew that in keeping Helena Emory thusclose to me, I was breeding sleepless nights and anxious days. 

This day itself was anxious enough, nor could all of Epictetus teachme calm philosophy, distracted as I was over this situation, complexas it was. As to the fortune of the long boat, we knew nothing until, at three of the afternoon, I saw a white speck of a sail round thebend of our bayou, and saw that was hoisted, spirit fashion, over ourboat, which now, with following wind, rapidly drew in toward us. 

"It's all right, " called out Jean Lafitte, when he came within hail;and I saw now that he, indeed, had a boat's load of gasoline in tanks, cans and all manner of receptacles. 

"Town and a store, down there five miles, " he explained as I caughthis gunwale with boat hook. "You can git anything there. Now, theGiants an' the Cubs, why, they tied in the 'leventh inning yesterday. An' say----"

"Enough, " said I, "let me hear nothing of the cursed Giants or the yetmore accursed Cubs, for I have more serious work afoot! Tell me, isthere a bar cutting off the other end of the bayou; and how long isthe bayou?"

"Sixteen miles, " answered the useful Lafitte, "an' she seems like goodwater all the way. They say there's seven foot on the bar, and thewood boats run in and out. "

"Good! And did you tell them who you were, and why you wantedgasoline?"

"No. I only said our automobeel was broke down, an' we wanted thebaseball scores. That was all. They ast who was we. I said you wasJohn Doe--you see, I didn't want to tell your real name, so I didn'tsay Black Bart. "

"And you didn't mention our boat?"

"Of course not! Whose business is it what pirates does? They strikehardest when least expected. To-night we can run in an' rob the store, easy. "

"Jean!" I cried, horrified, "what do you mean? Let me hear no moresuch talk, or by my halidom! back you go to your home by first train. I'll not be responsible for the ruin of any boy's morals in this way. "

"Well what do you think about that, Jimmy!" said Jean, somewhat castdown and much mystified. "Ain't we pirates, an' don't pirates live onbooty?"

"Booty enough you have in your boat, Jean, " said I, "and let us get itaboard and in our tanks, for to-night we sail. "

"For to rob the store?" anxiously. 

"No, once more for the Spanish Main, my hearties! I seek a greatertreasure; and plenty of danger, believe me, lies between here andthere. "

"When'll we start?" queried L'Olonnois eagerly. 

"To-night, at six bells. Make all ready, " was my reply. 

And that very night, with our search-light half covered, and at slowspeed and with the sounding lead going, Peterson felt his way out fromour moorings and along the full length of Henry's Bayou, silently ashe might. We saw few signs of life beyond now and then a distant lightin some negro cabin, and with all the lights doused we swept by like aghost in the night, along the front of the plantation at whose storemy men had got their gasoline. At last we broke open the lower end ofthe bayou, which, coming in from the main stream in a long open reach, showed like a lane of faint light in the forest; and to my greatrelief presently, felt the current of the great stream pick us up, and saw the channel lights ahead, so that we knew we might for a time, at least, advance in safety. 

In all this work, my two faithful lieutenants were awake and alert;but I saw nothing of Helena that day, nor had message either from heror her aunt in the full round of twenty-four hours since last we met. Had she sought deliberately to repay me for the grief I caused her, Helena could have devised no better plan than her silence and herabsence from my sight, after what time I had seen her weep. 

Suddenly a thought of more practical sort came to my mind. "Jimmy, " Icalled. 

"Aye, aye, Sir;" and L'Olonnois saluted. 

"You remember all those bottles floating around in the bayou--did youtake them all up?"

"Aye, aye, Sir, an' she throwed a lot more in, out o' the cabinwindow. I was shootin' at 'em with the twenty-two, an' busted some. "

"But not all?"

"Oh, no, some was left. "

"And we sailed away, leaving there, no doubt, the full story of ourvoyage. "

"Like enough, " said L'Olonnois. "I didn't think of that. "

"Nor I. For once, the vigilance of Black Bart faltered, L'Olonnois, and he must yet, mayhap, make better amends for his fault. Full speedahead, now, Peterson, " I added later as I went forward. "Run for NewOrleans and with all you can get out of her. "

"Very good, Mr. Harry, " said the old man; and I could feel the throbof her whole superstructure, from stack to keelson, when he called onthe double-sixties of the _Belle Helène_ for all their power. Nor didany seek to stay us in our swift rush down the river. 

CHAPTER XXII

IN WHICH I WALK AND TALK WITH HELENA

It was nine of as fine a winter morning as the South ever saw when atlast, having passed without pause all intervening ports, we foundourselves at the city of New Orleans. Rather, in the vicinity of thatcity; for when we reached the railway ferry above the town, I ranalongshore and we made fast the _Belle Helène_ at a somewhatprecarious landing place. I now called Peterson to me. 

"It's a fine morning, Peterson, " said I. 

"Yes, sir, but I think 'tis going to rain. " (Peterson was alwaysgloomy. )

"You must go down-town, Peterson, " said I. "The through train from theWest is late and just now is coming into the ferry. You can take iteasily. We have got to have still more gasoline, for there is a longtrip ahead of us, and I am not sure what may be the chance forsupplies below the city. "

"Are you going into the Gulf, Mr. Harry?"

"Yes, Peterson. You will continue to navigate the boat; and, meantime, you may be quartermaster also. I shall be obliged to remain here untilyou return. "

The old man touched his cap. "Very good, sir, but I'm almost sure notto return. "

"Listen, Peterson, " I went on, well used to his customary depressionof soul, "go to the ship's furnisher, Lavallier and Thibodeau, towardthe Old Market. Tell them to have all our supplies at slip K, belowthe railway warehouses, not later than nine this evening. We want fourdrums of gasoline. Also, get two thousand rounds of ammunition for thetwelve gages, ducking loads, for we may want to do some shooting. Wealso want two or three cases of grapefruit and oranges, and any goodfresh vegetables in market. All these things must be ready on thelevee at nine, without fail. Here is my letter of credit, and a bankdraft, signed against it--I think you will find they know me still. "

The old man touched his cap again but hesitated. "I'm sure to be askedsomething, " he said somewhat nervously. 

"Say nothing about any change of ownership of this boat, Peterson, anddon't even give the boat's name, unless you must. Just say we willmeet their shipping clerk at slip K, this evening, at nine. Hurryback, Peterson. And bring a newspaper, please. "

"Is any one else going down-town?" asked Peterson. "I may run intotrouble. "

"No, we shall all remain aboard. "

He departed mournfully enough, seeing that the ferry boat now wascoming across with the railway train. I continued my own moody pacingup and down the deck. Truth was, I had not seen Helena for more thantwenty-four hours, nor had any word come from the ladies' cabin togive me hope I ever would see her again of her own will. My surprise, therefore, was great enough when I heard the after cabin door closegently as she came out upon the deck. 

When last I saw her she had been in tears. Now she was all smiles andradiant as the dawn! Her gown, moreover, was one I had never seenbefore, and she, herself, seemed monstrous pleased with it, for, bysome miracle, fresh as though from the hands of her maid at home, sheknew herself fair and fit enough to make more trouble for mankind. 

"Good morning, " said she, casually, as though we had parted but latelyand that conventionally. "Isn't it fine?"

"It is a beautiful picture, " said I, "and you fit into it. I am gladto see you looking so well. "

"I wish I could say as much for you, " said she. "You look like aforlorn hope. "

"I am nothing better. "

"And as though you had not slept. "

"I have not, Helena. "

"Why not?" her eyes wide open in surprise. 

"Because I knew I had either hurt or offended you; and I would doneither. "

"You have done both so often that it should not cost you your sleep, "said she slowly. "But if you really want to be kind, why can you nothave mercy on a girl who has been packed in a hat box for a month? Letme go ashore. "

"Can you not breathe quite as well where you are, Helena?"

"But I can't walk. "

"Oh, yes, you can; and I will walk beside you here on deck. "

"But I would like to pick flowers, over there by the embankment. "

"The train is too close, " said I, smiling grimly. 

Her color heightened just a little, but she did not answer mysuspicions. "Please let me walk with you over there, " she said. "Iused not to need ask twice. "

"Our situation is now reversed, Helena. "

"Please, let me walk with you, Sir!"

"I dare not. We might both forget ourselves and go off to New Orleansfor a lark without Aunt Lucinda. "

"Oh, I am going to call Aunt Lucinda, too. "

"Pardon, but you are going to do nothing of the kind. Even with her aschaperon, did we get down there in the old city once more, like thechildren we once were, Helena, we would forget our duty, would, perhaps, forget our purpose here. Mademoiselle, I dare not take thatrisk. "

"Please, Sir, may I walk with you over yonder for just a little time?"she said, as though it were her first request. She was tying herquaint little white bonnet strings under her chin now. I raised ahand. 

"You ask a man to put himself into the power of the woman he lovesmost in all the world. When a man needs resolution, dare he look intothe eyes of that woman, feel her hand on his arm, have her walk closeto him as they promenade?"

"Dear me! Is it so bad as that?"

"Worse, Helena. "

"Then I am to continue a prisoner in that hat box?"

"Until you love me, Helena, as I do you. "

"As I told you, that would be a long time. "

"Yes! For never in the world can you love me as I do you. I hadforgotten that. "

"If only you could forget everything and just be a nice young man, "said she. "It is such fun. This dear old town, don't you know? Now, with a nice young man to go about with Aunt Lucinda and me----"

"How would a man like Calvin Davidson do?" I demanded bitterly. 

"Very well. He is nice enough. "

"I suppose so. He is rich, able to have his horses and cars--even hisprivate yacht. He can order a dinner in any country in the world, ortell you the standing of any club, in either league, at any minute ofthe day or night. Could I say more for his education? He has twocountry places and a city house and a business which nets him ahundred thousand a year. How can he help being nice? I do not resembleMr. Davidson in any particular, except that I am wearing one of hiswaistcoats. Also, Helena, I am wearing a suit of flannels which I haveborrowed from John, his Chinese cook. You can readily see I am a poorman. How, then, can I be nice?"

"No one would see us here, " said she, sublimely irrelevant, as usual. "There are some little yellow flowers over there on the bank. Maybe Icould find some violets. "

There was a wistfulness in her gaze which made appeal. I could notresist. "Helena, " said I suddenly, "give me your parole that you willnot try to escape, and I will walk with you among yonder flowers. Youlook as though just from a Watteau fan, my dear. It is fall, but seemsspring, and the world seems made for flowers and shepherds and love, my dear. Do you give me your word?"

"If I do, may I walk alone?"

"No, with me. "

"I'll not try to take the train. On my honor, I will not. "

I looked deep into her eyes and saw, as always, only truth there--herdeep brown eyes, filled with some deep liquid light whose color Inever could say--looked till my own senses swam. I could scarcelyspeak. 

"I take your parole, Helena, " I said. "You never lied to me or anyother human being in the world. "

"You don't know me, " said she. "I used often to lie to mama, andfrequently do yet to Aunt Lucinda. But not if I say I give my word--myreal word. "

"When will you give me your real word, Helena? You know what Imean--when will you say that you love me and no one else?"

"Never!" said she promptly. "I hate you very much. You have beenpresumptuous and overbearing. "

"Why then should you promenade with me?"

"Fault of anything better, Sir!" But she took my hand lightly, smilingas I assisted her down the landing way. 

"But tell me, " she added as we made our way slowly up the muddy slope, "really, Harry, how long is this thing to last? When are we going backhome?"

"How can you ask? And how can I reply, save in one way, after takingthe advice of yonder pirate captain, your blue-eyed nephew? He saysthey always live happy ever after. Listen, Helena. Gaze upon thiswaistcoat! Forget its stripes, and imagine it to be sprigged silk of aday long gone by. Let us play that romance is not yet dead. These arenot cuffs, but ruffles at my wrists--for all Cal Davidson'sextraordinary taste in shirts. All the world lies before us, and it isyesterday once more. The Mediterranean, Helena, how blue it is--theBermudas, how fine they are of a winter day! And yonder lies motleyEgypt and her sands. Or Paris, Helena; or Vienna, the voluptuous, withher gay ways of life. Or Nagasaki, Helena--little brown folks runningabout, and all the world white in blossoms. All the world, Helena, with only you and I in it, and with not a care until, at least, wehave eaten the last of our tinned goods of the ship's supplies; sinceI am poor. But if I could give you all that, would I be nice?"

"Would that suit you, Harry?" she asked soberly; "just gallivanting?"

"You know it would not. You know I want no vacation lasting all mylife, nor does any real man. You know it was yourself that forced meout of my man's place and robbed me of my greatest right. "

"Yes, " said she, "a man's place is to fight and to work. It's thesame to-day. But, " she added, "you ran away; and you lost. "

"But am I not trying to recoup my fortune, Helena? You see, I havealready acquired a yacht, although but a few weeks ago I started inthe world with scarcely more than my bare hands. Could Monte Cristohave done more?"

"It isn't money a woman wants in a man. "

"What is it, then?"

"I don't know, " said she. "Oh, come, we mustn't go to arguing thesethings all over again! I'm weary of it. And certainly Aunt Lucinda andI both are weary of our hat box yonder. That's what I asked you, howlong?"

"As long as I like, Helena, you and your Aunt Lucinda shall dwellthere. What would you say to three years or so?"

She seemed not to hear. "I believe I've found a four leaf clover, "said she. 

"Much good fortune may it bring you. "

"Let me try my fortune, " said she, and began plucking off the leaves. "He loves me, he loves me not; he loves me, he loves me not. "

"There!" she said, holding up the naked stem triumphantly; "I knewit. "

"It would be a fairer test, had you a daisy, Helena, " said I, "orsomething with more leaves; not that I know whose has been thisordeal. Suppose it were myself, and that you tried this one. " I handedher a trefoil, but she waved it aside. 

"I will try to find you a four leaf clover for your own, after awhile, " said she, and bobbed me a very pretty courtesy. Angered, Icaught at the stick I was carrying with so sudden a grip that I brokeit in two. 

"I did not know your hands were so strong, Harry, " said she. 

"Would they were stronger!" was my retort. "And were I in charge ofthe affairs of Providence, the first thing I would do would be towring the neck of every woman in the world. "

"And then set out to put them together again, Harry? Don't be silly. "

"Oh, yes, naturally. But you must admit, Helena, that women have nosense of reason whatever. For instance, if you really were trying outthe fortune of some man on a daisy's head, you would not accept thedecree of fate, any more than you could tell why you loved him orloved him not. Why does a woman love a man, Helena? You say I must notbe silly--should I then be wise?"

"No, you are much too wise, so that you often bore me. "

"Nor should he be poor?"

"No. "

"Nor rich?"

"Certainly not. Rich men also usually are bores--they talk aboutthemselves too much. "

"Should he be a tall man?"

"Not too tall, for they're lanky, nor short, because they get fat. Yousee, each girl has her own ideal about such matters. Then, she alwaysmarries a man as different as possible from her ideal. "

"Why does she marry a man at all, Helena?"

"She never knows. Why should she? But look--" she pointed out acrossthe water--"the train is leaving the ferry boat. Isn't that CaptainPeterson going aboard the train?"

"Yes, Helena, I've sent him down-town to get some light reading foryou and your Aunt Lucinda--_Fox's Book of Martyrs_, and the _Critiqueof Pure Reason_--the latter especially recommended to yourself. Iwould I had in print a copy of my _magnum opus_, my treatment onnative American _culicidæ_. My book on the mosquito is going to behandsomely illustrated, Helena, believe me. "

She turned upon me with a curious look. "Harry, " said she, "you'vechanged in some ways. If I were not so bored by life in yonder hatbox, I might even be interested in you for a few minutes. You usedalways to be so sober, but now, sometimes, I wonder if I understandyou. Honestly, you were an awful stick, and no girl likes a stickabout her. What do girls care which dynasty it was that built thepyramids?--it's Biskra they want to see. And we don't care when or whyBaron Haussmann built the Boulevard Haussmann in Paris--it's theboulevard itself interests us. "

"It is the fate of genius to be cast aside, " said I. "No doubt even Ishall be forgotten--even after my book on the _culicidæ_ shall havebeen completed. "

"--So that, " she went on, not noticing me, "there is that one point inyour favor. "

"Then there is a chance?"

"Oh, yes, for me to study you as you once did me--as one of the_culicidæ_, I presume. But if you would listen to reason, and end thisfoolishness, and set us all ashore, why, I would be almost willing toforgive you, and we might be friends again, --only friends, Harry, aswe once were. Why not, Harry?"

"You wheedle well, " said I, "but you forget that what you ask isimpossible. I am Black Bart the Avenger, and the hand of every man isagainst me. I am too deep in this adventure to end it here. Why? I didnot even dare go down-town for fear I might be arrested. Nothingremains but further flight, and when you ask me to fly and leave youhere, you ask what is impossible. "

She stood for a time silent, a trifle paler, her flowers fallen fromher hand, clearly unhappy, but clearly not yet beaten. "Come, " saidshe coldly, "we must not be brutal to Aunt Lucinda also. Let us goback. "

"Yes, " said I, "now you have back your parole. "

"I think I should like an artichoke for luncheon, " said she. "Vinaigrette, you know. " And she passed aft, her head hidden by herwhite parasol, but I knew with chin as high as though she were MarieAntoinette herself. Nor did I feel much happier than had I been herexecutioner. 

CHAPTER XXIII

IN WHICH IS A PRETTY KETTLE OF FISH

Miss Helena Emory had her artichoke for luncheon, and judging from myown, my boy John never had prepared a better, good as he was withartichokes; but we ate apart, the ladies not coming to our table. Itwas late afternoon before I saw Helena again, once more come on deck. She was sitting in a steamer chair with her face leaning against herhand, and looking out across the water at the passing shipping. Shesat motionless a long time, the whole droop of her figure, the poiseof her tender curved chin, wistful and unhappy, although she said noword. For myself, I did not accost her. I, too, looked up and down thegreat river, not knowing at what moment some discerning eye might spyus out, and I longed for nothing so much as that night or Petersonwould come. 

He did come at last, late in the afternoon, on an outbound train, andhe hurried aboard as rapidly as he might. The first thing he did wasto hand me a copy of an afternoon paper. I opened it eagerly enough, already well assured of what news it might carry. 

On the front page, under a large, black head, was a despatch fromBaton Rouge relaying other despatches received at that point, frommany points between Plaquimine and Bayou Sara. These, in short, toldthe story of the most high-handed attempt at river piracy known inrecent years. The private yacht of Calvin Davidson, a wealthy northernbusiness man, on his way South for the winter, had been seized by aband of masked ruffians, who boarded her while the yacht's owner wastemporarily absent on important business in the city of Natchez. Theseruffians, abandoning their own boat, had at once gone on down-stream. They had been hailed by officers of Baton Rouge, acting under adviceby wire from Mr. Davidson, on his way down from Natchez. The robberband had paid no attention to the officers of the law, but hadcontinued their course. In some way the stolen craft had mysteriouslydisappeared that afternoon and night, nor had any word of her yet beenreceived from points as far south as Plaquimine. A bottle thrownoverboard by one of the prisoners taken on the yacht contained amessage to Mr. Davidson, with the request that he should meet thesender at New Orleans; but there was no signature to the note. 

Many mysterious circumstances surrounded this sensational piece ofpiracy, according to the journalistic view-point. On board the _BelleHelène_ were two ladies, the beautiful young heiress, Miss HelenaEmory, well known in northern social circles, and her aunt, Mrs. Lucinda Daniver, widow of the late Commodore Daniver, United StatesNavy. Mr. Davidson himself was unable to assign any reason for thisbold act of this abduction, although he feared the worst for thecomfort or even the safety of the two ladies, whose fate at thiswriting remained unknown. The greatest mystery surrounded the identityof the leader of this bold deed, whose name Mr. Davidson could notimagine. He was reported to suspect that these same river pirates, earlier in the day, attacked and perhaps made away with a friend ofhis whose name is not yet given. A cigarette case was found in theabandoned boat, which Mr. Davidson thought looked somewhat familiar tohim, although he could not say as to its ownership. He could and didaver positively, however, that a photograph in a leather case on theabandoned boat was a portrait of none other than Miss Helena Emory, one of the captives made away with by the river ruffians. Mr. Davidsoncould assign no explanation of these circumstances. 

Later despatches received at Baton Rouge, so the New Orleans journalsaid, might or might not clear up the mystery of the stolen yacht'sdisappearance, although the senders seemed much excited. One storyfrom a down-river point, brought in by an excited negro, told of adozen bottles found floating in the bayou. The negro, however, hadbroken them all open, and declared they had contained nothing but bitsof paper, which he had thrown away. He also told a wild story that theplantation store at Hamlin's Landing, on Bayou Henry, had been lootedin broad daylight, by a young man and a boy, apparently members of thepirate crew. The younger of the two ruffians was masked, and on beingasked for pay for gasoline, refused it at the point of his weapons, declaring that pirates never paid. 

While no attention should be paid to rumors such as the latter, thedespatches went on to say, it was obvious that a most high-handedoutrage had been perpetrated. It was supposed that the swift yacht hadbeen hurried forward, and had passed New Orleans in the night. Onceout of the river, and among the shallow bays of the Gulf Coast, theruffians might, perhaps, for some time evade pursuit, just as did thecraft of Jean Lafitte, himself, a century ago. Meantime, only thegreatest anxiety could pervade the hearts of the friends of theseladies thus placed in the power of ruthless bandits. Such an outrageupon civilization could, of course, occur only under theadministration of the Republican party. The journal thereforehoped:--and so forth, and so forth. 

"Peterson, " said I, after digesting this interesting information, "you've read this. What have you to say?"

Peterson was more despondent even than was his wont. "It looks mightybad, Mr. Harry, " said he, "and I don't profess to understand it. "

"Did you order the supplies?"

"Oh, yes, but they may forget to send them after all. "

"It is your intention to stick by me, Peterson?"

"Well, there must be some mistake, " he said, "but I don't see whatelse I can do. "

"There is a mistake, Peterson, " said I. "This is more newspapersensation. Mr. Davidson is excited over something he doesn'tunderstand. If I had him here now I could explain it all easily. But, before the matter can be explained in this way, we must wait untilthis excitement dies down. Why, at this gait, it would hardly be safefor either of us to be recognized here in town. We might be arrestedand put to a lot of trouble. The best thing we can do is to run ondown the river and wait until Davidson gets down and until we get thisthing adjusted. That is why I wanted the supplies to-night. "

"But suppose we are discovered to-night?"

"We take that chance, but I fancy that I have certain legal rights, after all, and I own this boat. Fortune favors the bold. I shall makeno attempt to hide, either now or then, Peterson. At the same time, while we will not run away from plain sight, there is no need to takeunnecessary chances. Drop some white sail-cloth over the yacht's nameon her bows, and on the fantail. Have one or two of the boys gooverboard in slings and seem to be painting her sides. That will givethe look that we are safe to lie here some time--which is the lastthing the _Belle Helène_ really would do, or will do. They think we'verun past the city already, and they'll be watching at Quarantine, andalong the Lake Borgne Canal. Most of the yachts go out that way, headed for Florida. We'll go the other way. It's an adventure, Peterson, and one which any viking, like yourself, ought to relish. "

"So I do, Mr. Harry, " said he, "but I hardly knew which course tolay. "

"Blood will tell, Peterson, " said I. "Your ancestors were Danishpirates; mine were English pirates. "

"For God's sake, Mr. Harry, don't talk that way. We mustn't go againstthe law. "

"I'm not sure that we have as yet, Peterson, for the law says nothingabout abduction of ladies in pairs, or for purposes truly honorable. Frankly, Peterson--and because you've been long in my employ--I'lltell you something. I intend to marry that young lady if she's notalready married to Mr. Davidson. "

"Lord, Mr. Harry, she ain't--at least not since she come aboard theboat. "

"In that case, " said I, drawing a long breath, "this is not such a badworld after all. "

"Not at all, Mr. Harry. I was going to say, as well be hung for asheep as a lamb, but of course I don't know about what she'll say. Shelooks to me like one of these girls that's been petted a good deal, and Mr. Harry, believe me, I always fight shy of a pet horse, or a petboat, or a pet woman--they're always hard to handle, and they raisethe devil when they get a chance. I hope you'll pardon me, sir. "

"On the contrary, Peterson, I am grateful to you. You are on doublepay from the time I took command. Moreover, I promise you the bestcruise we ever had together. Once among the shallow bays on the coastdown there, we can take care of ourselves while this chase cools down. We're faster than anything on the Gulf, and draw less water than mostof them of anything like our speed. You take care of the boat and I'lltake care of the girl--or try to. I have attachment papers all madeout, to file on the boat if need be--and I also have an attachmentfor the girl, when it comes to that. "

The old man shook his head. "I've got the easiest job, " said he. 

CHAPTER XXIV

IN WHICH WE HAVE A SENSATION

With no more than these slight precautions which I have indicated, welay all that afternoon in plain view of the world; and because all theworld could not suspect us of such hardihood, all the world went bywithout suspecting that the stolen _Belle Helène_ and her ruthlesspirate crew were there in full sight and apparently inviting ordefying apprehension. Sometimes a passing craft would salute us as welay, and we returned the courtesy without fail. I know not whethermore bottles were cast overboard by Aunt Lucinda, but if so, we heardof none. At last, after what seemed days to me, though no more thanhours, the shade of twilight fell across the river, the outlines ofthe passing boats grew less distinct. Now and again we could hear thewail of railway whistle, or see the curved snake of the lighted traindashing across the alluvial lands toward the ferry. Here and there, beyond, pin points of red lights shone. At last the night fell full, and, gladly enough, I gave the order for the continuance of ourjourney. 

We slipped down-stream gently and silently, yet speedily withal, seeking to time our arrival, as nearly as we might, to the hourassigned for the delivery of our supplies at the dock. 

"I'm none too easy in my mind, " said my old skipper to me, as we stoodtogether forward. 

"Why not, Peterson?"

"It's them two boys, " said he. "You talk of pirates--there's thebloodiest pair of pirates as ever was. I hardly know whether my ownlife's safe or not, to hear them talk. "

"Never do you mind, Peterson, " said I. "Those boys may be useful to usyet. The one with blue eyes has proved himself able to keep the ladiesin their cabin, and as for the one who was going to run you throughwhen we took the boat, he still may have to work to keep Williams downin the engine-room when we make our landing. "

"It may come out all right, " said the old man gloomily, "but sometimesI fear for the worst. "

"You always do, Peterson, and that is no frame of mind for a healthypirate. But here we are below the railway warehouse district, and Ithink nearly opposite slip K, where we land. Port your helm, and runin slow. We've got to have gasoline, although I must say my twobullies took aboard quite a store up there at the Bayou. "

"Port it is, sir, " said Peterson gloomily, still smoking. And he madeas neat a landing as ever in his life. 

A shadowy form arose amidst the blackness of the dock and camedirectly forward to take our line. 

"Who's that?" I demanded. "Are you from Lavallier and Thibodeau?"

"Yes, M'sieu, " came the answer. "Those supply is here. "

"All right. Help him get the stuff aboard, Peterson. "

They went about their work. Just as turning I saw standing at myelbow, the slight form of L'Olonnois, his arms folded and hat drawnupon his brow. 

"Bid the varlets hasten, " he hissed to me. "Time passes. "

"Back to your post, L'Olonnois, " I rejoined. "See that the captivesremain in their room. "

Jean Lafitte, too, proved unable to restrain his curiosity, and thistime his habit of close observation was of benefit in an unexpectedway. 

"Hist, Black Bart!" he whispered distinctly, clutching my arm. "Whatboat is that?"

He pointed in the dim light to a low lying, battered power boat mooredin the same slip with us. Something in her look seemed familiar. 

"I can't see her name, " said Jean Lafitte, "but she looks a lot likeour own old boat. "

I hastily stepped on the wharf and got a closer look in the waveringbeams of an arc light at the name on the boat's bows. There, inindistinct and shaky, but unmistakable characters, was the titlepainted by my young ruffians, weeks earlier--_Sea Rover!_

"Jean Lafitte, " I whispered, "you are right, and now indeed we musthave a care. Yon varlet has beaten us into New Orleans. "

"Let's board her and take her, " hissed Jean Lafitte. "We can do iteasy. "

"No, wait, " said I. "Perhaps we can think of a better plan. Wait tillwe get two drums of gasoline aboard. Then we'll make a run for it, ifyon varlet is here on the _Sea Rover_. Probably not, for every oneseems gone to bed. "

"I'll find out, " said Jean Lafitte boldly, and before I could stop himwas gone, springing lightly on the deck of the _Sea Rover_. 

"Hello in there, " he hailed. "Are you all asleep?"

A voice muttered something from the shallow cabin, I could not tellwhat. "We got a barrel of rum for you from Thibodeau's, " said JeanLafitte. 

"No, you ain't. Must be some mistake, " said a sleepy voice; and now atousled head appeared, indistinct in the gloom. "Anyhow, I don't knowanything about it, and it'll have to stay on the dock until morning. I'm only the engineer, I come from Natchez. Mr. Davidson, he'sup-town. "

"Oh, all right, " said Jean Lafitte, apparently mollified, and soon wasat my side again. So then, we had the information we sought. I wassure my own engineer, Williams, was busy as usual below, oiling andpolishing his double sixties. 

"Hurry now, " I whispered to Peterson. "Get that stuff aboard quick. Don't forget the crates of fruit and vegetables. "

We were nearly done with this work, when for a moment all seemed onthe point of going wrong with us. I heard shufflings and doorslammings from the after cabin. "Help! Help!" sounded the voice ofAunt Lucinda, somewhat muffled. It chanced that my engineer, Williams, at that moment poked his head up his ladder to get a breath of freshair. 

"What's that?" he demanded of me as I passed. "I thought I heard someone calling. "

"Oh, you did, Williams, " said I. "It was Mrs. Daniver. She suffersmuch with neuralgia and is in great pain. I shouldn't wonder if Ishould have to go up-town and get a physician for her even yet. But, Williams, in any case we'll be sailing soon, and I want you tooverhaul the screen of the intake pipe for that port boiler. We'regetting into very sandy waters, and of course you don't want anythingto happen to your engines. Can you attend to that at once?"

"Surely, sir, " said he, and went below again. I closed the hatch onhim. Meantime I hurried aft, to see what could be done toward quellingany possible uproar. My blue-eyed lieutenant, L'Olonnois, had been asefficient in his way as Jean Lafitte. Now, in full character, he wasenjoying himself immensely. When I saw him, he was standing with hisfeet spread wide apart in the center of the cabin floor, with drawnsword in his hand. 

"Lady, " said he, addressing himself to Aunt Lucinda, "it irks me as agentleman to be rude with one so fair, but let me hear one more wordfrom you, and your life's blood shall dye the deck, and you shall walkthe plank at the morning sun. You deal with L'Olonnois, who knows nofear!"

Deep silence, broken presently by a little laugh; and I heard Helena'svoice in remonstrance. "Don't be so silly, Jimmie!"

"Silly, indeed, " boomed the deep voice of Aunt Lucinda, catching sightof me at the door. "Yonder is the villain who put him up to this. "

"Oh, is that you?" said Helena, coming toward me. "Where are we, Harry?"

"In the port of New Orleans, Miss Helena, " was my answer, "a city ofsome three hundred thousand souls, noted for its manufacture of sugar, and its large shipments abroad of the staple cotton. "

"May I come on deck?" she queried after a while. 

"We are alongside the levee, and there is little to see. We shall besailing now in a few moments. "

"But mayn't I come up and see New Orleans, even for a minute as wepass by? I'll be good. "

"You may come up under parole, " said I, throwing open the door. "Butyou must bring your aunt's parole also. You must give no alarm, for wehave every reason here for silence. "

She turned back and held some converse with Auntie Lucinda, and bywhat spell I know not, won the promise of the latter to remain silentand make no attempt at escape. A little later she was at my side inthe dim light cast by a flickering and distant arc light at thestreet. 

"I have your word, then?" I demanded of her. 

"Yes. You can't blame me for wanting to get out, to see what is goingon. "

"A great deal may be going on here any moment, " said I. "In fact, if Icould show you the evening newspapers--which I purpose doing to-morrowmorning--it might seem to you that a great deal already has gone on. For one thing, Cal Davidson is in town ahead of us. That's his boatyonder, rubbing sides with us. He doesn't know we're here. He himselfis off up-town, at the Boston Club, probably, or perhaps some of thecafés--he knows a thousand people here. "

"So do I, Harry, " said she. "To think of going by in this plight! Andto think of leaving New Orleans without even one little supper atLuigi's, Harry--it breaks my heart. "

"We are almost ready to sail, Helena. Suppose we see Luigi's someother time. Things are getting pretty close about us here. "

"Any pirate should be a man of courage, " said she; "he should be everwilling to take a chance. "

"Very well; have I not taken several chances already?"

"And again, a pirate ought to be kind toward all women, oughtn't he, Harry? I asked you this afternoon, why couldn't we be friends againand stop all this foolishness. Let's forget everything and just befriends. "

"What! Again, Helena? Have I not tried that and found it a failure?"

"You have no courage. You are no pirate. I challenge you to a test. "

"What is it, Helena?"

"Let us go up-town and have a little supper at Luigi's, the way weused to, Harry, when we really were friends. "

"What, with Cal Davidson loose in the town and his boat lying here?"

"That is the adventure!"

"You would turn me over to the authorities?"

"No, but I would sell my parole for a mess of woodcock, Harry. " Shelaid a hand upon my arm. "I can't tell you how much I want a littlesupper at Luigi's, Harry. I like the Chianti there. Between us wecould afford thirty cents a bottle, could we not? Now, if I gave myparole--and of course, every one would be here at the boat just thesame--But of course, I did not expect you would. "

"Why did you not?"

"Because it is an adventure, because it will take something of realcourage, I fancy, to meet a risk like that!"

"There would be some risk for us all, " said I truly. 

"There you go, balancing and not deciding. You are no pirate. "

"What will you give me if I go, Helena?" said I. 

"Nothing beyond thanking you. One thing, you must not think that Iwould trick or trap you. "

"Many a criminal has been trapped by a woman whom he loves, " said Islowly. "But you would not do that if I had your word, even though youhated me. And you do hate me very much, do you not?"

"Yes, very much. But if you took me by New Orleans without a supper atLuigi's, I should hate you even more. "

"Jean--Jean Lafitte, " I called out in a low tone of voice. 

"Aye, aye, Sir!" he saluted, as he came to the place where we stood, like some seasoned sailorman, regardless of youthful hours of sleep. 

"I am going up-town with the captive maiden. Do you stand here onwatch. We shall be gone about three hours. "

"Hully gee!" ejaculated Jean Lafitte, but at once he saluted again. "'Tis well, Black Bart, " said he. 

"Tell Captain Peterson to let no one come on board this boat under anypretense; nor must any one leave it until I get back. If any one asksfor me, say I'm up-town. "

"Isn't Aunt Lucinda going, too?" demanded Helena. 

"She certainly is not!"

"Is it--is it quite correct for me to go alone with you?"

"That is your part of the adventure, Helena, " said I calmly. Aninstant later I had led her across the dingy warehouse dock, overdusty streets, to a crooked street-car line over which I could hearapproaching one of the infrequent cars. 

CHAPTER XXV

IN WHICH WE MEET THE OTHER MAN, ALSO ANOTHER WOMAN

Luigi's place, as all men know, is situated upon a small, crooked andvery dirty street, yet none the less, it is an abode of contentmentfor those who know good living. When Helena and I entered the door Ifelt as one again at home. Here were the sanded floors, the oldwater-bottles, the large chandelier with its cut glasses in the middleof the room, the small tables with their coarse clean linen. The sameold French waiters stood here and there about, each with impeccableapron and very peccable shoes, as is the wont of all waiters. But thewaiters at Luigi's are more than waiters; they are friends, and theynever forget a face. Therefore, as always, I had no occasion forsurprise when Jean, my waiter these many years at Luigi's, steppedforward as though it had been but last week and not three years agowhen he had seen me. He called me by name, greeted me again to hiscity, and gently aided Helena with her wraps and gloves. 

"And M'sieu can not long remain away from us, forever?" said he. 

"It has been three years, Jean, " said I, "more is the pity. But now, I can remain three hours--will that serve? At the end of that time wemust away. "

Jean was human, yet discreet. He knew that when last he saw me I was asingle man. Now he had doubts. He stood hovering about, a question onhis tongue, smitten of admiration much as had been my dog, Partial, athis first sight of Helena. At last he made excuse to step close behindmy chair under pretense of finding my napkin. 

"_Enfin, M'sieu?_" said he, smiling. 

"_Pas encore_, Jean!" I replied. 

I saw a slow flush on Helena's cheek, but she gave no other sign thatshe had overheard. So I began forthwith making much ado about orderingour supper, which as usual really was much a matter of Jean's taste. 

"We have to-night in the ice-boxes, M'sieu, " said that artist, "somecock oysters which are dreams. Moreover, I have laid aside twocanvasbacks, the best I ever saw--it was in the hope that some reallygood friend of mine would come in. Behold, I am happy--I must havebeen expecting you. Believe me, we have never had better birds thanthese. They are excellent. "

"Perhaps the oysters, Jean, " said I, "very small and dark. I presumepossibly a very small _fillet_ of trout this evening, and thesauce--you still can make it, Jean? Such _entrées_ as you like, ofcourse. But, since Mademoiselle--" and here I smiled--"and I, also, are very hungry this evening, we wish a woodcock after the canvasback, if you do not mind. Perhaps it is not too much?"

"_Mais non!_" replied Jean. "You are of those who know well that toeat too much is not to dine well. But I shall bring you two oysters, _marinière_--a sauce my own wife invented. And yes, some small bird, _beccasine_, broiled lightly--perhaps you will enjoy it after thecanvasback, although I assure you those are excellent indeed. We havefew sweets here, as M'sieu knows, but cheese, if you like, and ofcourse coffee; and always we have the red wine which I remember M'sieuliked so much. "

"It is with you, Jean, " said I. And Helena, turning, smiled upon himswiftly, in such fashion that he scarce touched the floor at all as hewalked out for his radishes and olives. 

"Isn't it nice?" said Helena. "Isn't it like the old times? I alwaysloved this old town. It seems so homelike. "

"Please do not use that word, Helena, " said I. "I wish to be entirelyhappy to-night, in the belief that some time I shall know what homeis. "

"Do you think Jean knew me also?" she demanded. "Certainly, I havebeen here also before. "

"No one who has ever seen you, Helena, ever forgets you. But Jean is, of course, discreet. "

"Suppose he knew that I was here to-night against my free will, andonly under parole?"

"Jean is wise; he knows such things ought not to be, even if they are. And he understood me when I said, 'not yet. '"

"Yes, " said she; "quite right. _Pas encore!_"

Jean returned, and as a special favor to an old patron asked uspolitely if we would enjoy a look through the kitchen and theice-boxes. As usual, we accepted this invitation, and passed backthrough the green swing doors, following our guide along the row ofcharcoal fires, through a dingy room decorated with shining coppersand bits of glass and silver. These ice-boxes were such as to offercontinual delight to any epicure, what with their rows of fat cleanfishes and crabs and oysters, the birds nicely plucked, all thedainties which this rich market of the South could afford, frompapabotte to terrapin. Helena herself selected two woodcock andapproved the judgment of Jean in canvasback. Presently she turned tome, a flush of embarrassment upon her face. 

"Harry, " she said, "I don't like to say anything, but you know--you'vebeen telling me you were so poor. Now, a girl doesn't want to make itdifficult----"

"Mademoiselle, " said I, bowing, "I am quite able to foot the billto-night. I had just sold some hay before I started from home. "

"Well, I'm awfully hungry, " she admitted; "besides, it's such a lark. "

"Yes, " said I; and presently, as we reached our table again, I showedher the afternoon papers, which as yet she had not seen. She readthrough the account of our escapade, her lips compressed; butpresently she folded the paper and laid it down without comment. 

"At any minute, you see, " said I, "I may be apprehended and our littlesupper brought to an end. That is why I hastened with the order. I donot wish to hurry you in any way, however, and we shall use the fullthree hours. Although, of course, you see that the bird of time indeedis on the wing to-night, as well as those other birds on thebroilers. "

She only looked at me steadily and made no comment. "Once suspectedhere, " said I, "all is over for me, and you are free again. It wouldbe entirely easy for you to make some sign or movement which I, perhaps, could not detect. Perhaps, at any moment, some one may enterwho knows you--as I've said, no one can look at you and forget you, Helena. But please let none of this affect your appetite. Our littlesupper is our little adventure. I hope you will enjoy both, my dear. "

"You did take some chance, did you not?" she said slowly. 

"It might be a chance. "

"But you will be so nervous you can't enjoy your spread. "

"Not in the least, Helena. A nervous man has no business in the tradeof piracy;--but, ah! the _fillet_ of trout, Helena. "

Jean was proud of his art, the chef proud also, and the chef knew wewere here. A general air of comfort seemed to settle down upon ourlittle corner of the restaurant, a quiet contentment. For the mostpart, folk came here who had no hurry and no anxiety, and it was asort of club for many persons who knew how to eat and to live and toenjoy life quietly, as life should be enjoyed. None dreamed, ofcourse, that aught but equal leisure existed for our little table, where sat a rather lank and shabby man in flannels, and a veryespecially beautiful young woman in half evening dress. At Luigi's, every one is polite to every one else, and the curiosity is but thatof fraternity. Perhaps, some eyes were cast our way, I could not tell. 

Jean, in slow solemnity and pleasant ease, brought on many things notnominated in the bond. At length he arranged his duck-press on hislittle table near us, and having squeezed the elixir from the twodissected fowls, began to stir the juices into a sauce of his own, made with sherry wine and a touch of _filé_, many things which Jeanknows best. He was just in the act of pouring this most delectablesauce over the two bits of tender fowl upon our hot plates, when, happening to look up, I saw some one entering the door. 

"Jean, if you please, " said I, deliberately pulling the coat-rack infront of our table, "Mademoiselle perhaps feels a slight draft. Wouldyou fetch a screen?"

He turned. "Helena, " said I, after a moment, "now our adventure hascome. "

"What do you mean?" said she. "Why do you do that?"--she nodded at thescreen. "Why, I say?"

"I have your parole?"

"Yes. "

"I am glad it is yes!" said I. "You could break it now and escape soeasily. One little move on your part and my punishment is at hand. "

"Who was it?" she asked, suspecting. 

"No one much, " said I, "only our esteemed friend, Mr. Calvin Davidson, whose waistcoat I am now wearing. Some one is with him, I don't knowwho it is. A very nice-looking lady, next to the most beautiful womanin this room, I must say. "

"Let me see, " said she; and I allowed her to look through the crack inthe screen. 

"She certainly is very stunning, " said I, "is she not? Tall, dark, atrifle superb--I wonder--I wonder sometimes, Helena, if Cal Davidsonis true to Poll?"

"Nonsense!" was her retort. "But as you say, here is our adventure, orat least yours. How do you propose to get out of it?"

"I don't know yet, " said I. "Just at present I do not wish thiscanvasback to get cold. We have remaining before us two hours or more, ample time to make any plan which may be needed. Coffee, I have found, is excellent for plans. Let us make no plans until we have had ourcoffee, after our little dinner. That will be an hour or so yet. Plenty of time to plan, Helena, " said I. "And please do not slightthis bird--it is delicious. "

Her eyes still were sparkling. "I'm rather glad I came, " said she. 

"So am I, and I shall be glad when we are back. But meantime I trustyou, Helena, absolutely. I will even tell you more. Davidson's boat, the one which we left him instead of the _Belle Helène_, is lying inthe same slip with ours, rubbing noses with our yacht yonder, as Ishowed you. Our men have talked with his. They do not yet suspect thatwe are the vessel which everybody wants to find. I am very thankfultheir engineer was so sleepy. I learned there at the wharf that CalDavidson was down-town at his club. He seems to have departed longenough to find excellent company, as usual. I am glad that he has doneso, for in all likelihood he will not return to his own boat beforeto-morrow morning. He will prefer his room at the club to his bunk onthe _Sea Rover_, if I know Cal Davidson. And by that time I hope to befar away. "

"Does he know who you are--does he know who it was that took the_Belle Helène_?"

"I think not. But, very stupidly--being so anxious to see theoriginal--I left a photograph of yourself on our old boat, the _SeaRover_. Item, one cigarette case with my initials. Of course, CalDavidson may guess the simple truth, or he may make a mystery ofthese things. It seems he prefers to make a mystery; and I am surethat suits me much better. "

"But knowing these things--knowing that his boat was lying right atthe dock alongside of us--why did you stop?"

"I thought it was you, Helena, who suggested this little adventure atLuigi's! And I promise you I am enjoying it very much. It seems somuch like old times. "

"But that can't ever be over again, Harry. "

"Naturally not. But often new times are quite as good as old ones. Ican conceive of such a thing in our case. No, I shall use thisprivilege of your society to the limit, Helena, fearing I may not seeyou soon again, after once I have put you back in your hat box. Youcoaxed me to leave the boat, and I shall tell you when to return. "

"Why not now?"

"No, at twelve o'clock. Not earlier. "

"And you propose sitting here with me till then?"

"I could imagine no better pastime, were I condemned to die atsunrise. Tell me, do you wish me to call Mr. Davidson?"

"Of course I do not, since I gave you my word. Besides, I know thatgirl with him. It's Sally Byington. Some call her good-looking, but Iam sure I don't know why. "

"Fie upon you! She is superb. In short, Helena, I am not sure but sheis finer-looking than yourself!"

"Indeed!"

"Yes. Cal Davidson, whatever may be his taste in neckties orwaistcoats, seems to me excellent in this other regard. Perhaps just atrifle flamboyant for Luigi's, but certainly stunning. "

"Our relations are not such as to lead me to discuss our friends, " sherejoined haughtily. "And, as you say, our duck is getting cold. Iadore these canvasbacks. I would like to come back to-morrow and haveanother. " She cut savagely into her fowl. 

"Alas, Helena, to-morrow you will be far away. In time I hope toreconcile you to the simple life of piracy. Indeed, unless all plansgo wrong, we may very likely have canvasbacks on the boat; although Ican not promise you that John will be as good a chef as our friendhere at Luigi's. All good buccaneers use their fair captives well. "

"Indeed! And why do you not ask Sally Byington into your list ofprisoners, since you fancy her so much. "

"Nay, say not so, Helena. I trust I am somewhat catholic in tasteregarding ladies, as any gentleman should be, yet after all, I amgentler in my preferences. Quite aside from that, I find one faircaptive quite enough to make me abundant trouble. "

At about this time Jean approached behind the screen, bearing a copyof a late edition of an evening paper, which fortunately he seemed notclosely to have scanned. I took it quickly and placed it with thefront page down. 

"Monsieur no doubt has heard of the great sensation?" commented Jean. 

"No, what is that, Jean?"

"The papers have been full of nothing else. It seems a band ofcutthroat river pirates have stolen a gentleman's yacht, and so far ascan be told, have escaped with it down the river, perhaps entirely tothe Gulf. "

"That, Jean, " said I, "is a most extraordinary thing. Are you sure ofthe facts?"

"Naturally--is it not all in the paper? This gentleman then has hisyacht anchored at Natchez, and he goes ashore on important business. Comes then this band of river ruffians in the dark, and as thoughpirates of a hundred years ago, and led by Jean Lafitte himself, theycapture the vessel!"

"_Mon Dieu!_ Jean you do not say so?"

"But assuredly I say so; nor is that all, Monsieur. On board thisyacht was a young and beautiful lady of great wealth and beauty, aswell--the fiancée, so it is said, of this gentleman who owns theyacht. What is the action of these pirates in regard to this beautifulyoung lady and her aunt, who also is upon the yacht for the cruise? Dothey place these ladies ashore? No, they imprison them upon the boat, and so, _pouf!_ off for the gulf. Nor has any trace of them been foundfrom that time till now. A rumor goes that the gentleman who owns theyacht is at this time in New Orleans, but as for that unfortunateyoung lady, where is she to-night? I demand that, Monsieur. Ah! Andshe is beautiful. "

"Now, is not this a most extraordinary tale you bring, Jean? Let ushope it is not true. Why, if it were true, that ruffian might escapeand hide for days or weeks in the bayous around Barataria, even asJean Lafitte did a hundred years ago. "

"Assuredly he might. Ah, I know it well, that country. But JeanLafitte was no pirate, simply a merchant who did not pay duties. Andhe sold silks and laces cheap to the people hereabout--I could showyou the very causeway they built across the marsh, to reach the placewhere he landed his boats at the heads of one of the great bays--it isnot far from the plantation of Monsieur Edouard Manning, below NewIberia. Believe me, Monsieur, the country folk hunt yet for the buriedtreasure of Jean Lafitte; and sometimes they find it. "

"You please me, Jean. Tell me more of that extraordinary person. "

"Extraordinary, you may call him, Monsieur. And he had a way withwomen, so it is said--even his captives came to admire him in time, sogenerous and bold was he. "

"A daredevil fellow I doubt not, Jean?"

"You may say that. But of great good and many kindnesses to all thefolk in the lower parts of this state in times gone by. Now--say itnot aloud, Monsieur--scarce a family in all Acadia but has map and keyto some buried treasure of Jean Lafitte. Why, Monsieur, here in thisvery café, once worked a negro boy. He, being sick, I help him as agentleman does those negro, to be sure, and he was of heart enough tothank me for that. So one day he came to me and told me a story of atreasure of a descendant of Lafitte. He himself, this negro, hadhelped his master to bury that same treasure. "

"And does he know the place now? Could he point it out?"

"Assuredly, and the master who buried it now is dead. "

"Then why does not the negro boy go and dig it up again, verynaturally?"

"Ah, for the best reasons. That old Frenchman, descendant of JeanLafitte, was no fool. What does he in this burial of treasure? Ah! Hetakes him a white parrot, a black cat and a live monkey, and thesethree, all of them, he buries on top of the treasure-box and coversall with earth and grass above the earth. And then above the grave hesays such a malediction upon any who may disturb it as would alonefrighten to the death any person coming there and braving such acurse. I suggested to the negro boy that he should show me the spot. Monsieur, he grew pale in terror. Not for a million pounds of solidgold would he go near that place, him. "

"That also is a most extraordinary story, Jean. Taken with this otherfairy tale which you have told me to-night, you almost make me feelthat we are back in the great old days which this country once saw. But alas!"

"As you say, Monsieur, alas!"

"Now as to that ruffian who stole the gentleman's yacht, " I resumed. "Has he reflected? Has he indeed made his way to the Gulf? Why, hemight even be hiding here in the city somewhere. "

"Ah, hardly that, and if so, he well may look out for the law. "

"I think a sherbet would be excellent for the lady now, Jean, " Iventured, whereat he departed. I turned over the paper and showedHelena her own portrait on the front page, four columns deep and setin such framing of blackfaced scare type as made me blush for my ownsins. 

"It is an adventure, Helena!" said I. "Had you not been far the mostbeautiful woman in this restaurant to-night, and had not Jean been alleyes for you, he otherwise would have looked at this paper rather thanat you. Then he would have looked at us both and must have seen thetruth. "

"It is an adventure, " said she slowly, her color heightening; andlater, "You carried it off well, Harry. "

I bowed to her across the table. "Need was to act quickly, for eventhis vile newspaper cut is a likeness of you. One glance from Jean, which may come at any moment later, Helena, and your parole will beneedless further. "

"I confess I wished to test you. It was wrong, foolish of me, Harry. "

"You have been tested no less, Helena, to-night. And I have found youa gentle high-born lady, as I had always known you to be. _Noblesseoblige_, my dear, and you have proved it so to-night. Any time fromnow until twelve you need no more than raise a finger--I might noteven see you do so--and you might go free. Why do you not?"

"If the woodcock is as good as the canvasback, " was her somewhatirrelevant reply, "I shall call the evening a success, after all. "

But Helena scarcely more than tasted her bird, and pushed back after atime the broiled mushroom which Jean offered her gently. 

"Does not your appetite remain?" I inquired. "Come, you must not breakJean's heart doubly. "

She only pushed back her chair. "I am sorry, " said she, "but I want togo back to the boat. "

"Back to the boat! You astonish me. I thought escape from the _BelleHelène_ was the one wish of your heart these days. "

"And so it is. "

"Then, Helena, why not escape here and now?"

"What do you mean?"

"I do not mean for you to break your parole--I know you too well forthat. But give me additional parole, my dear girl. Give me your word. Say that one word. Then we can rise here and announce to Mr. Davidsonand all the world and its newspapers that no crime has been done andonly a honeymoon has been begun. Come, Helena, all the world loves alover. All New Orleans will love us if you will raise your finger andsay the word. "

I looked toward her. Her head was bent and tears were dropping fromher eyes, tears faithfully concealed by her kerchief. But she said noword to me, and at her silence my own heart sank--sank until mycourage was quite gone, until I felt the return of a cold brutality. Still I endeavored to be gentle with one who deserved naught ofgentleness. 

"Do not hurry, Helena, " I said. "We can return when you like. But thesalad--and the coffee! And see, you have not touched your wine. "

"Take me back, " she said, her voice low. "I hate you. Till the end ofthe world I'll hate you. "

"If I could believe that, Helena, it would matter nothing to me to goa mile farther on any voyage, a foot farther to shield myself or you. "

"Take me back, " she said to me again. "I want to go to Aunt Lucinda. "

"Jean, " said I, a moment later when he reappeared. "Mademoisellewishes to see one more ice-box in the kitchen. We are in search ofsomething. May we go again?"

Jean spread out his arms in surprise, but pushed open the green door. We thus passed, shielded by our screen and unobserved. Once within, Igrasped Jean firmly by the shoulder and pressed a ten dollar bill intohis hand, with other money for the reckoning. 

"Take this, Jean, for yourself. We do not care to pass out at thefront, for certain reasons--do you comprehend? It is of Mademoiselle. "

"It is of Mademoiselle? Ah, depend upon me. What can I do?"

"This. Leave us here, and we will walk about. Meantime go out the backway to the alley, Jean, and have a taxicab ready at the mouth of thealley. Come quick when it is arranged and let us go, because we mustgo at once. At another time, Jean, we will return, I trust morehappily. Then we shall order such a dinner as will take Luigi himselfa day to prepare, my friend!"

"For Mademoiselle?"

"For Madame, Jean, as I hope. " And now I showed him the portrait onthe front page of the newspaper he had brought me. "Quick, " I said, "and since you have been faithful, some day I will explain all this toyou--with Madame, as I hope. "

CHAPTER XXVI

IN WHICH WE BURN ALL BRIDGES

"But, Monsieur, " began Jean, a few moments later, as he entered fromthe alley door. 

"_Eh bien?_ What then, Jean?" I demanded hastily, already leadingHelena toward the door. 

"This! This!" And he waved in my face a copy of the same paper whichhad lain on our table. "The streets are full of it. And I see, Ibehold--I recognize! It is Mademoiselle--that is to be Madame!"

My face flushed hotly. "As I hope, Jean. " That was all I said. "Now, please, out of our way. Is the taxi there?"

He stepped aside. I heard his voice, eager, apologetic, but knew thatnow no time must be lost. Vague sounds of voices came to us from themain room of the café, ordinarily so quiet. I felt, rather than knew, that soon the news would be about town. The throb of the taxi wasmusic to my ears when I found it in the dark. 

"Stop for nothing, " said I to the driver, as I closed the door. "SlipK, on the river-front, below the warehouses. Stop at the car trackswhere they turn. And go fast--I must catch a boat that is justleaving. "

"What boat--from there--are you sure, sir?" asked he, touching hiscap. 

"Of course I'm sure. Go on! Don't stop to talk, man!"

He made no answer to this, but turned to his wheel. We shot out intoRoyal Street, turned down it, spun into a narrow way past the oldCathedral, crossed Jackson Square in the full moonlight, passed theOld Market, and threaded dark and dirty thoroughfares parallel to theriver. None sought to stay us, though many paused in the gentlysqualid life of that section, to look after our churning car, a thingnot usual there so far from depot or usual landing place. 

Helena sat silent, looking fixedly ahead through the glass at thedriver's back; nor did I find words myself. In truth, I was as one nowcarried forward on the wings of adventure itself, with small plans, and no duty beyond taking each situation as it might later come. Adull feeling that I had sinned beyond forgiveness came upon me, aconviction that my brutality to one thus innocent and tender hadpassed all limits of atonement. She could never forgive me now, Ifelt; and what was almost as intolerable in the reflection, I couldnot forgive myself, could not find any specious argument longer tojustify myself in thus harrying the sensibilities of a woman such asthis one who now sat beside me in this mad midnight errand, proud, pale and silent. Slowly I sought to adjust myself to the thought ofdefeat, to the feeling that my presumption now had o'er-leaped itself. Yes, I must say good-by to her, must release her; and this time, as Iwell knew, forever. 

But, though I turned toward her half a dozen times in these fewminutes, she made no response to what she must have known was mydemand upon her attention. I gathered her gloves for her, and herflowers, but she only took them, her lips parting in courtesy, not inwarmth, and no sound came to my ears, straining always to hear hervoice, a pleasant sound in a world of discords ever. I even touchedher arm, suddenly, impulsively. "Helena!" But she, not knowing that Imeant to give her liberty, though over a dead heart, shrank as thoughI had added physical insult to my verbal taunts. Anyway I turned, Iwas fast in the net of circumstance, fanged by the springs ofmisapprehension. . . . Well, then, but one thing remained. She had saidit was a man's place to fight, and so now it would be! I must go on, and take my punishment until justice had been done. Justice and my ownsuccess I no longer confused in my own mind; but in my soul was thegrim resolution that justice should first be done to one human soul, even though that chanced to be my own. After that, I should get heragain in the hands of her friends and myself; indeed, disappear beyondall seeking, in parts of the world best known to myself. If I myselfwere fair, why should not fairness as well be given to me?

And with no more than this established, and nothing definite in plan, either, for the present, I mechanically opened the door of the taxifor her when the driver pulled up and bent a querying face about toask whether or not we now were opposite Slip K. I noted that he didnot at once drive away. Evidently he sat for some moments gazing afterus as we disappeared in the gloom of the river-front. His tale, as Iafterward learned, enabled the morning papers to print a conclusivestory describing the abduction of Miss Emory and her undoubtedretention on the stolen yacht, which, after lying at or near NewOrleans, some time that night, once more mysteriously haddisappeared. 

No doubt remained, according to this new story, that the supplies putaboard at Slip K by Lavallier and Thibodeau had gone to this verycraft, the stolen yacht! With this came many wild and confusingaccounts and descriptions, including a passionate interview with Mr. Calvin Davidson, of New York, who had announced his intention ofoverhauling these ruffians, at any cost whatsoever; and much counselto the city officials, mingled with the bosom-beating of oneenterprising journal which declared it had put in commission a yachtof its own, under charge of two of its ablest reporters, who hadinstructions to take up the chase and to remain out until the mysteryhad been solved and this beautiful young woman had been rescued fromher horrible situation and restored again to her home. There were moreportraits of Helena--furnished, most like, from Cal Davidson'scollection; one also of Aunt Lucinda (from a photograph of far earlierdays); and lastly, a half-page portrait of myself, the unnamed ruffianwho was the undoubted leader in this abduction--the portrait beingdrawn by a staff artist "from description of eye-witnesses. " As Ilater saw this portrait I rejoiced that I was long ignorant of itsexistence: and had I known that night that yonder chauffeur to whom Ihad given undue largess had such treason as that portrait in his soul, I know not what I might have done with him. 

But of this misinformation, of course, I was at the time ignorant, aswas all the city ignorant of the truth. What happened was otherwise, nor was the truth learned even by the great metropolitan journals ofthe North, which now recognized the existence of a "big story", andadded their keener noses to the trail. The great fact overlooked bythem all was that they pursued no criminal, but a man of education, Imay fairly say of brains. 

In my law practise many baffling cases came to me, because I mostliked, precisely, that sort of case. Once, for instance, a family ofmy town well-nigh was disrupted by a series of anonymous letters, donein typewriting, accusing an honorable man of dishonorable conduct. Theletters left the man's wife in an agony of loyalty and suspicionalike. He brought me the letters, and to me the case was simple fromthe start. I got the repair slips of a certain typewriter house, andcompared them until I found a machine with a bent letter M--knowingas I did that each machine has its own individuality as ineradicableand as inescapable as any personal handwriting. So at last I went to asmall outlying city, and going into a business house there asked tosee the stenographer in private. "My dear Miss ----, " I said to her, "why do you persist in sending these letters to Mr. ----?" I laid thembefore her, and she wept and confessed, very naturally. 

That was merely jealousy of a discharged employee; and it was easy asa case--easier I always thought, than the probate case I won over acontested signature charge filed by certain heirs under a will. Inthis case I merely went to the dead man's earlier home and learned hishistory. Time out of mind he, a thrifty and respected German, had heldsome petty county office or other; and by going over old countywarrants and receipts signed in forty years by my man, I discoveredwhat I already knew--that a man's signature changes many times duringhis life, especially if he begins life as an uncultured immigrant andadvances to a fair business success later in his life: so that hislater signatures on records proved his signature in his will. 

Again, liking these simple mysteries, I had long ago learned to laughat the old and foolish assertion that murder will out, that not themost skilful criminal can long conceal a capital crime. It is nottrue. No one knows how many murders and other crimes go unsolved oreven unknown. The trouble with murderers, as I knew well enough, wasthat they lacked mentality. And often I said to myself that were it inmy heart to kill a man, I assuredly could do so, and all my lifeescape unsuspected of the crime. 

It may be that my fondness for these less obvious things in the lawhad rendered me a trifle different from my fellow men. I could neverapproach any question in life without wanting to go all about it andto the bottom and top, like a cooper with his barrel. I was thusactuated, without doubt, in my relations years since with HelenaEmory--I knew the shrewdness and accuracy of my own trained mind. Iconfess I exulted in the infallible, relentless logic of my mind, amind able and well trained, especially well trained in reason andargument. So, when I put the one great brief of all my life beforeHelena, my splendid argument why should she love me, I did so, atfirst, in the conviction that it must be convincing. Had I not myselfworked it out in each detail, had not my calm, cool, accurate reasonguarded each portal? Was it, indeed, not a perfect brief--that one Iheld in my first lost case--the lost case which sent me out of myprofession, left me a stranded hulk of a man?

But then, when these two pirate youngsters had found me and touched mewith the living point of some new flame of life, so that I knew a vastworld existed beyond the nature of the intellect, the old ways clungto me, after all. Even as I swore to lay hold on youth and onadventure (and on love, if, in sooth, that might be for me now), Icould not fight as yet wholly bare of the old weapons that had so longfitted my hand. So, even on that very morning when we set forth frommy farm to be pirates, my mind ran back to its old cunning, and Irecalled my earlier boast to myself that if I ever cared to be acriminal I knew I could be able to cover my tracks. 

Those writing-folk, therefore, who now wasted thousands of dollars inpursuit of trace and trail of Black Bart, wealthy ex-lawyer, knewnothing of their man, and guessed nothing of his caliber or of hismethods. They even failed to look in plain sight for their trailmaker. And having done so, they forgot that water leaves no trail. Yetthat simple thought had come to my mind as I had sat at breakfast inmy own house, some weeks before this time! Even then I had planned allthis. 

Absorbed as I had been in this pursuit of Helena, baffled as I hadbeen by her, unhappy as I now was over her own unhappiness, fierce aswas my love for her, still and notwithstanding, some trace of my oldself clung to me even now when, her hand on my arm, I guided Helena insilence over the creaking planks of the dock, and saw, at last, dimbeyond the edge, the boom of the Mississippi's tawny flood, rolling onand onward to the sea. Here was a task, a problem, a chase, anendeavor, an adventure! To it, I was impelled by my old training; intoit I was thrust by all these fevers of the blood. Even though she didnot love me, she was woman . . . In the dark air of night, it seemed tome, I could smell the faint maddening fragrance of her hair. . . . No. Itwas too late! I would not release her. I would go on, now!

And with this resolution, formed when I caught sight of the passingflood, I found a sudden peace and calm, and so knew that I was fit formy adventure as yon other boy, L'Olonnois, was for his. 

I paused at the edge of the wharf, at the side of our boat. We stillwere arm in arm, still silent, though she must have felt the beatingof my heart. 

"Helena, " I whispered, "yonder, one step, and your parole is over. Here it is not. That boat, just astern, is the one in which CalDavidson chased us all the way from Natchez, in which I chased him allthe way from Dubuque. His men do not know we are here, nor does he asyet. Now, what is it that you wish to do?"

She stood silent for some time, tightening her wrap at the throatagainst the river damp, and made no answer, though her gaze took inthe dark hull of the low-lying craft made fast below us. When at last:

"One thing, " she began, "I will not do. "

"What is it?" I asked. We spoke low, but I well knew my men were awareof our coming. 

"I shall ask no favor of you. " And as she spoke, she stepped lightlyon the rubbered deck of the _Belle Helène_. 

"Halt! Who goes there?" called the hoarse voice of Jean Lafitte, thefaithful: and I knew the joy of the commander feeling that loyalty ishis. 

"'Tis I, Black Bart, " I answered, full and clear. "Cast off, myfriends!"

At once the _Belle Helène_ was full of activity. Peterson I met atthe wheel. I heard the bells jangle below. I saw Jean, active as acat, ready at the mooring-stub, waiting for the line to ease. Thenwith my own hand I threw on every light of the _Belle Helène_, so thatshe blazed, in the power of six thousand candles, search-light andall: so that what had been a passing web of gloom now became arippling river. The warehouses started into light and shade, theshadows of the wharf fled, the decks of the grimy craft alongsidebecame open of all their secrets. 

And now, revealed full in the flood of light as she stood at the sideportal, Helena did what I had not planned. Freed of her parole shewas--and she had asked no favor of me--so she had right to makeattempt to escape; and I gently stepped before her even as Jean castoff and sprang aboard: and as I heard L'Olonnois' voice imperativelydemanding silence of the pounding at the after cabin door. All atonce, I heard what Helena heard--the rattle of wheels on the stoneflagging of the street beyond. And then I saw her fling back her cloakand stand with cupped hands. Her voice was high, clear and unwavering, such voice as a pirate's bride should have, fearless and bold. 

"Ahoy, there! Help! Help!" she cried. 

Some sort of shout came from the street, we knew not from whom. Anoise of an opening hatch came from the _Sea Rover_ at our stern, anda man's tousled head came into view. 

"What's goin' on here, " he demanded, as quaveringly as querulously. 

I made no answer, but saw our bows crawl out and away, felt the sob ofthe screws, the arm of the river also, and knew a vast and pleasingcontent with life. 

"L'Olonnois!" I called through the megaphone. 

"Aye, aye, Sir!" I heard his piping rejoinder. 

"Cast loose the stern-chaser and fire her at yon varlet if he makes amove. " I knew our deck cannon was loaded with nothing more deadly thannewspapers, but I also knew that valor feeds on action. Not that I hadgiven orders to fire on the world in general. So, I confess, I wassomewhat surprised, soon after the shout of approval which greeted mycommand, to hear the air rent by the astonishing reverberation of ourLong Tom, which rolled like thunder all along the river-front, breaking into a thousand echoes in the night. 

I heard the patter of feet along the deck, and had sight of JeanLafitte tugging at a halyard. Not content with our defiance of law andorder, he must needs break out the Jolly Rover with its skull andcross-bones. And as we swung swiftly out into midstream, ablaze inlight from bow to stern, ghostlike in our swiftness and the silence ofour splendid engines, I had reason to understand all the descriptivewriting which, as I later learned, greeted the defiant departure ofthis pirate craft and its ruffian crew. Thus I bade all the world comeand take from me what I had taken for my own. 

I stepped to the wheel with Peterson, expecting to find him pale inconsternation. To my surprise he was calm, save for a new glitter inhis eye. 

"There's nothing on the river can touch her, " said he, as he picked uphis first channel light and called for more speed. "Let 'em come!"

A sudden recklessness had caught us all, it seemed, the old spirit oflawless man breaking the leash of custom. I shared it--with exultationI knew I shared it with these others. The lust of youth for adventureheld us all, and the years were as naught. 

I turned now to find Helena, and met L'Olonnois, his face beaming. 

"Wasn't that a peach of a shot?" said he. "It would of blew yon varletout of the water, if I'd had anything to load with except just themmarbles. Are you looking for Auntie Helen? She has just went below. "

CHAPTER XXVII

IN WHICH WE REACH THE SPANISH MAIN

It was as Peterson had said--nothing on the river could touch the_Belle Helène_. And it also was as I had not said but had thought--thewater left no trail. By daylight we were far below the oldbattle-field, far below the old forts, far below La Hache, and amongthe channels of the great estuary whose marshes spread for scores ofmiles on either hand impenetrably. Quarantine lay yonder, theSouthwest Passage opened here; and on beyond, a stone's throw now fora vessel logging our smooth speed, rolled the open sea. And stillthere rose behind us the smoke of no pursuing craft, nor did any seekto bar our way. So far as I knew, the country had not been warned byany wire down-stream from the city. We saw to it that no callingpoints were passed in daylight. As for the chance market shooterpaddling his log pirogue to his shooting ground in the dawn, or theoccasional sportsman of some ducking club likewise engaged, theysaluted us gaily enough, but without suspicion. Even had they known, Idoubt whether they would have informed on us, for all the world lovesa lover, and these Southerners themselves now traveled waters longknown to adventure and romance. 

So at last, as the sun rose, we saw the last low marshy points widen, flatten and recede, and beyond the outlying towers of the lightscaught sight of lazy liners crawling in, and felt the long throb ofthe great Gulf's pulse, and sniffed the salt of the open sea. 

I had not slept, nor had Peterson, nor had Williams, my engineer. Mymen never demurred when hard duty was asked of them, but put manlypride above union hours, I fancy, resolved to show me they couldendure as long as I. And I asked none to endure more. Moreover, evenmy pirate crew was seized of some new zest. I question whether eitherJean Lafitte or Henri L'Olonnois slept, save in his day clothing, thatnight of our run from New Orleans; for now, just as we swept free ofthe last point, so that we might call that gulf which but now had beenriver, I heard a sound at my elbow as I bent over a chart, and turnedto see both my associates, the collars of their sweaters turned upagainst the damp chill of the morning. 

"Where are we now, Black Bart?" asked Jean Lafitte. I could see onhis face the mystic emotion of youth, could see his face glorified inthe uplifting thrill of this mystery of the sea and the dawn and theunknown which now enveloped us. "Where are we now?" he asked; but itwas as though he feared he slept and dreamed, and that this wondrousdream of the dawn might rudely be broken by some command summoning himback to life's routine. 

"Surely your soul should tell you, Jean Lafitte, " said I, "for yonder, as I may say, now rolls the Spanish Main. Its lift is now beneath ourfeel. You are home again, Jean Lafitte. Yonder are the bays and bayousand channels in the marshes, where your boats used to hide. And there, L'Olonnois, my hearty, with you, I was used to ride the open sea, toward the Isles of Spain, waiting for the galleons to come. "

"I know, I know!" said my blue-eyed pirate softly and reverently; andso true was all his note to that inner struggling soul that lay bothin his bosom and my own, that I ceased to lament for my sin in soallowing modern youth to be misled, and turned to him with open hand, myself also young with the undying youth of the world. 

"Many a time, Black Bart, " said L'Olonnois solemnly, "have we crowdedon full sail when the lookout gave the word of a prize a-comin', whilewe laid to in some hidden channel over yonder. "

"Aye, aye, many a time, many a time, my hearty. "

"--An' loosed the bow-chaser an' shot away her foremast. "

"--At almost the first shot, L'Olonnois. "

"--So that her top hamper came down in a run an' swung her broadsideto our batteries. "

"--And we poured in a hail of chain-shot and set her hull afire. "

"--And then launched the boats for the boardin' parties, " broke inJean Lafitte, standing on one leg in his excitement; "--an' so madeher a prize. An' then we made 'em walk the plank amid scenes ofwassail--all but the fair captives. "

I fell silent. But L'Olonnois' blue eyes were glowing. "An' them wesurrounded with every rude luxury, " said he, "finally retiring to thefortresses of the hidden channels of the coast, where we defied allpursuit. This looks like one of them places, though I may be mistook, "he added judiciously. I shuddered to see how Jimmy's grammar haddeteriorated under my care. 

"Yes, " said I, "we are now near to several of those places, scenes ofour bold deeds. The south coast of Louisiana lies on our right, cut bya thousand bays and channels deep enough for hiding a pinnace or evena stout schooner. Yonder, Jean, is Barataria Bay, your old home. Here, under my finger, is Côte Blanche. Here comes the Chafalay, through itsnew channel--all this floating hyacinth, all this red water, comesfrom Texas soil, from the Red River, now discharging in new mouths. Yonder, west of the main boat channels that make toward the railwaysfar inland, lie the salt reefs and the live-oak islands. Here is thelong key they now call Marsh Island. It was not an island until you, stout Jean Lafitte, ordered the Yankee Morrison to take a hundredblack slaves with spades and cut a channel across the neck, so thatyou could get through more quickly from the Spanish Main to the hiddenbayous where your boats lay concealed--until the wagons from Iberiacould come and traffic at the causeway for your wares. Do you notremember it well?"

"Aye, that I do, Black Bart!" said he; and I was sure he did. 

"And yonder channel, once just wide enough for a yawl, is to-daywashed out wide enough for a fleet to pass through--though not deepenough. In that fact now lies our safety. "

"How do you mean, Black Bart?" demanded he. 

"Why, that all this water over yonder west of us is so shallow that ittakes a wise oyster boat to get through to Morgan City. The shrimperswho reap these waters, even the market shooting schooners who carrycanvasbacks out of these feeding beds in the marshes, have to know thetides and the winds as well, and if one be wrong the boat goes agroundon these wide shoals. Less than a fathom here and here and here on thechart soundings--less than that if an offshore wind blows. "

"You mean we'll go aground?"

"No, I mean that any pursuer very likely would. The glass is fallingnow. Soon the wind will rise. If it comes offshore for five hours--andit will wait for five hours before it does come offshore--we shall besafe, inside, at one of your old haunts, Jean Lafitte; and back of uswill lie fifty miles of barrier--yon varlet may well have a care. "

"Yon varlet don't know where we have went, " commented L'Olonnois inhis alarming grammar. 

"No, that is true. The water leaves no trail. Most Northerners go toFlorida for the winter, and not to these marshes. Methinks they willhave a long chase. "

"An' here, " said Jean Lafitte, with much enthusiasm, "we kin lieconcealed an' dart out on passin' craft that strike our fancy asprizes. "

"We could, " said I, "but we will not. "

"Why not?" He seemed chilled by my reply. 

"Oh, we shall not need to, " I hastened to explain. "We have everythingwe need for a long stay here. We can live chiefly by hunting andfishing for a month or so, until----"

"Until the fair captive has gave her consent, " broke in L'Olonnois, also with enthusiasm. 

"Yes, " said I, endeavoring a like enthusiasm. "Or, at least, until wefind it needful to go inland to one of the live-oak islands. There arehouses there. I know some of the planters over yonder. "

"Let's make them places scenes of rapeen!" suggested Jean Lafitteanxiously. "They must have gold and jewels. Besides, I bear it well inmind, many a time have I and my stout crew buried chests of treasureon them islands. We c'd dig 'em up. Maybe them folks has a'ready dug'em up. Then why not search their strongholds with a stout party ofour own hardy bullies, Black Bart?"

"No, " said I mildly; "for several reasons I think it best for myhardy bullies to go and eat some breakfast and then go to sleep. If wego into the live-oak heights above Côte Blanche, I think we'll onlyask for salt. I am almost sure, for instance, that my friend EdouardManning, of Bon Secours plantation, would give me salt if I asked it. He has done so before. Beshrew me, it should go hard with him if herefused. "

"There's a barrel an' eight boxes o' sacks o' salt aboard, " said thepractical Jean Lafitte. "What'd you want so much salt for?"

"'Twas yon varlet's idea, " said I, "when he laid in the ship's stores. But I had a mind that, to my taste, no salt is better than that madeby the Manning plantation mines. But now, " I added, "to yourbreakfast, after you have bathed. "

"Peterson, " said I, after they had left me, and pointing to the chart, "lay her west by south. I want to run inside the Timbalier Shoals. "

"Very shallow there, Mr. Harry--just look at the soundings, sir. "

"That's why I want to go. Hold on till you get the light at thischannel here, southeast of the Côte Blanche. You'll get a lot offloating hyacinth, but do what you can. I'll take my trick, as soon asI get a bite to eat. By night we'll be over our hurry and we can allarrange for better sleep. "

"And then--I--ahem! Mr. Harry, what are your plans?" He was just atrifle troubled over all this. 

"My plans, Peterson, " said I, "are to anchor off Timbalier to-night, to anchor in this channel of Côte Blanche to-morrow--and to eatbreakfast now. " Saying which I left him gloomily shaking his head, butlaying her now west by south as I had made the course. 

"The glass is falling mighty fast, Mr. Harry, " he called over hisshoulder to me by way of encouragement. 

CHAPTER XXVIII

IN WHICH IS CERTAIN POLITE CONVERSATION

My boy had ironed my trousers, that is to say, the trousers I hadgiven him the year previous, and which he now had loaned to me, myextremity being greater than his own. He had laundered my collars--amost useful boy, my China boy. I had, moreover, delving in CalDavidson's wardrobe, discovered yet another waistcoat, if possiblemore radiant even than the one with pink stripes, for that it wascross hatched with bars of pale pea green and mauve--I know not fromwhat looms he obtained these wondrous fabrics. Thus bravely attiredafter breakfast, just before luncheon, indeed, it was, I feltemboldened to call upon the captive ladies once more. With much shameI owned that I had not seen Auntie Lucinda for nearly two days--andwith much trepidation, also, for I knew not what new bitterness hersoul, meantime, might have distilled into venom against my coming. 

I knocked at the door of the ladies' cabin, the aftermost suite on theboat, and, at first, had no answer. The door, naturally, on a boat ofthis size, would be low, the roof rising above decks no higher thanone's waist; and as I bent to knock again, the door of the companionstairs was suddenly thrust open against my face, and framed in theopening thus made, there appeared the august visage of Auntie Lucindaherself. 

"Well, sir-r-r-r!" said she, after a time, regarding me sternly. I canby no means reproduce the awfulness of her "r's. "

"Yes, madam?" I replied mildly, holding my nose, which had beensmitten by the door. 

She made no answer, but stood, a basilisk in mien. 

"I just came, my dear Mrs. Daniver, " I began, "to ask you----"

"And time you did, sir-r-r-r! I was just coming to ask _you_----"

"And time you did, my dear Mrs. Daniver--I have missed you so much, these several days. So I just called to ask for your health. "

"You need not trouble about my health!"

"But I do, I do, madam! I give you my word, I was awake all night, thinking of--of your neuralgia. Neuralgia is something--somethingfierce, in a manner of speech--if one has it in the morning, my dearMrs. Daniver. "

"Don't 'dear Mrs. Daniver' me! I'm not your dear Mrs. Daniver at all. "

"Then whose dear Mrs. Daniver are you, my dear Mrs. Daniver?" Irejoined most impudently. 

"If the poor dear Admiral were alive, " said she, sniffing, "you shouldrepent those words!"

"I wish the poor dear Admiral were here, " said I. "I should like toask an abler sailorman than Peterson what to do, with the glassfalling as it is, and the holding ground none too good for an anchor. I thought it just as well to come and tell you to prepare for theworst. "

"The worst--what do you mean?" She now advanced three steps upward, sothat her shoulders were above the cabin door. Almost mechanically shetook my hand. 

"The worst just now is nothing worse than an orange with ice, my dearMrs. Daniver. And I only wanted you to come out on deck with--MissEmory--and see how blue the sea is. "

She advanced another step, being fond of an iced orange ateleven-thirty. But now she paused. "My niece is resting, " said she, feeling her way. 

"No, I am not, " I heard a voice say. Inadvertently I turned and almostperforce glanced down the cabin stair. Helena, in a loose morning wrapof pink, was lying on the couch. She now cast aside the covering ofeider-down, and shaking herself once, sprang up the stairs, so thather dark hair appeared under Auntie Lucinda's own. Slowly thatobstacle yielded, and both finally stood on the after deck. The softwind caught the dark tendrils of Helena's hair. With one hand shepushed at them. The other caught her loose robe about her softlyoutlined figure. 

"Helena!" remarked her aunt, frowning. 

"I want an orange, " remarked Miss Emory, addressing the impartialuniverse, and looking about for John. 

"And shall have it. But, " said I, finding a soft rug at the cabin-top, "I think perhaps you may find the air cool. Allow me. " I handed themchairs, and with a hand that trembled a bit put the soft covering overHelena's shoulders. She drew it close about her with one hand, and herdark hair flowing about her cheeks, found her orange with the otherwhen John came with his tray. 

It was a wondrous morning in early fall. Never had a southern sky beenmore blue, never the little curling waves saucier on the Gulf. The airwas mild, just fresh enough for zest. Around us circled many greatwhite gulls. Across the flats sailed a long slow line of pelicans;and out yonder, tossing up now and then like a black floating blanket, I could see a great raft of wild duck, taking their midday rest insafety. All the world seemed a million miles away. Care did not exist. And--so intimate and swiftly comprehensive is the human soul, especially the more primal soul of woman--already and without words, this young woman seemed to feel the less need of conversation, torecognize the slackening rein of custom. So that a rug and awrapper--granted always also an aunt--seemed to her not amiss as fullequipment for reception of a morning caller. 

"A very good orange, " said she at last. 

"Yes, " said her aunt promptly; "I'm sure we ought to thank Mr. Davidson for them. He was _such_ a good provider. "

"Except in waistcoats, " I protested, casually indicating his latestcontribution to my wardrobe. "Quantity, yes, I grant that, but as toquality, never! But why speak ill of the absent, especially regardingmatters of an earlier and bygone day? Yon varlet no longer exists forus--we no longer exist for him. We have passed, as two ships passyonder in the channel. I know not what he may be doing now, unlesscarrying roses to Miss Sally Byington. Certainly he can not know thatI, his hated rival, am safe from all pursuit behind the TimbalierShoals, and carrying oranges to a young lady in my belief almost asbeautiful as the beautiful Sally. "

Aunt Lucinda turned upon me a baleful eye. "You grow flippant as wellas rude, sir! As though you knew anything of that Byington girl. Idoubt if you ever saw her. "

"Oh, yes--last night. Miss Emory and I both saw her, last night, atLuigi's. As for yon varlet's providing, while I would not too muchcriticize a man whose waistcoats I wear even under protest, it is butfair to say that these oranges and all the fresh things taken on atNew Orleans, are of my providing, and not his. He was so busyproviding other things for Miss Sally Byington. "

"I don't think she is so beautiful, " said Helena, ceasing with herorange. "Her color is so full. Very likely she'll be blowsy in a fewyears. "

"How can you say so!" I rebuked, with much virtuous indignation. Butat the time I felt my heart leap at sight of Helena herself, the linesof her slim graceful figure defined even under the rug she had drawnabout her neck, the wind-blown little neck curls and the long fullerlock now plain against her fresh face, blown pale by the cool salt airthat sang above us gently. I could no longer even feign an interest inany other woman in the world. So very unconsciously I chuckled tomyself, and Helena heard me. 

"You don't think so yourself!" she remarked. 

"Think what?"

"That she is so beautiful. "

"No, I do not. Not as beautiful as----"

"Look at the funny bird!" said Helena suddenly. Yet I could seenothing out of the ordinary in the sea-bird she pointed out, skimmingand skipping close by. 

"Sir, " demanded Aunt Lucinda, also suddenly, "how long is this tolast?"

"You mean the orange-dish, Mrs. Daniver?" I queried politely. "As longas you like. I also am a good provider, although to no credit, as itseems. "

"You know I do not mean the oranges, sir. I mean this whole foolishbusiness. You are putting yourself liable to the law. "

"So did Jean Lafitte, over yonder in Barataria, " said I, "but he livedto a ripe old age and became famous. Why not I as well?"

"--You are ruining those two boys. I weep to think of our poorJimmy--why, he lords it about as though he owned the boat. And suchlanguage!"

"He shall own a part of her if he likes, if all comes out well, " saidI. "And as for Jean Lafitte, Junior, rarely have I seen a boy ofbetter judgment, cooler mind, or more talent in machinery. He shallhave an education, if he likes; and I know he will like. "

"It is wonderful what a waistcoat will do for the imagination, "remarked Helena, wholly casually. I turned to her. 

"I presume it is Mr. Davidson who is to be the fairy prince, " addedAunt Lucinda. 

"No, myself, " I spoke quietly. Aunt Lucinda for once was almost toounmistakable in her sniff of scorn. 

"I admit it seems unlikely, " said I. "Still, this is a wonderful age. Who can say what may be gained by the successful pirate!"

"You act one!" commented Aunt Lucinda. "It is brutal. It isoutrageous. It is abominable. No gentleman would be guilty of suchconduct. "

"I grant you, " said I, but flushed under the thrust. "But I am nolonger a gentleman where that conflicts with the purpose of my piracy. I come of a family, after all, madam, who often have had their way inpiracy. "

"And left a good useful business to go away to idleness! And nowspeak of doing large things! With whose money, pray?"

"You are very direct, my dear Mrs. Daniver, " said I mildly, "but thecatechism is not yet so far along as that. "

"But why did you do this crazy thing?"

"To marry Helena, and with your free consent as her next friend, " saidI, swiftly turning to her. "Since I must be equally frank. Pleasedon't go!" I said to Helena, for now, very pale, she was startingtoward the cabin door. But she paid no heed to me, and passed. 

"So now you have it, plainly, " said I to Mrs. Daniver. 

She turned on me a face full of surprise and anger mingled. "How dareyou, after all that has passed? You left the girl years ago. You haveno business, no fortune, not even the girl's consent. I'll not haveit! I love her. " The good woman's lips trembled. 

"So do I, " said I gently. "That is why we all are here. It is becauseof this madness called love. Ah, Mrs. Daniver, if you only knew! If Icould make you know! But surely you do know, you, too, have loved. Come, may you not love a lover, even one like myself? I'll be good toHelena. Believe me, she is my one sacred charge in life. I love her. Not worthy of her, no--but I love her. "

"That's too late. " But I saw her face relent at what she heard. "Ihave other plans. And you should have told her what you have told me. "

"Ah, have I not?" But then I suddenly remembered that, by somereversal of my logical mind, here I was, making love to AuntieLucinda, whom I did not love, whereas in the past I had spent muchtime in mere arguing with Helena, whom I did love. 

"I'm not sure that I've ever made it plain enough to her, that'strue, " said I slowly. "But if she gives me the chance, I'll spend allmy life telling her that very thing. That, since you ask me, is why weall are here--so that I may tell Helena, and you, and all the world, that very thing. I love her, very much. "

"But suppose she does not love you?" demanded Mrs. Daniver. "I'll sayfrankly, I've advised her against you all along. She ought to marry aman of some station in the world. "

"With money?"

"You put it baldly, but--yes. "

"Would that be enough--money?" I asked. 

"No. That is not fair----"

"--Only honor between us now. "

"It would go for to-day. Because, after all, money means power, andall of us worship power, you know--success. "

"And is that success--to have money, and then more money--and to goon, piling up more money--to have more summer places, and more yachtslike this, and more city houses, and more money, money, money--yes, yes, that's American, but is it all, is it right, is it the realambition for a man! And does that bring a woman happiness?"

"What would you do if you had your money back?" asked Mrs. Daniver. "You had a fortune from your father. "

"What would I do?" I rejoined hotly. "What I did do--settle everyclaim against his honor as much as against his estate--judge his honorby my own standards, and not his. Pay my debts--pay all my debts. It'sindependence, madam, and not money that I want. It's freedom, Mrs. Daniver, that I want, and not money. So far as it would be the usualmoney, buying almost nothing that is worth owning, I give you mysolemn oath I don't care enough for it to work for it! So far as itwould help me be a man, help me to build my own character, help mebuild manhood and character in my country--yes, I'd like it for that. But if money were the price of Helena herself, I'd not ask for it. The man who would court a girl with his money and not his manhood--thewoman who marries for money, or the man who does--what use has GodAlmighty got for either of them? It's men and women and things worthdoing who make this world, Mrs. Daniver. I love her, so much, soclearly, so wholly, that I think it must be right. And since you'veasked me, I've taken my man's chance, just to get you two alone, whereI could talk it over with you both. "

"It's been talked over, Harry, " said she, rather uncomfortably. "Whynot let the poor child alone? Has it occurred to you how terribly hardthis is for her?"

"Yes. But she can end it easily. Tell me, is she engaged to Davidson?"

"What difference?"

"None. "

"Why ask, then?"

"Tell me!"

"Well then, no, not so far as I know. "

"You are sorry?"

"I had hope for it. It was all coming on so handsomely. At Natchez hewas--he was, well, you know----"

"Almost upon the point?"

"Quite so. I thought, I believed that between there and----"

"Say between there and Baton Rouge----"

"Well, yes----"

"He would come to the main point?"

"Yes. "

"And he did not?"

"You can best answer. It was at Natchez that you and those ruffianlyboys ran off with Mr. Davidson's boat!"

"That's all, your Honor, " I remarked. "Take the witness, Mr. Davidson!"

"But what right you have to cross-question me, I don't know!"commented Mrs. Daniver, addressing a passing sea-gull, and pullingdown the corners of her mouth most forbiddingly. 

"My disused and forgotten art comes back to me once in a while, mydear Mrs. Daniver, " I answered exultantly. "Pray, do you notice howbeautiful all the world is this morning? The sky is so wonderful, thesea so adorable, don't you see?"

"I see that we are a long way from home. Tell me, are these sharkshere?"

"Oodles, " said I, "and very large. No use trying to swim away. Andyonder coast is inhabited only by hostile cannibals. Barataria itself, over yonder, is to-day no more than a shrimp-fishing village, partChinese, part Greek and part Sicilian. The railway runs far to thenorth, and the ship channel is far to the east. No one comes here. Itis days to Galveston, westward, and between lies a maze ofinterlocking channels, lakes and bayous, where boats once hid and mayhide again. Once we unship our flag mast, and we shall lie so saucyand close that behind a bank of rushes we never would be seen. And wedo not burn coal, and so make no smoke. Here is my chosen hidingground. In short, madam, you are in my power!"

"But really, how far----"

"Since you ask, I will answer. Yonder, to the westward, a bayou comesinto Côte Blanche. Follow that bayou, eighty miles from here, and youcome to the house of my friend, Edouard Manning, the kindest man inLouisiana, which is to say much. I had planned to have the weddingthere. "

"Your effrontery amazes me--I doubt your sanity!" said Aunt Lucinda, horrified. "But what good will all this do you?"

She had a certain bravery all her own, after all. Almost, I was on thepoint of telling her the truth; which was that I had during the longnight resolved once more to offer my hand to Helena, and if she nowrefused me, to accept my fate. I would torture her no more. No, if nowshe were still resolute, it was my purpose to sail up yonder bayou, toland at the Manning plantation, and there to part forever from Helenaand all my friends. I knew corners of the world far enough that nonemight find me. 

But I did not tell Aunt Lucinda this. Instead, I made no answer; andwe both sat looking out over the rippling gulf, silent for some time. I noted now a faint haze on the horizon inshore, like distantcloud-banks, not yet distinct but advancing. Aunt Lucinda, it seemed, was watching something else through the ship's glasses which she hadpicked up near by. 

"What is that, over yonder?" asked she--"it looks like a wreck of somekind. "

"It is a wreck--that of a lighthouse, " I told her. "It is lying flaton its side, a poor attitude for a lighthouse. The great tidal wave ofthe gulf storm, four years ago, destroyed it. We are now, to tell thetruth, at the edge of that district which causes the Weather Bureaumuch uncertainty--a breeding ground of the tropical cyclones thatbreak between the Indies and this coast. "

"And you bring us here?"

"Only to pass to the inner channels, madam, where we should be saferin case of storm. To-night, we shall anchor in the lee of a longisland, where the lighthouse is still standing, in its properposition, and where we shall be safe as a church. "

"Sharks! Storms! Shipwrecks!" moaned she. 

--"And pirates, " added I gently, "and cannibals. Yes, madam, yourplight is serious, and I know not what may come of it all--I wish Idid. "

"Well, no good will come of it, one thing sure, " said Aunt Lucinda, preparing to weep. 

And indeed, an instant later, my mournful skipper seemed to bear herout. I saw Peterson standing expectant, a little forward, now. 

"Well, Peterson?" I rose and went to him. 

"I beg pardon, sir, Mr. Harry, " said he somewhat anxiously, "but we'vebent her port shaft on a cursed oyster reef. "

"Very well, Peterson. Suppose we run with the starboard screw. "

"And the intake's clogged again with this cursed fine sand we'vepicked up. "

"After I warned Williams?"

"Yes, sir. And that's not the worst, sir. "

"Indeed? You must be happy, Peterson!"

"We can't log over eight knots now, and it's sixty miles to our lightback of the big key. "

"Excellent, Peterson!"

"And the glass is falling mighty fast. "

"In that case, Peterson, " said I, "the best thing you can do is tohold your course, and the best thing I can do is to get ready forlunch. "

"The best thing either of us can do is to get some sleep, " said he, "for we may not get much to-night. She'll break somewhere after sunsetto-night, very likely. "

"Peterson, " said I, "let us hope for the worst. "

All the same, I did not wholly like the look of things, for I had seenthese swift gulf storms before. A sudden sinking of the heart cameover me. What if my madness, indeed, should come to mean peril to her?Swiftly I stepped back to the door of the ladies' cabin, where Mrs. Daniver now disappeared. "Helena!" I cried. 

"Yes?" I heard her answer as she stepped toward the little stair. 

"Did you say 'Yes'?" I rejoined suddenly. 

"No, I did not! I only meant to ask what you wanted. "

"As though you did not know! I wanted only to call you to get readyfor luncheon. One of the owners of this waistcoat has provided apompano, not to mention some excellent endive. And the weather isfine, isn't it?"

CHAPTER XXIX

IN WHICH IS SHIPWRECK

It must be understood that our party on the _Belle Helène_ was dividedinto two, or rather, indeed, three camps, each somewhat sharplydefined and each somewhat ignorant of the other's doings in detail. The combination of either two against the other, in organized mutiny, might very well prove successful, wherefore it was my task to keep allapart by virtue of the authority which I had myself usurped. Themidship's cabin suite, of three rooms, was occupied by myself and mytwo bold young mates--when the latter were not elsewhere engaged. Wemade what might be called the ruling classes. Forward of our cabin, and accessible only from the deck, was the engine-room where Williamsworked, and off this were two bunks, well ventilated and verycomfortable, occupied by Williams and Peterson. Forward of this, andalso accessible only from the deck, lay the dining saloon, with itsfixed table, its cupboards, dish racks and wine-room. In her bows andbelow the saloon was the cook's gallery, a dumb-waiter runningbetween; and the sleeping quarters of John, the cook, and Willy, thedeck-hand, were in the forecastle below. This left the two captivesall the after part of the ship pretty much to themselves, and as theafter-suite of cabins was roomy and fitted with every modern nauticalluxury, they lacked neither freedom nor comfort, so far as these mayobtain on shipboard. Obviously, I said little to the ship's crew, except to Peterson, and my two mates had orders to keep to their ownpart of the ship, under my eye. 

Thus, like ancient Gaul, divided into three parts, we sailed on ourwholly indefinite voyage; and all I could do was to live from day today, or hour to hour. I was content, for Helena was there. Indeed, Iquestion if, these last three years, her image had not been alwayspresent in my consciousness; such are the fevers of our unreasoningblood, such the power of that madness known as love. 

But, thus divided as was our company, I had none such excellentopportunity for often seeing Helena, as might at first be supposed. She and her aunt refused to join us at any meal in the dining saloon;although, now and then, they came for breakfast to what Auntie Lucindawith scorn called the "second table". It was not feasible for me, often, to do more than call of a morning to inquire if all was wellwith them; and conversation through a lead-glass transom is not whatone would call intimate. Helena could bar her door if she liked inmore ways than one; and against the fences that she raised against meone way or another, what with headaches, whims or Aunt Lucinda, I hadnow no chance to meet her alone save as she herself might dictate. Sothat, after all, though now I stood as commander of the _Belle Helène_in place of yon varlet, Cal Davidson, although I ate his ship'sstores, wore, indeed, his waistcoats and his neckties when that washumanly possible, I was his successor only and not his equal. Hecould--nay, had done so--meet Helena as he liked, at meals, on deck, on a thousand errands, whereas I was helpless to do so. He could talkwith her all over the ship, take her alone on deck of a moonlit night, listen to her sing, gaze--oh, curse him!--on the little curls onHelena's neck--but no! I could not endure that thought. The roundwhite neck, the white shoulders, the soft curves beneath thepeignoir's careless irreverences--why, it was an intolerable thoughtthat any man should raise eye or heart or thought to Helena, savemyself. So, this morning, after that rare and unconventional meetingon the after deck, one easily may see how much I wished all Gaul weredivided into but two parts, and that the occupants of the reservedafter cabin would come to lunch in the saloon with their captors, Black Bart, Jean Lafitte and Henri L'Olonnois. 

Now, 'tis an odd thing, but one of my superstitions, that when we wishmuch and fervently and cleanly for any certain thing, one day thatthing is ours. Some day, some time, some hour or instant, our deardesire, our coveted thing, our wish, comes and flutters and alights atour side; if really we have deserved it and have wished long anddeeply and honestly and purposefully. You ask proof? Well, then, hardly had we three, Black Bart, Jean Lafitte and Henri L'Olonnois, seated ourselves at table for luncheon that day before I becamesensible of a faint shadow at the saloon stair. I saw a trim boot anda substantial ankle which I knew belonged to Aunt Lucinda; and then Ilooked up and saw on the deck Helena also, stooped, her clean-cuthead, with its blown dark hair, visible against the blue sky. 

"May I come in?" she asked gaily enough. And I reached up next to herto hand her down, and smooth down her skirt for her at the ratherawkward narrow stair. 

"You are always invited, " said I, and perhaps I flushed in mypleasure. "John, " I called down the tube, "two more--the ladies. " AndI heard his calm "All lite. "

My young gentlemen had risen, politely, but Helena gently pushed themdown into their places. "Be seated here, ladies, " said I. "Theseplaces are, as you see, always spread for you. Your covers wait. Andall the ship's silver shall see duty now. L'Olonnois, my hearty, youand I shall serve, eh? I am, indeed, delighted--greatly delighted--Ishall not inquire, I shall only hope. "

"Well, " boomed the deep voice of Auntie Lucinda, "we came because wedid not like the look of things. "

"To be sure, things are not looking bully, " I assented vaguely. 

"I mean the weather. It's getting black, and it's colder. And afterwhat you told me about the storms, and that lighthouse being blowndown----"

"My dear Mrs. Daniver, " said I, helping her to her chair whileL'Olonnois served his Auntie Helena in like fashion, "you really mustnot take one too seriously. That lighthouse fell over of its ownweight--the contractor's work was done shamefully. "

"But you said it blew, " ventured Helena. 

"It blows, a little, now and then, to be sure, but never very much, only enough to enable the oyster boats and shrimpers to get in. Howcould we have oysters without a sailing breeze?"

"It's more than a breeze, " said Aunt Lucinda. "My neuralgia tellsme----"

"It is fortunate that you honored us, my dear Mrs. Daniver, " said I, "for I have here in the cooler a bottle of ninety-three. I had aninspiration. I knew you would come, for nothing in the world couldhave pleased me so much. "

I was looking at Helena, whose eyes were cast down. I observed nowthat she was in somewhat elegant morning costume, her bridge coat ofVienna lace, caught with a wide bar of plain gold, covering some softand shimmering under-bodice which fitted closely enough to be formal. And I saw she had on many rings, and that her throat sparkled under acirclet of gems. 

She must have caught my glance of surprise, for she said nervously, "You think we are overplaying our return call? Well, the truth is, we're afraid. "

"So then?"--and I bowed. 

"So then I fished out all my jewelry. "

"We are honored. "

"Well, I didn't know what might happen. If one should beshipwrecked----" I caught her frightened gaze out an open port, perfectly aware myself of the swift weather change. 

"There is nothing like dressing the part of the shipwrecked, " said I. "For myself, these same flannels will do. "

"Pshaw!" said young L'Olonnois, "suppose she does pitch a little--itain't any worse'n on the _Mauretania_ when we went across. I ain'tscared, are you, John?"

"No, " replied Jean Lafitte shyly. He was almost overawed with theladies. But I liked the look of his eye now. 

"She's not as big as the _Mauretania_, " said Helena, fixingL'Olonnois' collar for him. 

"I'm sure she's going to roll horribly, " added Aunt Lucinda. "And if Ishould be seasick, with my neuralgia, I'm sure I don't know what Ishould do. "

"_I_ know!" remarked L'Olonnois; and Helena promptly dropped her handover his mouth. 

"Let us not think of storm and shipwreck, " said I, "at least untilthey come. I want to ask your attention to John's imitation of Luigi'soysters _à la marinière_. The oysters are of our own catching thismorning. For, you must know, the water hereabout is very shallow, andis full of oysters. "

"You said full of sharks, " corrected Aunt Lucinda. 

"Did I? I meant oysters. " And I helped her to some from thedumb-waiter and uncorked the very last bottle of the ninety-three leftin the case. "And as for this storm of which you speak, ladies, " Iadded as I poured, "I would there might come every day as ill a windif it would blow me as great a good as yourselves for luncheon. "

"Yes, " said L'Olonnois brightly, "you might blow in once in a whilean' see us fellers. I told Black Bart that captives----" but here Ikicked Jimmy under the table. Poor chap, what with his Auntie Helena'shand at one extremity and my boot at the other, he was strained in hisconversation, and in disgust, joined Jean Lafitte in complete silenceand oysters. 

"Really, " and Helena raised her eyes, "isn't it growing colder?"

"Jean, close the port behind Miss Emory, " said I. It was plain enoughto my mind that a blue norther was breaking, with its swift drop intemperature and its possibly high wind. 

"The table's actin' funny, " commented Jean Lafitte presently. He hadnever been at sea before. 

"Yes, " said Aunt Lucinda, with very much--too much--dignity. "If youall will please excuse me, I think I shall go back to the cabin. Helena!"

"Go with Mrs. Daniver at once, Jimmy, " said I to L'Olonnois. 

"Aye, aye, Sir!" saluted he joyously; and added aside as he passed me, "Hope the old girl's going to be good an' sick!"

I could see Peterson standing near the saloon's door, and bethought meto send Jean Lafitte up to aid him in making all shipshape. We werebeginning to roll; and I missed the smooth thrust of both ourpropellors, although now the engines were purring smoothly enough. Thus by mere chance, I found myself alone with Helena. I put out ahand to steady her as she rose. 

"Is it really going to be bad?" she inquired anxiously. "Auntie gets_so_ sick. "

"It will be rough, for three hours yet, " I admitted. "She's not so bigas the _Mauretania_, but as well built for her tonnage. You couldn'tpound her apart, no matter what came--she's oak and cedar, through andthrough, and every point----"

"You've studied her well, since you--since you came aboard?"

--"Yes, yes, to be sure I have. And she's worth her name. Don't youthink it was mighty fine of--of Mr. Davidson to name her afteryou--the _Belle Helène_?"

"He never did. If he had, why?"

"Don't ask such questions, with the glass falling as it is, " I said, pulling up the racks to restrain the dancing tumblers. 

"Oh, don't joke!" she said. "Harry!"

"Yes, Helena, " said I. 

"I'm afraid!"

"Why?"

"I don't know. But we seem so little and the sea so big. And it'sgetting black, and the fog is coming. Look--you can't see theshore-line any more now. "

It was as she said. The swift bank of vapor had blotted out thelow-lying shores entirely. We sailed now in a narrowing circle ofmist. I saw thin points of moisture on the port lights. And now Ibegan to close the ports. 

"There _is_ danger!" she reiterated. 

"All horses can run away, all auto cars can blow up, all boats cansink. But we have as good charts and compasses as the _Mauretania_, and in three hours----"

"But much can happen in three hours. "

"Much has happened in less time. It did not take me so long as that tolove you, Helena, and that I have not forgotten in more than fiveyears. Five years, Helena. And as to shipwreck, what does one morematter? It is you who have made shipwreck of a man's life. Take shamefor that. "

"Take shame yourself, to talk in this way to me, when I am helpless, when I can't get away, when I'm troubled and frightened half to death?Ah, fine of you to persecute a girl!" She sobbed, choking a little, but her head high. "Let me out, I'm going to Auntie Lucinda. I hateyou more and more. If I were to drown, I'd not take aid from you. "

"Do you mean that, Helena?" I asked, more than the chill of thenorther in my blood. 

"Yes, I mean it. You are a _coward_!"

I stood for quite a time between her and the companion stair, my handstill offering aid as she swayed in the boat's roll now. I wasthinking, and I was very sad. 

"Helena, " said I, "perhaps you have won. That's a hard word to takefrom man or woman. If it is in any way true, you have won and I havelost, and deserved to lose. But now, since little else remains, let mearrange matters as simply as I can. I'll admit there's an element ofrisk in our situation--one screw is out of commission, and one enginemight be better. If we missed the channel west of the shoals, wemight go aground--I hope not. Whether we do or not, I want to tellyou--over yonder, forty or fifty miles, is the channel running inland, which was my objective point all along. I know this coast in the dark, like a book. Now, I promise you, I'll take you in there to friends ofmine, people of your own class, and no one shall suspect one jot ofall this, other than that we were driven out of our course. And oncethere, you are free. You never will see my face again. I will do this, as a ship's man, for you, and if need comes, will give my life to keepyou safe. It's about all a coward can do for you. Now go, and if anytime of need comes for me to call you, you will be called. And youwill be cared for by the ship's men. And because I am head of theship's men, you will do as I say. But I hope no need for this willcome. Yonder is our course, where she heads now, and soon you will befree from me. You have wrecked me. Now I am derelict, from this timeon. Good-by. "

I heard footfalls above. "Mrs. Daniver's compliments to Captain BlackBart, " saluted L'Olonnois, "an' would he send my Auntie Helena back, because she's offle sick. "

"Take good care of your Auntie Helena, Jimmy, " said I, "and help heraft along the rail. "

I followed up the companionway, and saw her going slowly, head down, her coat of lace blown wide; her hand at her throat, and sobbing inwhat Jimmy and I both knew was fear of the storm. 

"Have they got everything they need there, Jimmy?" I asked, as hereturned. 

"Sure. And the old girl's going to have a peach of a one thistime--she can't hardly rock in a rockin' chair 'thout gettin' seasick. I think it's great, don't you? Look at her buck into 'em!"

Jimmy and his friend shared this immunity from _mal de mer_. I couldsee Jean now helping haul down our burgee, and the deck boy, Willy, inhis hurried work about the boat. Williams, I could not see. ButPeterson was now calm and much in his element, for a better skipperthan he never sailed a craft on the Great Lakes. 

"I think she's going to blow great guns, " said he, "and like enoughthe other engine'll pop any minute. "

"Yes?" I answered, stepping to the wheel. "In which case we go to DavyJones about when, Peterson?"

"We don't go!" he rejoined. "She's the grandest little ship afloat, and not a thing's the matter with her. "

"Can we make the channel and run inside the long key below the CôteBlanche Bayou?"

"Sure we can. You'd better get the covers off the boats, and see thebottom plugs in and some water and supplies shipped aboard--butthere's not the slightest danger in the world for _this_ boat, let metell you that, sir. I've seen her perform before now, and there's nota storm can blow on this coast she won't ride through. "

CHAPTER XXX

IN WHICH IS SHIPWRECK OF OTHER SORT

After the fashion of these gulf storms, this one tarried not in itscoming, nor offered any clemency when it had arrived. Where but ahalf-hour since the heavens had been fair, the sea rippling, suave andkind, now the sky was not visible at all and the tumbling waves aboutus rolled savagely as in a nature wholly changed. The wind sangominously overhead, as with lift and plunge we drove on into a bank ofmist. A chill as of doom swiftly had replaced the balm of the southernsky; and forsooth, all the mercy of the world seemed lost and gone. 

And as our craft, laboring, thrust forward blindly into this reek, with naught of comfort on any hand, nor even the dimmest ray of hopevisible from any fixed thing on ahead, in like travail of going, inlike groaning to the very soul, the bark of my life now lay in thewelter, helpless, reft of storm and strife, blind, counseled by nofixed ray ahead. I know not what purpose remained in me, that, likethe ship which bore us, I still, dumbly and without consciouspurpose, forged onward to some point fixed by reason or desire beforereason and desire had been engulfed by this final unkindness of theworld. For myself, I cared little or none at all. The plunge of theboat, the shriek of the wind, the wild magic and mystery of it, wouldhave comported not ill with a strong man's tastes even in hours morehappy, and now, especially, they jumped with the wild protest of asoul eager for some outlet of action or excitement. But for theseothers, these women--this woman--these boys, all brought into thisdanger by my own mad folly, ah! when the thought of these arose, aswift remorse caught me; and though for myself I feared not at all, for these I feared. 

Needs must, therefore, use every cool skilled resource that lay athand. No time now for broken hearts to ask attention, the ship must besailed. Crippled or not, what she had of help for us must be got outof her, used, fostered, nourished. All the art of the navigator mustbe charged with this duty. We must win through. And, as many a man whohas seen danger will testify, the great need brought to us all a greatcalm and a steady precision in that which needed doing. 

I saw Peterson at the wheel, wet to the skin, as now and again aseventh wave, slow, portentous, deadly-deliberate, showed ahead of us, advanced, reared and pounded down on us with its tons of might. But heonly shook the brine from his eyes and held her up, waiting for theslow pulse of our crippled engine to come on. 

"Can't keep my pipe lit!" he called to me, as I stood beside him; andat last, Peterson, in a real time of danger, seemed altogether happyand altogether free of apprehension beyond that regarding his pipe. 

At the first breaking of the storm I had, of course, ordered all portsclosed, and had sent both my young companions to the ladies' cabinaft, as the driest part of the boat. Even there, the water thatsometimes fell upon our decks as the great waves broke, poured aft andeven broke about the cabin, drenching everything above deck. It wasman's work that was to be done now, yet none could bear a hand in itsave the engineer and the steersman. I was, therefore, ready sternlyto reprove Jean Lafitte when, presently, I saw him making the perilouspassage forward, clinging to the rail and wet to the skin before hecould reach the forward deck. But he protested so earnestly and seemedwithal so fit and keen, that I relented and allowed him to take hisplace by us at the wheel, showing him as well as I could, on thechart, the course we were trying to hold--the mouth of a long channel, six miles or more, dredged by the government across a foot of the bayand making through to deeper and more sheltered waters beyond. 

"S'posin' we don't hit her, in this fog!" asked Jean Lafitte. 

"It is our business to do that, " was my reply. "In an hour or so morewe shall know. How did you leave the ladies, Jean?"

"Jimmy, he's sicker'n anything, " was his reply, "except the old lady, and she's sicker'n Jimmy! The young lady, Miss Emory, she's all right, an' she's holdin' their heads. She says she don't get sick. Neither doI--ain't that funny? But gee, this is rougher'n any waves ever was onour lake. What're you goin' to do?"

"Hold straight ahead, Jean, " I answered. "Now, wouldn't you better goback to the others?"

"Naw, I ain't scared--much. I told Jimmy, I did, any pirate ought tobe ashamed to get sick. But they're all scared. So'm I, some, " headded frankly. 

I might have made some confession of my own, had I liked, for I didnot, in the least, fancy the look of things; but after a time, Icompromised with sturdy Jean by sending him below into the diningsaloon, whence he could look out through the glass front and see thetumbling sea ahead. Through the glazed housing I could see himstanding, hands in pockets, legs wide, gazing out in the simpleconfidence that all was well, and enjoying the tumult and excitementof it all in his boyish ignorance. 

"He don't know!" grinned Peterson to me, and I only nodded in silence. 

"Where are we, Peterson?" I asked, putting a finger on the wet chartbefore us. 

"I don't know, " replied the old man. "It depends on the drift, whichwe can't calculate. Soundings mean nothing, for she's shallow formiles. If the fog would break, so we could see the light--there ain'tany fog-buoy on that channel mouth, and it's murder that there ain't. It's this d----d fog that makes it bad. "

I looked at my watch. It was now going on five o'clock, and in thislight, it soon would be night for us. Peterson caught the time, andfrowned. "Wish't we was in, " said he. "No use trying to anchor unlesswe must, anyhow--she'll ride mighty wet out here. Better buck on intoit. "

So we bucked on in, till five, till five-thirty, till six, and allthe boat's lights revealed was a yellow circle of fog that traveledwith us. Wet and chilled, we two stood at the wheel together, in suchhard conditions that no navigator and no pilot could have done muchmore than grope. 

"We must have missed her!" admitted the old skipper at last. "I don'tfancy the open gulf, and I don't fancy piling her up on some shore inhere. What do you think we should do, Mr. Harry?"

"Listen!" said I, raising a hand. 

"There's no bell-buoy, " said he. 

"No, but hark. Don't you hear the birds--there's a million geese andswans and ducks calling over yonder. "

"Right, by George!" said he. "But where?"

"They'd not be at sea, Peterson. They must be in some fresh-water lakeinside some key or island. On the Long Key there's such an inlandlake. "

"It's beyond the channel, maybe?" said he. But he signaled Williams togo slow, and that faithful unseen Cyclops, on whose precious enginesso much depended, obeyed and presently put out a head at his hatch, quickly withdrawing it as a white sea came inboard. 

"We'll crawl on in, " said Peterson. "The light can't be a thousandmiles from here. If only there was a nigger man and a dinner bellbeside the light--that's the trouble. And now--good God! _There shegoes!_"

With a jar which shook the good boat to the core, we felt the bottomcome up from the depths and smite us. Our headway ceased, save for asickening crunching crawl. The waves piled clear across our port bowas we swung. And so we hung, the gulf piling in on us in our yellowrimmed world. And at the lift and hollow of the sea we rose andpounded sullenly down, in such fashion as would have broken the backof any boat less stanch than ours. 

Here, in an eye's flash, was danger tangible and real. I heard ashriek from the cabin aft, and called out for them all to keep belowand keep the ports closed. Peterson had the power off in an instant, and swung her head as best he could with the dying headway; but itonly put her farther on the shoal. 

"It's the Timbalier Shoals!" he screamed. "Oh, d---- it all! We'lllose her, now. " I recalled that his concern seemed rather for his boatthan the lives she carried. 

Jean Lafitte came bounding up the companionway, his face pale, butready for ship's discipline. "Come, " said I quickly, "help me with theanchor. " A moment later, we sprung the capstan clutch, and I heard thebrief growl of the anchor chain as the big hook ran free. Glad enoughI was to think of the extra size it had. We eased her down and madefast under Peterson's orders now, and so swung into the head of thesea, which mercilessly lifted us and flung us down like a monkeyseeking to crack a cocoanut shell. Williams joined us now, and Willieand John, pale as Jean Lafitte, came up from the forecastle, allshouting and jabbering. I ran aft as soon as might be, and only pulledup at the cabin door to summon such air of calm as I might. I rapped, but followed in, not waiting. Helena met me, pale, her eyes wide, herhair disheveled, but none the less mistress of herself. 

"What is it?" she demanded. "What makes it jolt?"

"We've gone aground, " said I. "She does pound a little, doesn't she?"

She looked out into the wild night, across which the voices of theconfused wild fowl came like souls in torment. 

"This is terrible!" said she simply. "Are we lost?"

"No, " said I. "Let us hear no such talk. Go below, now, and keepquiet. We may pass the night here, or we may conclude after a littleto go on ahead a little farther. We've just dropped the anchor. Theisland's just over there a way. " I did not care to be too specific. 

"What is it, oh, what is it?" I heard the faint voice of Mrs. Daniver. "Oh, this is awful. I--am--going--to--die, going to _die_!" The agonyof _mal de mer_ was hers now of full license, for the choppy sea wassustained on the bosom of a long ground swell, coming we knew notwhence. 

"Jimmy!" I called down. "Are you there?"

"Yes, Sir, " answered L'Olonnois bravely, from his place on the floor. "I'm feeling pretty funny, but I'll be all right--maybe. "

"Stay right where you are--and you also, Miss Emory. I must go forwardnow, and just came to tell you it's all right. If there should be anyneed, we'll let you know. Now keep down, and keep the door shut. "

"I'm--going--to--_die_!" moaned Mrs. Daniver as I left. Helena made nooutcry, but that horror possessed her I knew very well, for everyreason told us that our case was desperate. The boat might start herseams or break her back, any instant, now. 

I found the men trying to make soundings all about us as best theycould with boat hooks and a spare spar. But it came to little. 

"Peterson, " said I, "you're ship's master. What are your orders?"

"Unlash the boat covers, " said he. "Get even the dingey ready. Williams, close your hatch and bear a hand to swing the big boat outin her davits. Set the bottom plugs in well. And Mr. Harry, you andJohn, the Chink, had better get some stores and a case or so ofbottled water aboard the long boat. Have you got the slickers and rugsready, and plenty of clothes? We'll just be ready if it happens. Idon't know where that damned light or the damned channel is, but thedamned ducks maybe know where some damned thing is. We'll run forthem, if we can't ride her out. "

We all hurried now, Jean Lafitte at my heels, silent and faithful as adog, aiding me as I piled blankets and coats and rugs from our cabininto the ship's boat, which swayed and swung perilously at the davits. What with the aid of John, the China boy, and Willy, the deck-hand, wealso got supplies aboard her, I scarce knew what, except that thereseemed abundance. And then we stood waiting for what might happen, helpless in the hands of the offended elements, and silent all. Iheld Jean's hand in my own. He was loyal to his mate, even now. "Jimmy'd be here, " he said. "'Course he would, only he's so awfulsick. I ain't sick--yet, but I feel funny, someway. "

Peterson stood looking ahead, but was anxious. "She's coming upstronger, " said he, "and two points on the port quarter. We're goingon harder all the time. Anchor's dragging. Afraid we're going to loseher, Mr. Harry. "

"Hush!" said I, nodding to the boy. "And turn on the search-light. Itseems to me I hear breakers in there. "

"That's so, " said the old man. "Hook on the light's battery, Williams, and let's see what we can see. "

The strong beam, wavering from side to side, plowed a furry path intothe fog. It disclosed at first only the succession of angry incomingwaves, each, as it passed, thudding us down on the bar of shell andmud and slime. But at last, off to starboard and well astern in ournew position, riding at anchor, we raised a faint white line of brokenwater which seemed a constant feature; and now and then caught the lowboom of the surf. 

"She ain't a half mile, over yonder, " I heard Willy, the deck-hand, say. "An' we could almost walk it if it wasn't for the sea. "

"Yes, sir, " said Williams, "we'd do fine in there now, with themboats. When we hit that white water----"

"Shut up!" ordered Peterson. "Safe as a church, here or there, youlubbers. Stand by your tackle, and keep your chin. Mr. Harry, tell theladies just to wrap up a bit, because--well, maybe, because----"

"Call me when it is time, Peterson, " said I; and moved aft, holdingJean Lafitte by the arm. 

"Gee!" said he, as he dropped, wet and out of breath, into the cabin;and "Gee!" remarked a very pale L'Olonnois in return, gamely as hecould. And Mrs. Daniver's moans went rhythmic with the pound of thekeel on the shoal. 

"What shall we do?" asked Helena at last calmly. "Auntie is very sick. I am beginning to fear for her, it is such a bad attack. This is asrough as I ever saw it on the Channel. "

"There is no danger, " said I, "but Peterson and I just thought that ifshe kept on pounding in this way, it might be better to go ashore. "

I spoke lightly, but well enough I knew the risk of trying to launch aboat in such a sea; and what the surf might be, none could say. Ah, how I wished that my empty assurance might be the truth. For I knewthat, anyway we looked, only danger stared back at us now, on everyhand. 

CHAPTER XXXI

IN WHICH WE TAKE TO THE BOATS

I looked at the woman I loved, and self-reproach was in my soul, as Isaw a shudder go across her form. She was pale, but beyond a swiftlook at me made no sign connecting me, either with the wreck or therescue. I think she had even then abandoned all hope of safety; and inmy own heart, such, also, was the rising conviction which I concealed. Under the inborn habit of self-preservation, under the cultivatedhabit of the well born, to show no fear and to use the resources of acalm mind to the last in time of danger, we stood now, at least, insome human equality. And again I lied and said, "There is no danger, "though I could see the white rollers and could hear their roar on theshore. 

The night grew wilder. The great gulf storm had not yet reached itsclimax, and none could tell what pitch of fury that might mean. Thedull jar of the boat as she time and again was flung down by thewaves, the shiver and creak and groan of the sturdy craft, told usthat the end might come at any instant, though now the anchor heldfirm and our crawl on to the shoal had ceased. All around us was wateronly four or five feet deep, but water whose waves were twice as high. Once the final crash came, and it would be too late to launch a boat, and all of us, overboard in that welter, were gone. 

Silently, I stepped on deck once more, and motioned to Willy, thedeck-hand, to bring me the life preservers. "Put them on, " I said toHelena. 

"Oh, I can't. I can't!" moaned the older woman. "I'm dying--let mealone. "

"Stop this nonsense, madam, " said I sternly--knowing that was the onlyway--"put it on at once. You too, Miss Emory, and you, my boys. Quick. Then throw on loose wraps--all you can. It will be cold. "

In spite of all my efforts to seem calm, the air of panic ran swiftly. Mrs. Daniver awoke to swift action as she tremblingly fastened thebelt about her. Pushing past me, she reached the deck, and so mad wasshe that in all likelihood she would have sprung overboard. I caughtat her, and though my clutch brought away little more than a handfulof false hair, it seemed to restore her reason though it destroyed hercoiffure. "Enough of this!" I cried to her. "Take your place by theboat, and do as you are told. " And I saw Helena pass forward, also, aswe all reached the deck, herself pale as a wraith, but with no outcryand no spoken word. So, at last, I ranged them all near the boat thatswung ready at the davits. 

"We can't all get in that, " said Jean Lafitte. 

"No, " said I: and I did not like to look at the tiny dingey which layon the cabin-top, squat and tub-like, or the small ducking skiff thathere on deck was half full of water from the breaking seas. 

"Peterson, " said I, "take charge of the big boat here. Take Williamsto run her motor for you. And the ladies will go with you. "

I turned to the two boys, and my heart leaped in pride for them both;for when I motioned to Jimmy to make ready for the large boat, withthe ladies, he stepped back, pale as he was. "Not unless John goes, too, " said he. And they stood side by side, simply and with no outcry, their young faces grave. 

"He must go with us--Jimmy, " broke out Helena yearningly: "and so mustyou. "

"Shut up, Auntie, " exclaimed Jimmy most irreverently. "Who's a-runnin'this boat, like to know?" Which abashed his auntie very much. 

"We'll take this one, " said Jean Lafitte, and already was tipping theduck boat. "It'll carry us three if it has to. " And I allowed him andhis mate to stand by, not daring to look at its inadequate shell andagain at the breaking seas. 

That left the dingey for Willy and the cook. I glanced at Willy. "Which would you rather chance?" I asked him, "the dingey or the duckboat?"

"The dingey, " said he quickly, --and we both knew the cork-like qualityof this stubby craft. 

"Very well, " said I. "Call John, when the word comes to go. "

"Aren't you going with us?" asked Helena now, suddenly, approachingme. I took one long look into her eyes, then, "Obey orders, " was all Isaid, and pointed to the larger boat. I said good-by to her then. And, in the swift intuitive justice that comes to us in moments ofextremity, I passed sentence upon these young boys and myself. Thoughthey had sinned in innocence, though I had sinned in love, it had beenour folly that had brought these others into this peril, and ourchance must be the least. Peterson and Williams would be a better teamin the big boat than any other we could afford. I saw Peterson steptoward us, and divined what was in his mind. "I'm owner of this boat, my man, " said I. "Go to your duty. You're needed in the big boat. "

"I'm last to leave her, " whispered the old man. "She's my boat, andI've run her. "

"Peterson, " said I, taking him aside, "I'll buy us another boat. Butthere is no woman on earth, nor ever will be, like that one yonder. Save her. It is your first duty. I wanted that for myself, but shethinks I'm a coward, and I would be, if I arranged our crews any otherway than just as we are. Take your boat through. We others will do thebest we can. And give the word for the boats when you're sure we can'tride it out. "

Silently, the old man touched his cap, and giving me one look, he wentto the bows of his boat. The _Belle Helène_, lashed by the storm, rolled and pulled at her cable, rose, fell thuddingly. And at last, came a giant swell that almost submerged us. I caught Helena to thecabin-top to keep her drier from it, and the two boys also sprang to apoint of safety. Mrs. Daniver, less agile, was caught by Peterson andWilliams and held to the rail, wetted thoroughly. And by some freak ofthe wind, at that instant came fully the roar of the surf. We of the_Belle Helène_ seemed very small. 

I looked now at Peterson. He raised his little megaphone, which hungat his belt, and shouted loud and clear, as though we could not haveheard him at this distance of ten feet. "Get ready to lower away!"Williams and the deck-hand sprang to the falls. "Get the women in theboat, you, Williams, " called the skipper, "and go in with them tosteady her when she floats. Take his place there, Mr. Harry. Livelynow!" And how we got the two women into the swinging boat I hardlyknew. 

The old skipper cast one eye ahead as a big wave rolled astern. "Now!"he shouted. "Lower away, there!"

The boat dropped into the cup of a sea, rose level with the rail thenext instant, and tossed perilously. I saw the two women huddled inthe bottom of her, their eyes covered, saw Williams climbing over themand easing her at the bowline. Then, as we seized the next instant ofthe rhythm, and hauled her alongside, Peterson made a leap and wentaboard her, and Williams scrambled back, once more, across the twohuddled forms. I saw him wrench at the engine crank, and heard thespitting chug of the little motor. They fell off in the seaway, Peterson holding her with an oar as he could till the screws caught. Then I saw her answer the helm and they staggered off, passing out ofthe beam of our search-light, so that it seemed to me I had saidgood-by to Helena forever. 

We who remained had no davits to aid us, and must launch by hand. Fora moment I stood and made my plans. First, I called to Willy, ourdeck-hand, who had the dingey now astern, some fashion. "Are youready?" I demanded: but the next moment I heard his call astern andknew that, monkey-like, he had got her over and was aboard hersomehow. 

"Now, boys, " said I, "come here and shake hands with Black Bart. " Theycame, their serious eyes turned up to me. And never has deeper emotionseized me than as I felt their young hands in mine. We said nothing. 

"Now, bear a hand there, you, Jean!" I pulled open the gate of therail, and ran out the landing stage, on which the flat-bottomed skiffsat. With an oar I pushed it across at right angles as nearly aspossible when she cleared. "Quick! Get in, both of you, " I called. Iwas holding the inboard end of the plank under a wedged oar shaft, thrust below the sill of the forward cabin door. They scrambled outand in, Jean grasping the bight of the painter that I handed him, andpassing it over the rail. 

"Now, look out, " I called, and dropped the landing stage to meet theswell of the next wave. They slid, tilted, righted, rose high--andheld. The next moment I sprang, fell into the sea, was caught by thecollar as my hand grasped the cockpit coaming, and so I slid in, somehow, over the end deck, and caught the end of the painter fromJohn's hand and cast her free. 

The drift carried us off at once, and the next wave almost hid thehull of the _Belle Helène_. I knew at once we were powerless, and thatour one hope lay in drifting ashore. There is no worse sea boat than alow, flat ducking boat, decked though she be, and of good coaming, forshe butts into and does not rise to a sea. But now, I thanked my star, one thing only was in our favor. We rolled like a log, already halffull of water, but we floated, because in each end of our skiff was abig empty tin air tank, put there in spite of the laughing protest ofthe builder, who said no room was left for decoys under the decks. Just now, those tin cans were worth more than many duck decoys. 

"Keep down!" I ordered. "And hold on!" The boys obeyed me. I couldsee their gaze bent on me, as the source of their hope, theirreliance. Jimmy was now free from the first violence of theseasickness, but I saw Jean's hand on his arm. 

"Gee!" I heard the latter mutter as the first sea crossed under us. "Dat was a peach. " I took heart myself, for we lived that one through. "Bail!" I ordered, and they took their cups to it, while I did all Icould with the long punt paddle to make some sort of course. Now andthen the blazing trail of the _Belle Helène's_ search-light swungacross as we rolled, to leave us, the next instant, in blackness. Asthe seas permitted, we could see her, riding and rocking, sometimes, alight from stern to stern and making a gallant fight for her life, aswere we all. 

So long as the rollers came in oily and black, we did well, but wherethe top of one broke under us, we sank deep into the white foam thathad no carrying power, and our cockpit filled so that we all sat inwater. Only the tanks held us, log-like, and we bailed and paddled:and after they saw we did not sink, my hardy bullies, perhaps in theignorance of youth and boy's confidence that a boy and water arefriends, began to shout aloud. We wallowed on. 

No sound came to us from either of the other boats; and now, veryquickly it seemed, we came at the edge of the surf. 

"I'm touching bottom, boys, " I called, and cast the long punt poleadrift as I took up the short paddle I had held under my leg. 

Now we had under us two feet of water or ten, as the waves might say, and any moment we might roll over; but we wallowed in, rolling, till Iknew the supreme moment had come. I waited, holding her head in wellas I could so unruly a hulk, and as a big roller came after us, paddled as hard as I could. The wave chased us, caught us, pushed us, carried us in. There was a lift of our loggish bows, a blinding crashof white water about us. Our boat was overturned, but in some way, since the beach was all sand and very gentle, the wave flattened sothat the back-tow did not pull us down. In some way, I do not knowhow, I found myself standing, and dragging Jimmy by the hand. Jeanalready was ahead, and I heard his shout and saw his hand as he stood, knee-deep but safe. So we all made it ashore, and our boat also, whichnow we hauled out of the spume. And the long white row of breakers, less dangerous than I had feared, came in, white maned and bellowing. 

I could still see the rocking lights of the yacht, and the shiftingstroke of the search-light on the sea, but I did not hear and seeaught else, at the time, and my heart sank. 

It was Jimmy whose ear first got the sound which came in--the feverishphut-phut of the motor skiff. Then the ray of the great light swungand I saw the boat still outside the breakers--nor could I tell thenwhy we had beaten her in. It seemed Peterson was hunting for usothers. 

"Stay back, boys!" I called to my companions. "You might get throwndown by the waves--keep back. " But now I was ready to rush in to meetthe long boat, whose keel I knew would leave her to overturn if shecaught bottom. 

But Peterson knew about the keel as well as any, and he caught what hethought was water enough before he yelled to Williams to drive her in. She sped in like an arrow; and again the white wave reared high andbroke upon its prey. By then, I was in water to my waist. I caughtHelena out with one reach of my arms, just as I saw Williams andPeterson stagger in with Mrs. Daniver between them. In some miraculousway we got beyond danger, and met my pirates, dancing and shouting awelcome to our desert isle. Their advent, thereon, gave the twowomenfolk a fervent wish to embrace, sob and weep extraordinarily. Ihad said nothing to Helena and said nothing now. 

"Where's the dingey, Peterson?" I called, as he came up, grinning. 

"Coming in, " said he; and forsooth that water-rat, Willy, made abetter landing of it than any of us, and calmly helped us now to haulthe heavy motor skiff up the beach, a few feet at a time as the wavesthrust it forward. 

"Thank God!" I heard Helena exclaim. "Oh, thank God! We're safe, we'reall safe, after all. "

I looked at my little group for a time, all soaked to the skin, allhuddled now close together. Peterson, Williams, Willy--all the crew, yes. Auntie Lucinda and the woman who had called me a coward--the twocaptives, yes, Jean Lafitte and Henri L'Olonnois and myself, BlackBart--all the ship's owners. What lacked? For a moment I could nottell why I had the vague feeling that something or some one wasmissing. 

"Willy, " said I at last, "where's John, the cook?"

"Why, I don't know, " said Willy. "Didn't he come with you?"

CHAPTER XXXII

IN WHICH I RESCUE THE COOK

"What's that?" said Peterson sharply--"you didn't obey orders?"

"Well, I thought he was in the other boat, " explained Willy, hanginghis head. 

"You'll get your time, " said the old man quietly, "soon as we get tothe railroad--and you'll go home by rail. "

"What are you trying to do, Mr. Harry?" he demanded of me, a momentlater. I was looking at the long boat. 

"Well, he's part of the boat's company, " said I, "and we've got tosave him, Peterson. "

"What's that?" asked Helena now coming up--and then, "Why, John, ourcook, isn't here, is he?" She, too, looked at the long boat and at thesea. "How horrible!" she said. "Horrible!"

"What does he mean to do?" she demanded now of Peterson in turn. Theold man only looked at her. 

"Surely, you don't mean to go out there again, " she said. 

I turned to them both, half cold with anger. "Do you think I'd leavehim out there to die, perhaps? It was my own fault, not to see him inthe boat. "

"It wasn't, " reiterated Peterson. "It was Willy's fault--or mine. "

"In either case it's likely to be equally serious for him. We can'tleave the poor devil helpless, that way. "

"Mr. Harry, " began Peterson again, "he's only a Chinaman. "

"Take shame to yourself for that, Peterson, " said I. "He's a part ofthe boat's company--a good cook--yes, but more than a good cook----"

"Well, why didn't he come up with the rest of us?"

"Because he was at his place of duty, below, until ordered up, " saidI. 

Peterson pondered for a moment. "That's right, " said he at length;"I'll go out with you. "

I felt Helena's hand on my arm. "It's awful out there, " said she. ButI only turned to look at her in the half-darkness and shook off herhand. 

"You can't launch the big boat, " said Peterson. "You'd only swamp her, if you tried. "

"That may be, " said I, "but the real thing is to try. "

"We might wait till the wind lulls, " he argued. 

"Yes, and if the wind should change she might drag her anchor and goout to sea. Which boat is best to take, Peterson?"

A strange feeling of calm came over me, an odd feeling not easy toexplain, that I was not a young man of leisure, but some one else, oneof my ancestors of earlier days, used to encounters with adversity orrisk. Calmly and much to my own surprise, I stood and estimated thechances as though I had been used to such things all my life. 

"Which is the best boat, Peterson?" I repeated. "Hardly the duck boat, I think--and you say not the big boat. "

"The dingey is the safest, " replied Peterson. "That little tub wouldride better; but no man could handle her out there. "

"Very well, " said I; "she'll get her second wetting, anyhow. Lend ahand. "

"She'll carry us both, " commented the old man, stepping to the side ofthe stubby little craft. 

"But she'll be lighter and ride easier with but one, " was my reply. "Achip is dry on top only as long as it's a chip. "

"Let me go along, " said Jean Lafitte, stepping up at this time. 

"You'll do nothing of the sort, my son, " said I. "Go back to theladies and make a fire, and make a shelter, " said I. "I'll be hereagain before long. "

The news of the new adventure now spread among our little party. Mrs. Daniver began sniffling. "Helena, " I heard her say, "this isterrible. " But meantime I was pulling off my sweater and fastening ona life belt. Nodding to Peterson, we both picked up the dingey, andwhen the next sea favored, made a swift run in the endeavor to breakthrough the surf. 

"Let go!" I cried to him, as the water swirled about our waist. "Goback!" And so I sprang in alone and left him. 

For the time I could make small headway, indeed, had not time to getat the oars, but pushing as I might with the first thing that came tohand, I felt the bottom under me, felt again the lift of the sea carryme out of touch. Then an incoming wave carried me back almost to thepoint whence I had started. In such way as I could not explain, nonethe less at length the little boat won through, no more than halffilled by the breaking comber. I worked first as best I might, paddling, and so keeping her off the best I could. Then when I got theoars, the stubby yawing little tub at first seemed scarce more than tohold her own. I pulled hard--hard as I could. Slowly, the line ofwhite breakers passed astern. After that, saving my strength a trifle, I edged out, now angling into the wind, now pulling full into theteeth of the gale. Even my purpose was almost forgotten in theintensity of the task of merely keeping away from the surf. Dully Ipulled, reasoning no more than that that was the thing for me to do. 

It had seemed a mile, that short half-mile between the yacht and thebeach. It seemed a hundred miles now going back to the boat. I did notdare ask myself how I could go aboard if even I won across so far asthe yacht. It was enough that I did not slip backward to the beachonce more. Yawing and jibbing in the wind which caught her stubbyfreeboard, the little boat, none the less, held up under me, and onceshe was bailed of the surf, rode fairly dry in spite of all, being farmore buoyant than either of the other craft. Once in the dark, I sawsomething thrust up beside me and fancied it to be a stake, markingthe channel which pierced the key hereabout. This was confirmed in mymind when, presently, as rain began to fall and the fog lessened forthe time, I saw the blurred yellow lighthouse eye answering thewavering search-light of the _Belle Helène_, which swept from side toside across the bay as she rolled heavily at her anchor. In spite ofthe hard fight it had given me, I was glad the wind still heldinshore. I knew the point of the little island lay not far beyond thelight. Once adrift beyond that, not the _Belle Helène_ herself wouldbe safe, in this offshore wind, but must be carried out into the gulfbeyond. 

Not reasoning much about this, however, and content with mere pulling, I kept on until at length I saw the nodding lights of the _BelleHelène_ lighting the gloom more definitely about me. Presently, I madeunder her lee, so that the dingey was more manageable, and at last, Iedged up almost to her rail, planning how, perhaps, I might cast aline and so make fast. But, first, I tried calling. 

"Ahoy, there below, John!" I called through the dark. At first therecame no answer, and again I shouted. At this I saw the door of thedining saloon pushed open, and John himself thrust out his hand. 

"All litee, " said he, merely greeting me casually. "You come?"

"Yes, " said I, with equal sang-froid. "You makee quick jump now, John, s'pose I come in. "

"All litee, " said he once more. I saw now that he stood there, a bookand a bundle in his arm. Perhaps he had been reading to pass the time!

Be that as it may, I cautiously pulled the dingey under the lee of the_Belle Helène_. Timing his leap with a sagacity and agility combinedwhich I had not suspected of him, my China boy made a leap, stumbled, righted himself, got his balance and so placed his bundle on thebottom of the boat and his book upon the seat, where he covered itcarefully against the spray. 

"All litee, " said he once more. "I makee pull now. You come thisplace. "

I endeavored to emulate his Oriental calm. "John, " said I, "I catcheeplenty wind this time. "

"Yes, plenty wind, " said he. 

"You suppose we leave China boy?" I demanded. 

"Oh, no, no!" he exclaimed with emphasis. "I know you come back alleetime bimeby, one time. "

"What were you doing, John?"

"I leed plenty 'Melican book, " said he calmly. "Now I makee pull. " Tooblige him I made way for him, and we crawled past each other on thefloor of the heaving dingey. He took the oars and began pulling withan odd chopping sort of a stroke, perhaps learned in his youth on somesampan that rode the waters of his native land; but for my own part, since Fate seemed to be kind to me after all, I trusted his skill, such as it was, and was willing to rest for a time. 

"No velly bad, " said John judicially, after a time. "Pretty soon comein. " No doubt he saw the little fire, now beginning to light thebeach. At any rate, he headed straight in, the seas following, reelingafter us. They have their own ways, these people of the East. I fancyJohn had run surf before. At any rate, I knew the water now wasshallow and that, perhaps, one could swim ashore if we were overset. Itrusted him to make the landing, however, and he did it like aveteran. One plunge through the ultimate white crest, and we werecarried up high on the beach, to meet the shouts of my men and to feeltheir hands grasp the gunwales of the sturdy little craft. 

"All litee, " remarked John amiably, and started for the fire, suchbeing his instinct, not with the purpose of getting warm, but ofcooking something. And in half an hour he had a cup of hot bouillonall around. 

"It's a commendable thing, " remarked Mrs. Daniver, "that you, sir, should go to the rescue of even a humble Chinaman. I find thisbouillon delicious. "

"Have you quite recovered from your seasickness by this time, Mrs. Daniver?" I asked politely. 

"Seasickness?" She raised an eyebrow in protest. "I never was seasickin my life--not even in the roughest crossings of the Channel, whereothers were quite helpless. "

"It is fortunate to be immune, " said I. "People tell me it is aterrible feeling--they even think they are going to die. "

Jean Lafitte, I found, had made quite a serviceable shelter, throwinga tarpaulin over one of the long boat's oars. We pushed our fire tothe front of this, and after a time induced the ladies to makethemselves more comfortable. Only with some protest did my heartypirates agree to share this shelter which made our sole protectionagainst the storm. 

CHAPTER XXXIII

IN WHICH WE ARE CASTAWAYS

The rain came down dismally, and the chill of the night was veryconsiderable, as I learned soon after ceasing my own exertions. Themen made some sort of shelter for themselves by turning up the longboat and the dingey on edge, crawling into the lee, and thus finding alittle protection. All but John, my cook. That calm personage, everytime I turned, was at my elbow in the dark, standing silent, waitingfor I knew not what. For the first time, I realized the virtue of hiswaterproof silk shirt. He seemed not to mind the rain, although heasked my consent to put his bundle and his book under the shelter. Istooped down at the firelight, curious to see the title of his book. It was familiar--_The Pirate's Own Book_!

"Where you catchee book, John?" I asked him. 

"Litlee boy he give me; him 'Melican book. I lead him some. Plentygood book. "

"Yes, " said I; "I see. That boy'll make pirates of us all, if wearen't careful. "

"That book, him tellee what do, sposee bad storm, " said John proudly. "I know. "

I walked over to where Peterson lay, his pipe now lighted by somemagic all his own. We now could see more plainly the furred and yellowgleam of the lighthouse lamp. Peterson's concern, however, was all forthe _Belle Helène_. 

"I hate to think of her out there all by herself, " said he. 

"So do I, Peterson. I hate also to think of all that ninety-three weleft out there. "

We were standing near the edge of the ladies' shelter, and I heardMrs. Daniver's voice as she put out her head at the edge of thetarpaulin. 

"I thought you said all the ninety-three was gone, " said she with someinterest, as it appeared to me. 

"No, we only had the last bottle of that case at luncheon, Mrs. Daniver, " said I. "There are yet other cases out yonder. "

"It's a bad night for neuralgia, " said she complainingly. 

"It is, madam. But I don't think I'll pull out again. And I amrejoiced that you are not troubled now with seasickness, --that younever are. " Which last resulted in her dignified silence. 

Through the night, there came continually the clamoring of the wildfowl in the lagoon back of us, and this seemed to make the boysrestless. It was Jean Lafitte, next, who poked his head out from underthe tarpaulin. 

"I've got the gun all right, " said he, "and a lot of shells. In themorning we'll go out and get some of those ducks that are squawking. "

"Yes, Jean, " said I; "we're in one of the best ducking countries onthis whole coast. "

"That's fine--we can live chiefly by huntin' and fishin', like it saysin the g'ographies. "

"If the wind should shift, " said I, "we may have to do that for quitea time. I don't know whether the lighthouse keeper has a boat or not, and the channel lies between us and the light--it makes out herestraight to the Gulf. But now, be quiet, my sons, and see if we can'tall get some sleep. I'll take care of the fire. "

I passed a little apart to hunt for some driftwood, my shadow, John, following close at hand. When I returned I found a muffled figurestanding at the feeble blaze. Helena raised her eyes, grave andserious. 

"It was splendid, " said she in a low tone of voice, addressing not somuch myself as all the world, it seemed to me. 

"Get back in there and go to sleep, " said I. And, quietly she obeyed, so far as I might tell. 

For my own part, I did not seek the shelter of the other boat, but, wrapped in sweater and slicker, stood in the rain, John at my side. Once in a while we set out in the dark to find more wood for thelittle fire. In some way the long night wore on. Toward morning therain ceased. It seemed to me that the rocking search-light of the_Belle Helène_ made scarce so wide an arc across the bay. Thelighthouse ray shone less furry and yellow through the night. The windbegan to lull, coming in gusts, at times after some moments of calm. The roll of the sea still came in, but sometimes I almost fancied thatthe surf was bellowing not so loud. And so at length, the dawn came, softening the gloom, and I could hear the roar of the great bodies ofwild fowl rising as they always do at dawn, the tumult of their wingsrivaling the heavy rhythm of the surf itself. 

The advancing calm of nature seemed to quiet the senses of thesleepers, even in their sleep. Gently making up the fire for the lasttime, as the gray light began to come across the beach, I wanderedinland a little way in search of the fresh water lagoon. Its edge laynot more than two or three hundred yards back of our bivouac. So, asbest I might, I bathed my face and hands, and regretted that suchthings as soap and towels had been forgotten with many other things. Not irremediable, our plight; for now I could see the _Belle Helène_still rolling at her anchor, uneasy, but still afloat; and in thedaylight, and with a lessening sea, there would be no great difficultyin boarding her as we liked. 

Presently the others of the party were all afoot, standing stiffly, sluggishly, in the chill of dawn; and such was the breakfast which myboy John presently prepared for us, that I confess I began to makecomparisons not wholly to his discredit. Now, for instance, said I tomyself, had it been Mrs. Daniver who had been forgotten on boardship--but, of course, that line of reasoning might not be followedout. And as for Mrs. Daniver herself, it was only just to say that shemade a fair attempt at comradeship, considering that she had retiredwithout any aid whatever for her neuralgia. Helena seemed reticent. The men, as usual, ate apart. I did not find myself loquacious. Onlymy two young ruffians seemed full of the enjoyment possible in such asituation. 

"Gee! ain't this fine?" said L'Olonnois. "I never did think we'd bereally shipwrecked and cast away on a desert island. This is justlike it is in the books. "

"Can we go huntin' now?" demanded Jean Lafitte, his mouth still fullof bacon. "And will you come along? There must be millions of themducks and geese. I didn't know there was so many in all the world. "

"You may go, both of you, Jean Lafitte, " said I, "if you'll be carefulnot to shoot yourselves. As for me, I must go back once more to theboat, I fancy. "

Peterson and I now held a brief conference, and presently, leaving theladies in charge of Willy and the cook, we two, with Williams to runthe motor, with some difficulty launched the long boat and made offthrough a sea none too amiable, to go aboard the _Belle Helène_ oncemore--which so short a time before I had thought we never might doagain. 

"This is easier than pulling out in the dingey, " grinned Peterson, aswe approached the _Belle Helène_. "Confound that deck-hand, he mighthave got you drowned! I'll fire him, sure!"

"No, " said I; "I've been thinking that over. There was a great deal ofconfusion, and after all, he may have thought that we had John withus. Besides, he's only young, and he's human. I'll tell you whatwe'll do, Peterson--I'll dock him a month's wages, and I'll send hiswages to his mother. Meantime, let him carry the wood and water for aweek. "

We found it not difficult now to go aboard the _Belle Helène_, for, inthe lessening seaway, she rolled not so evilly. Peterson sprang to thedeck as the bow of our boat rose alongside on a wave, and made fastour line. When Williams and I had followed, we took a generalinventory of the _Belle Helène_. All the deck gear was gone, spareoars and spars, a canvas or so, and some coils of rope. Beyond that, there seemed no serious damage, unless the hull had been injured byits pounding during the night. 

"It's a mud-bank here, I think, Mr. Harry, " said Peterson. "She mayhave ripped some of her copper on the oyster reefs, but she seems tobed full length and maybe she's not strained, after all. "

"There's the line of channel guides, " said I, pointing to a row ofsticks driven into the mud a couple of miles in length. 

"Yes, " said the old man, "the channel's not more than a biscuit tossfrom here. We came right across it--if it hadn't been in the dark, we'd have gone through into the lee of the island and been all right. Now as it is, we're all wrong. "

"How do you mean?" I asked. 

"How'll we get that anchor up?" grumbled he. "If we start the enginesand try to crawl up by the capstan, we couldn't pull her out of themud. If we put on a donkey engine we'd snatch the bow out of herebefore we could lift the hook. And until we do, how are we going tomove her? There's the channel, but it's as far as ever. We can't sweepher off, of course, and we can't pole her off. "

"Well, Peterson, " said I, "let us, by all means, hope for the worst. "I smiled, seeing that he now was possessed of his normal gloom. 

"Well, " said he, "we went on at full tide, and hard aground at that. This wind is blowing all the water out of Côte Blanche. Of course, ifthe wind should turn and drive in again, we might move her, if wecaught her at high tide once more. Until that happens, I guess we'reanchored here for sure. "

"The glass is rising now, Peterson, " said I, pleasantly. 

"Oh, yes, it may rise a little, " said he, "and of course the storm'sgone by for the time. But I don't think there's going to be any goodchange of weather that'll hold, very soon. But now, Williams and I'llgo below and see if we can start a pump. I expect she's sprung aleak, all right. "

Shaking his head in much apprehension, the old man made his way withWilliams, first into the engine-room. For my own part, I turned towardmy cabin door. All at once as I did so it seemed to me I heard asound. It came again, a sort of a meek diffident sound, expectantrather than complaining. And then I heard an unmistakable scraping atthe door. Hastening, I flung it open. I was greeted with a great whineof joy and trust, a shaggy form leaped upon me, thrust its cold noseinto my face, gave me much greetings of whines, and at length of aloud howl of joy. 

"Partial!" I cried, and caught him by the paws as he put them on myshoulders and rubbed his muzzle along my cheek, whimpering; "Partial!Oh, my dear chap, I say now, I'm glad to see you!"

As a matter of fact, I had forgotten Partial these three days, otherthings being on my mind. Once more our amateurishness in shipwreck hadnearly cost us a life. Partial, no doubt, had meekly waited at hisusual place until ordered to come out with the rest. We had closed thedoors and port-holes when we left the _Belle Helène_, and thus he hadbeen locked in. 

I sat down on one of the bench lockers with Partial's head in myhand, and almost my eyes became moist. "Partial, " said I, "let meconfess the truth to you. The woman had maddened me. I forgot you--Idid, and will own it now. It was a grave fault, my friend. I do notask you to forgive me, and all I can do is to promise you such amendas lies in my power. From now on, I promise you, you shall go with meto all the ends of the earth. My people shall be your people, tilldeath do us part. Do you hear me, Partial?"

He answered by springing up again and licking my face and hands, whimpering excitedly, glad that I had come at last. "Dear Partial, "said I, "you're no gladder than I am. And what's more, you've nothingto cost you penitence. Come, we'll go to the dining-room and seewhether there's anything left to eat. "

He followed me now along the rolling deck, and happily I was able toget him some scraps for his breakfast. Peterson heard me talking, andthrust up a head above the engine-room hatch. He was as crestfallen asmyself when I showed him that, once more, we had been forgetful andhad left a friend while busy in saving ourselves. 

I went once more to my cabin--Peterson having discovered, apparentlyto his great regret, that so far as could be determined, we had notstarted a seam or smashed a timber anywhere. I found a small tentamong other of my sporting equipment and tossed this out to go in thelong boat's cargo. Another fowling piece and ammunition, my canvashunting coat and wading boots, followed. Even, I caught down from anail the only other pair of trousers available in my wardrobe--forDavidson's vast midship section comported ill with my own. I found mywatch in these other trousers, and putting a hand in a pocket, fishedout also my portemonnaie. It had certain bills in it--I presume two orthree thousand dollars in all, and I thrust these into my pocket. Atthe bottom of the little purse, --among collar buttons and other hardobjects, --I found a little round white object, and once more bethoughtme of my pearl which I had won on the far northern river, as it seemedto me many years before--the pearl which, as I have said, was to beknown as the _Belle Helène_. I preserved it now. 

Peterson and Williams, meantime, were busy in getting aboard a case orso of water--not forgetting the ninety-three of which I reminded theold man once more. Some additional stores of bacon and tea, and acase of eggs, were also taken aboard. At length, with quite a littlecargo in the way of comforts, we embarked once more and started forour rude encampment. 

"We may be here for a month, " said Peterson gloomily, looking at the_Belle Helène_, now rolling just a little, her keel fast full lengthin the mud-bar. "I don't think there's ever going to be any change ofwind--it'll blow steadily this way for a week, anyhow. "

"I presume, Peterson, " said I coolly, "that you don't see the sunbreaking through the clouds over there, at all. And I fancy that youwill not believe, either, that the sea is lulling now. Very well, Idon't want to make you unhappy, my friend. "

I heard Williams chuckling as he stooped over his engine. Thus, chugging on merrily with the long oily roll of the sea under us, wepresently once more ran our surf, and this time had small difficultyin winning through, for, once we felt the ground under us, we simplysprang overboard and waded in, dragging the boat with us, waist-deepsometimes in the flood, but on the whole quite safe. 

My two pirate mates came down to the beach joyously, and helped usunload. It seemed that they had made something of a hunt already, forwith much pride Jean now displayed to me certain birds, proof of hisown prowess with his shotgun. 

"Some of 'em's good to eat, " said he. "Regular greenheads, like we getup North. " I looked at the string of birds, and saw that they weremallards and teals, a couple of dozen at least. 

"Fie, fie!" said I. "I fear you've been shooting on the water. "

"Sure I did! And here's four things that I don't suppose are good toeat--they got kind of snaky heads, and red-colored, too. Ain't noducks good to eat that ain't got green heads. "

"Each man to his taste, " said I, "but if you like, you may have thegreen heads, and I'll take these with the auburn locks. "

"Pshaw! What are they?" answered he. 

"Only canvasbacks, " said I, "and good fat ones, too. What luck haveyou, Jimmy, my son?"

"Well, I went along and helped carry things, " said L'Olonnois. 

"What's that you've got on a string?" I asked him. 

"Oh, that, " said he, flushing. "It ain't nothing but a little turtle. It had funny marks on its back. I caught it in the grass over thereby the lake. "

Something about Jimmy's little turtle interested me, and I picked itup in my hands. 

"For amateur sportsmen, gentlemen, " said I, "you're doing pretty well. Your funny little turtle, Jimmy, is nothing but a diamond-backterrapin. There are perhaps more of them on this coast than anywhereelse in the world to-day. And Partial, here--that friend of ours nowleaping excitedly and joyously before them, barking at this littleturtle of Jimmy's--will perhaps be able to help you find some more ofthem in the grass--the market hunters here hunt them with dogs, asperhaps you did not know. "

"We got some oysters, Sir, " said Willy, coming forward shyly andshamefacedly; and showed me the cockpit of the duck boat pretty wellfilled. The boy had, it seems, found a reef of these in a brackish armwhich made inland, and dug them by the simple process of stooping downbelow the surface of the water, since he had no oyster tongs. 

"Well, " said I, "it looks as if we would fare pretty well for lunch. John"--and I called my China boy--"again I find renewed cause forfelicitations on your rescue. "

John stood looking at me blankly. 

"You savee, John?" said I, showing him one of the canvasbacks, and heremarked mildly, "All litee. " If anything, his lunch was better thanhis breakfast, and when I saw him take Jimmy's funny little turtlefrom him and examine it with appraising eye, I felt fairly wellconvinced that we should not suffer at the dinner hour. 

But though a certain gaiety now came to others of the party as we satabout our midday meal, warm now and well fed, and although the boysexcitedly made plans about putting up the tent and furnishing it andgoing into camp for the winter, I could not share their eagerness. There was one other reticent figure at our fireside. Helena satsilent, the head of Partial in her lap. I felt resentment that sheshould steal from me even my dog. At last, having nothing better todo, I picked up my gun, and slipping on my coat, started down thebeach, telling the boys that I was going alone, perhaps too far forthem to follow, with the purpose of making some sort of an explorationof the island. 

Moody and depressed, not in the least well satisfied with life, evenwith matters thus so far more fortunate than we had so recently hadreason to expect, I walked along the hard sand, sometimes looking atthe long lines of wild fowl streaming in above the fresh-water lagoon, but in reality thinking but little of these. I did not at first hearthe light step which came behind me on the sand. 

CHAPTER XXXIV

IN WHICH IS NO RAPPROCHEMENT WITH THE FAIR CAPTIVE

"Harry!" I heard her call, and turned quickly. "Harry, wait!"

She came hurrying up toward me. I felt my color rise. Awkwardly, Istood waiting, and did not greet her. I cast a quick glance the otherway down the beach. It would be a hundred yards before the first bendof the shore-line would carry us behind the tall rushes. Meantime, wewere in full sight of all. 

Partial, who had followed me when I whistled, now greeted her morejoyously than did his master. 

"Yes?" said I dully; "I suppose you came to take away my dog from me, didn't you? It was all that was left. "

"Of course, " said she coloring. "I didn't know but what Partial mightbe hungry. "

"It is I who am hungry, Helena, " said I. "I have long been hungry--fora look, a word. "

She did not smile, showed not any trace of coquetry in her mien, butpaced on with me now down the beach. I suppose she knew when we hadturned the point of rushes, for now she laid her hand on my roughcanvas sleeve. It must have cost her effort to do that. 

"Harry, what's wrong with you?" said she after a time, since I stillremained moodily staring ahead. I did not answer, would not look ather for a time, but at length she turned. She stood, I say, with herhand on my arm, her chin raised fully, her serious eyes fixed on me. The dark hair was blown all about her face. She had on over her longwhite sweater a loose silk waterproof of some sort, which blew everyway, but did not disturb the lines of her tall figure, nor lessen thepale red and white which the sea breeze had stung into her cheeks. Shedid not smile, and her eyes, I say, looked steadily and seriously intomine. 

"What's wrong with you?" she asked, frowning slightly, as it seemed tome. 

"Everything in the world is wrong with me, as you know very well, "said I. "Am I not a poor man? Am I not an unsuccessful lover? Am I nota failure under every test which you can apply? Am I not a coward--didyou not tell me so yourself?"

Her eyes grew damp slowly. "I didn't mean it, " said she. 

"Then why did you say it?"

"It was long before--that was before last night, Harry. You forget. "

"What if it was?" I demanded. "I was the same man then that I was lastnight. "

"I didn't mean it, Harry, " said she, her voice low. Her hand was stillon my arm. Her eye now was cast down, the tip of her toe was tracing acircle on the wet sand where we stood. 

"I didn't think, " said she, after a little while. 

"I presume not, " said I coldly. "Sometimes women do not stop to think. You have not stopped to think that there is a limit even to what mylove would stand, Helena. Now, much as I love you--and I never lovedyou so much as I do now--I'll never again ask you for what you can notgive me. I've been rubbed the wrong way all I can stand, and I'll nothave it any more. I've brought you here, yes, and I'm sorry enough forit. But I'm going to fix all that now, soon as I can. "

"What do you mean, Harry?" she asked quietly. 

"Yonder, across the bay, " said I, pointing, "runs a channel. That'sthe Chenière. I presume the lighthouse boats come from in there. Maybethere'll be one down after the storm in a day or so. He'll take out amessage, and get it on some boat bound for Morgan City, perhaps. "

"And what then?"

"Why, I shall send out any message you like, beside my own message tothe parents of these boys of mine. And I'll send a message, too, to myfriend, Manning. "

She turned her eyes where I pointed once more, this time seeminglynorthward across the bay. "Yonder is still another channel, " said I, "not twenty miles from where we stand. It runs back to the live-oakislands where my friend Manning has his plantation. If the tide servesand we can get the yacht afloat, it won't take us long to get inthere. Once there, you are safe; and once there, I say good-by. Judgefor yourself whether or not this is the last time. "

"And when will that be, Harry?" she demanded, still tracing somefigure on the sand with the toe of her little boot. 

"That, I have said, is something I can not tell. But as soon aspossible, rest assured. "

She was silent now, confused, a little abashed, a mood entirely new toher in my recollection of her many moods. Her hand still lay upon mycoarse canvas sleeve as though she had forgotten it. I bent now andkissed it. "Harry, " said she in a whisper, "don't you care for me anymore?"

"Go back to the camp, Helena, " said I; "you know I do, but I've doneenough for you, and I'll do no more. All a coward can do to keep yousafe I have done, but I'm no such coward as to follow you around nowand dangle at your apron strings. It's good-by once more. What areyou, " I demanded fiercely, once more, "that you should walk over mysoul again and again? Hasn't there got to be an end to that sort ofthing some time, and don't you think there is an end for me? Go backand tell your aunt that you have won. And much joy may you both havein your winning. "

I kissed her hand, flung it off, turned and went down the beach. Shedid not look about, but presently as I saw, turned and went backtoward the camp, her head hanging. And, as I had said to her, I neverloved her so much in all my life, though never was I so littledisposed to go one step in her pursuit. 

Partial sat, looking after her also, his heart torn in the divisionbetween us, for he loved us both. 

"Partial, " I called to him harshly, and he came, his ears down andvery unhappy. Silently, the dog at my heels, I strode on down thebeach, and so I saw her no more for some time. 

I found for myself a driftwood log at the edge of the sea-marsh, andhere for a time I sat down, moodily staring out across the bay, asunhappy, I fancy, as man gets to be in this world. I scarce know howlong I sat here, in the wind which blew salt across the bay, and forsome time, I paid no attention to the clamoring fowl which passed andrepassed not far from my point. 

At length, a long harrow of great Canadian geese passed so close to methat without much thought about it, I raised the gun and fired. Ikilled two birds, and as I picked them up I found they were not abrace, but a pair. The report of my gun started a clamoring of allmanner of fowl beyond the edge of reeds which hid the reef. A cloud ofducks passed before me, and slipping in the shells once more, I firedright and left. Again I killed my brace, and again when I picked themup they were a pair. The head of one was green, the other brown. "Maleand female made He them!" said I. "If I had not killed these birds, inthe spring they would have gone northward, to the edge of the world intheir own love-making, thousands of miles from here. " I looked at myquarry with remorse, and not caring to shoot more, at length picked upthe birds and slowly started back to camp, not looking forward withany too great pleasure, it may be imagined, to further meetings withthe woman whom, of all the world, I most cared to meet. 

I found all the others of the party amiably engaged in camp affairs. The tent now was up, the fire was arranged in more practical fashion, and John was busy with his pans. Lafitte, ever resourceful and everbusy, was out with Willy after more oysters. L'Olonnois, his partner, seemed engaged in some sort of argument with his Auntie Helena. 

"Jimmy, I can't!" I heard her say. "There isn't any sugar. "

"Aw!" said he, "there's plenty of sugar, ain't there, John?" And thatworthy smiled as he pointed toward an open canister of that dainty. 

"But I haven't any pan. "

"Yes, you have, too, got a pan. Here's one a-settin' right here infront of you. Come on now, Auntie. We're goin' to have duck andterrapin and oysters and everything--all a fellow would want, besidesthat, is just fudges. "

Helena stood preoccupied and hesitant, hardly hearing what he said, asI fancy. At once L'Olonnois' attitude changed. Folding his arms, heturned toward her sternly. 

"Woman!" said he, "are you not a captive to our band? Then who givesorders here? Either you make fudges, or your life's blood stains thesesands!"

"Oh, all right, Jimmy, " she said listlessly. "I'll make them, if youlike. "

"You'd better, " remarked that worthy sententiously. "Of course, " headded, seeking to mollify his victim, over whom he thus domineered, "it ain't just like it is back home on the stove, but you'll have toget used to that, because we're going to live here forever. And, " headded, casting a glance of his stern blue eyes upon her, "it is thepart of the captive maid ever to live happily with the chief of thepirate band. "

Whereupon Helena and Jimmy both looked up and saw me standing, unwilling listener to all that had been said. Helena moved away andpretended to be busy with the material for her confections. 

"Aw, shucks, Black Bart, " said Jimmy, turning to me--"ain't that justlike a woman?--They won't never play the game. "

CHAPTER XXXV

IN WHICH I FIND TWO ESTIMABLE FRIENDS, BUT LOSE ONE BELOVED

The weather now, moderating, after the fashion of weather on thiscoast, as rapidly as it had become inclement, we passed a morecomfortable night on our desert island. No doubt the lighthouse tenderknew of our presence, for he easily could see our tent by day and ourfire by night, and he surely must have seen our good ship riding atanchor under his nose at the edge of the channel; but no visit camefrom that official--for the very good reason, as we later learned, that the storm had stove in his boat at her mooring; so that all hehimself could do was to cross his Cajun bosom and pray that his supplyskiff might come from across the bay. So, as much alone as the Swissfamily by name of Robinson--an odd name for a Swiss family, it alwaysseemed to me--we remained on our desert island undisturbed, the ladiesnow in the comfortable tent, my hardy pirates under the tarpaulin, andthe rest of us as we liked or might, all in beds of the sweet scentedgrasses which grew along the lagoon where the great ranks of wildfowl kept up their chatter day and night. 

It was a land of plenty, and any but a man in my situation might wellhave been content there for many days. Content was not in my own soul. I was up by dawn and busy about the boats, before any sign of life wasvisible around the tent or the canvas shelter. But since the sun rosewarm, it yet was early when we met at John's breakfast fire. I feltmyself a shabby figure, for in my haste I had forgotten my razors; andby now my clothing was sadly soiled and stained, even the most famousof the Davidson waistcoats being the worse for the salt-waterimmersions it had known; and my ancient flannels were corkscrewingabout my limbs. But as for Helena, young and vital, she discarded hersweater for breakfast, and appeared as she had before the shipwreck, in lace bridge coat and wearing many gems! L'Olonnois, with theintimacy of kin and the admiration of youth--and with youth's lack oftact--saluted her now gaily. "Gee! Auntie, " said he, at table on thesand, "togged out that way, all them glitterin' gems, you shore lookfit for a pirate's bride!"

Poor Helena! She blushed red to the hair; and I fear I did no bettermyself. "Jimmy!" reproved Aunt Lucinda. 

"Don't call me 'Jimmy'!" rejoined that hopeful. "My name isL'Olonnois, the Scourge of The Sea. Me an' Jean Lafitte, we followBlack Bart the Avenger, to the Spanish Main. Auntie, pass me thebacon, please. I'm just about starved. "

Mrs. Daniver, as was her custom, ate a very substantial breakfast;Helena, almost none at all; nor had I much taste for food. In someway, our constraint insensibly extended to all the party, much toL'Olonnois' disgust. "It's _her_ fault!" I overheard him say to hismate. "Women can't play no games. An' we was havin' such a bullychance! Now, like's not, we won't stay here longer'n it'll take to getthings back to the boat again. I don't want to go back home--I'drather be a pirate; an' so'd any fellow. "

"Sure he would, " assented Jean. They did not see me, behind the tent. 

"Somethin's wrong, " began L'Olonnois, portentously. 

"What'd you guess?" queried Lafitte. "Looks to me like it wassomethin' between him an' the fair captive. "

"That's just it--that's just what I said! Now, if Black Bart lets hiswhiskers grow, an' Auntie Helena wears them rings, ain't it just likein the book? Course it is! But here they go, don't eat nothin', don'ttalk none to nobody. "

"I'll tell you what!" began Lafitte. 

"Uh-huh, what?" demanded L'Olonnois. 

"A great wrong has been did our brave leader by yon heartless jade;that's what!"

"You betcher life they has. He's on the square, an' look what he donefor us--look how he managed things all the way down to here. Anybodyelse couldn't have got away with this. Anybody else'd never a' wentout there last night after John, just a Chink, thataway. An' her!"

Jimmy's disapproval of his auntie, as thus expressed, was extreme. Iwas now about to step away, but feared detection, so unwillingly heardon. 

"But he can't see no one else but yon fickle jade!" commented JeanLafitte, "unworthy as she is of a bold chief's regard!"

"Nope. That's what's goin' to make all the trouble. I'll tell youwhat!"

"What?"

"We'll have to fix it up, somehow. "

"How'd you mean?"

"Why, reason it out with 'em both. "

Jean apparently shook his head, or had some look of dubiousness, forL'Olonnois went on. 

"We _gotta_ do it, somehow. If we don't, we'll about have to go backhome; an' who wants to go back home from a good old desert island likethis here. _So_ now----"

"Uh, huh?"

"Why, I'll tell you, now. You see, I got some pull with her--the faircaptive. She used to lick me, but she don't dast to try it on here ona desert island: so I got some pull. An' like enough you c'd talk itover with Black Bart. "

"Nuh--uh! I don't like to. "

"Why?"

"Well, I don't. He's all right. "

"Yes, but we got to get 'em _together_!"

"Shore. But, my idea, he's hard to _get_ together if he gets a notionhe ain't had a square deal nohow, someways. "

"Well, he ain't. So that makes my part the hardest. But you just go tohim, and tell him not to hurry, because you are informed the faircaptive is goin' to relent, pretty soon, if we just don't get in toobig a hurry and run away from a place like this--where the duckshootin' is immense!"

"But kin you work _her_, Jimmy?"

"Well, I dunno. She's pretty set, if she thinks she ain't had a squaredeal, too. "

"Well now, " argued Lafitte, "if that's the way they both feel, eitherthey're both wrong an' ought to shake hands, or else one of 'em'swrong, and they either ought to get together an' find out which itwas, or else they ought to leave it to some one else to say which one_was_ wrong. Ain't that so?"

"O' course it's so. So now, thing fer us fellows to do, is just to putit before 'em plain, an' get 'em both to leave it to us two fellerswhat's right fer 'em both to do. Now, _I_ think they'd ought to getmarried, both of 'em--I mean to each other, you know. Folks _does_ getmarried. "

"Black Bart would, " said Jean Lafitte. "I'll bet anything. The faircaptive, she's a heartless jade, but I seen Black Bart lookin' at her, an'----"

"An' I seen her lookin' at him--leastways a picture--an' says she, 'Jimmy----'"

"Jimmy!" It was I, myself, red and angry, who now broke from myunwilling eavesdropping. 

The two boys turned to me innocently. I found it difficult to sayanything at all, and wisest to say nothing. "I was just going to askif you two wouldn't like to take the guns and go out after some moreducks--especially the kind with red heads and flat noses, such as wehad yesterday. And I'll lend you Partial, so you can try for some moreof those funny little turtles. I'll have to go out to the ship, andalso over to the lighthouse, before long. The tide will turn, perhaps, and at least the wind is offshore from the island now. "

"Sure, we'll go. " Jean spoke for both at once. 

"Very well, then. And be careful. And you'd--you'd better leave yourauntie and her auntie alone, Jimmy--they'll want to sleep. "

"You didn't hear us sayin' nothin', did you, Black Bart?" askedL'Olonnois, suspiciously. 

"By Jove! I believe that's a boat beating down the bay, " said I. "Sailho!" And so eager were they that they forgot my omission of directreply. 

"It's very likely only the lighthouse supply boat coming in, " said I. "I'll find out over there. Better run along, or the morning flight ofthe birds will be over. " So they ran along. 

As for myself, I called Peterson and Williams for another visit to ourdisabled ship, which now lay on a level keel, white and glistening, rocking gently in the bright wind. I left word for the ladies that wemight not be back for luncheon. 

We found that the piling waters of Côte Blanche, erstwhile blown outto sea, were now slowly settling back again after the offshore storm. The _Belle Helène_ had risen from her bed in the mud now and rodefree. Our soundings showed us that it would be easy now to break outthe anchor and reach the channel, just ahead. So, finding no leak ofconsequence, and the beloved engines not the worse for wear, Williamswent below to get up some power, while Peterson took the wheel and Iwent forward to the capstan. 

The donkey winch soon began its work, and I felt the great anchor atlength break away and come apeak. The current of the air swung usbefore we had all made fast; and as I sounded with a long bow pike, Ipresently called out to Peterson, "No bottom!" He nodded; and now, slowly, we took the channel and moved on in opposite the light. Wecould see the white-capped gulf rolling beyond. 

"Water there!" said Peterson. "We can go on through, come around inthe Morrison cut-off, and so make the end of the Manning channel tothe mainland. But I wish we had a local pilot. "

I nodded. "Drop her in alongside this fellow's wharf, " I added. "Theladies have sent some letters--to go out by the tender's boat, yonder--I suppose he'll be going back to-day. "

"Like enough, " said Peterson; and so gently we moved on up the dredgedchannel, and at last made fast at the tumble-down wharf of thelighthouse; courteously waiting for the little craft of the tender tomake its landing. 

We found the mooring none too good, what with the storm's work at thewharf, and as we shifted our lines a time or two, the gaping, jeans-clad Cajun who had come in with mail and supplies passed in tothe lighthouse ahead of us; and I wonder his head did not twist quiteoff its neck, for though he walked forward, he ever looked behind him. 

When at length we two, Peterson and myself, passed up the rickety walkto the equally rickety gallery at the foot of the light, we found twovery badly frightened men instead of a single curious one. The keeperin sooth had in hand a muzzle-loading shotgun of such extreme age, connected with such extreme length of barrel, as might have led one tosuspect it had grown an inch or so annually for all of many decades. He was too much frightened to make active resistance, however, andonly warned us away, himself, now, a pale saffron in color. 

"Keep hout!" he commanded. "No, you'll didn't!"

"We'll didn't what, my friend?" began I mildly. "Don't you like mylooks? Not that I blame you if you do not. But has the boat broughtdown any milk or eggs that you can spare?"

"No milluk--no haig!" muttered the light tender; and they would haveclosed the door. 

"Come, come now, my friends!" I rejoined testily. "Suppose youhaven't, you can at least be civil. I want to talk with you a minute. This is the power yacht _Belle Helène_, of Mackinaw, cruising on theGulf. We went aground in the storm; and all we want now is to send outa little mail by you to Morgan City, or wherever you go; and to passthe time of day with you, as friends should. What's wrong--do youthink us a government revenue boat, and are you smuggling stuff fromCuba through the light here?"

"We no make hany smug', " replied the keeper. "But we know you, who youbeen!"

He smote now upon an open newspaper, whose wrapper still lay on thefloor. I glanced, and this time I saw a half-page cut of the _BelleHelène_ herself, together with portraits of myself, Mrs. Daniver, MissEmory and two wholly imaginary and fearsome boys who very likely weremade up from newspaper portraits of the James Brothers! Moreover, myhasty glance caught sight of a line in large letters, reading:

 TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD!

"Peterson, " said I calmly, handing him the paper, "they seem to beafter us, and to value us rather high. "

He glanced, his eyes eager; but Peterson, while a professionaldoubter, was personally a man of whose loyalty and whose courage I, myself, had not the slightest doubt. 

"Let 'em come!" said he. "We're on our own way and about our ownbusiness; and outside the three mile zone, let 'em follow us on thehigh seas if they like. She's sound as a bell, Mr. Harry, and once weget her docked and her port shaft straight, there's nothing can touchher on the Gulf. Let 'em come. "

"But we can't dock here, my good Peterson. "

"Well, we can beat 'em with one engine and one screw. Besides, whathave we done?"

"Haint you was 'hrobber, han ron hoff with those sheep?" demanded thekeeper excitedly. 

"No, we are not ship thieves but gentlemen, my friend, " I answered, suddenly catching at his long gun and setting it behind me. "Youmight let that go off, " I explained. At which he went yellower thanever, a thing I had thought impossible. 

"Now, look here, " said I. "Suppose we are robbers, pirates, what youlike, and suppose a price is put on our heads--a price which means ajolly nice libel suit for each paper printing it, by the way, or ajolly nice apology--none the less, we are a strong band and withoutfear either of the law or of you. Here you are alone, and not a sailis in sight. If any boat did come here, we could--well, we could blowher out of the water, couldn't we, Peterson? We could blow you out ofthe water, too, couldn't we, we and these ruffians of our crew?"--andI pointed at the two low-browed pictures of Lafitte and L'Olonnois. 

A shudder was my only answer. I think the two portraits of my youngbullies did the business. 

"Very well, then, " I resumed, "it is plain, Messieurs, that there ismany a slip between the reward and the pocket, _voyez vous_? _Bien!_But here--" and I thrust a hand into my pocket--"is a reward muchcloser home, and far easier to attain. "

Their eyes bulged as they saw two or three thousand dollars in bigbills smoothed out. 

"_Ecoutez, Messieurs!_" said I. "Behold here not enemies, but men oflike mind. I speak of men who live by the sea, men of the old home ofJean Lafitte, that great merchant, that bold soldier, who did so muchto save his country at the Battle. Even now he has thousands offriends and hundreds of relatives in this land. You yourself, I doubtnot, Messieurs, are distant cousins of Jean Lafitte? _N'est-ce pas?_"

They crossed themselves, but murmured "_Ba-oui!_" "Est ees the trut'!How did Monsieur know?" asked the tender. 

"I know many things. I know that any cousin descended from those bravedays loves the sea and its ways more than he loves the law. And ifmoney has come easy--as this did--what harm if a cousin should takethe price of a rat-skin or two and carry out a letter or so to therailway, and keep a close mouth about it as well? To the good olddays, and Messieurs, my friends!" I had seen the neck of a flask inPeterson's pocket, and now I took it forth, unscrewed the top, andpassed it, with two bills of one hundred dollars each. 

They poured, grinned. I stood, waiting for their slow brains to act, but there was only a foregone answer. The keeper drank first, asranking his tender; the other followed; and they handed theflask--not the bills--back to Peterson and me. 

"_Merci, mes amis!_" said I. "And I drink to Jean Lafitte and the olddays! Perhaps, you may buy a mass for your cousin's soul?"

"_Ah non!_" answered the keeper. "Hees soul she's hout of _Purgatoire_long hago eef she'll goin' get hout. Me, I buy me some net fors'rimp. "

"An' me, two harpent more lan' for my farm, " quoth the tender. 

"Alas! poor Jean!" said I. "But he was so virtuous a man that he needsno masses after a hundred years, perhaps. As you like. You will takethe letters; and this for the telegraph?"

"Certain'! I'll took it those, " answered the tender. "You'll stayedfor dish coffee, yass?" inquired the keeper, with Cajun hospitality. 

"No, I fear it is not possible, thank you, " I replied. "We must begoing soon. "

"An' where you'll goin', Monsieur?"

"Around the island, up the channel, up the old oyster-boat channel ofMonsieur Edouard. The letters are some of them for Monsieur Edouardhimself. And you know well, _mes amis_, that once we lie at the wharfof Monsieur Edouard, not the government even of the state will touchus yonder?"

"My faith, _non!_ I should say it--certain' not! No man he'll mawnkeywit' Monsieur Edouard, heem! You'll was know him, Monsieur?"

"We went to school together. We smoked the same pipe. "

"My faith! You'll know Monsieur Edouard!" The keeper shook my hand. "H'I'll was work for Monsieur Edouard manny tam hon hees boat, honhees plantation, hon hees 'ouse. When I'll want some leetle money, s'pose those hrat he'll wasn't been prime yet, hall H'I'll need was togo non Monsieur Edouard, hask for those leetle monny. He'll han' it onme, yass, heem, ten dollar, jus' like as heasy Monsieur has gave it mehondred dollar now, yas, heem!"

"Yes? Well, I know that a cousin of Jean Lafitte--who no doubt has dugfor treasure all over the dooryard of Monsieur Edouard----"

"But not behin' the smoke-house--nevair on dose place yet, I'll swearit!"

"--Very well, suppose you have not yet included the smoke-house ofMonsieur Edouard, at least you are his friend. And what Acadian liveswho is not a friend of the ladies?"

"Certain', Monsieur. "

"Very well again. What you see in the paper is all false. The twoladies whose pictures you see here, and here, are yonder at our camp. You shall come and see that they are well and happy, both of them. Moreover, if you like another fifty for the mass for Jean Lafitte'ssoul, you, yourself, my friend, shall pilot us into the channel ofMonsieur Edouard. We'll tow your boat behind us across the bay. Is itnot?"

"Certain'! _oui!_" answered the tender. "But you'll had leetle dishcoffee quite plain?" once more demanded the lonesome keeper; and forsake of his hospitable soul we now said yes; and very good coffee itwas, too: and the better since I knew it meant we now were friends. Ah! pirate blood is far thicker than any water you may find. 

"But if we take you on as pilot, my friend, " said I to the pilot as atlength we arose, "how shall we get out our letters after all?"

"Thass hall right, " replied he, "my cousin, Richard Barrière--she'scousin of Jean Lafitte too, heem--she'll was my partner on the s'rimp, an' she'll was come hon the light, here, heem, to-mor', yas, heem. "

"And would you give the letters to Mr. Richard Barrière to-morrow?" Iinquired of the lighthouse keeper. 

"_Oui, oui_, certain', _assurement_, wit' _plaisir, Monsieur_, " hereplied. So I handed him the little packet. 

It chanced that my eye caught sight of one of the two letters Mrs. Daniver had handed me. The address was not in Mrs. Daniver'shandwriting, but one that I knew very well. And the letter, in thishandwriting that I knew very well, was addressed to Calvin HoraceDavidson, Esquire, The Boston Club, New Orleans, Louisiana: allwritten out in full in Helena's own scrupulous fashion. 

I gave the letter over to the messenger, but for a time I stoodsilent, thinking. I knew now very well what that letter contained. Butyesterday, Helena Emory had finally decided, there on the beach, alonewith me, the salt air on her cheek, the salt tears in her eyes. Shehad gone far as woman might to tell me that she was grieved over ahasty word--she had given me a chance, my first chance, my onlychance, my last chance. And, I, pig-headed fool, had slighted her atthe very moment of moments of all my life--I who had prided myself onmy "psychology"--I who had thought myself wise--I had allowed thatwoman to go away with her head drooping when at last she--oh, I saw itall plainly enough now! And now indeed small psychology and small witwere requisite to know the whole process of a woman's soul, thuschilled. She had been hesitant, had been a little resentful of thisrunaway situation, had not liked my domineering ways; but at last shehad relented and had asked my pardon. Then I had spurned her. And thenher mind swung to the other man. She had not yet given that man hisanswer, but when I chilled her, rejected her timid little desire to"make up" with me--why, then, her mind was made up for that other manat once. She had written his answer. And now--oh! fiendlike cruelty ofwoman's heart--she had chosen me as her messenger to carry out thatword which would cost me herself forever! She had done thatexquisitely well, as she did everything, not even advising me that Iwas to be her errand boy on such an errand, trusting me to find out byaccident, as I had, that I was to be my own executioner, was to springmy own guillotine. She knew that, none the less, though I understoodwhat the letter meant thus addressed, I sacredly must execute hersilent trust. Oh! Helena, yours was indeed an exquisite revenge forthat one hour of a dour man's hurt pride. 

CHAPTER XXXVI

IN WHICH WE FOLD OUR TENTS

By consent of the lighthouse keeper, we left the _Belle Helène_ mooredat the wharf in the channel, with Williams in charge, while Petersonand I, towing the tender's sailing skiff, its piratical lateen saillowered, started back for our encampment in our long boat. It was onlya half mile or so alongshore around the head of the island, althoughwe had to keep out a bit to avoid going aground on the flats where the_Belle Helène_ had come to grief--and had, moreover, to wade ashoresome fifty yards or so, now that the sea was calm, since the keel ofthe motor-boat would not admit a closer approach in the shallows. 

We found our party all assembled, John having but now issued hisluncheon call; and, such had proved the swift spell of this care-freelife, none expressed much delight at the announcement of my decisionto strike camp and move toward civilization. Helena only looked upswiftly, but made no comment; and Mrs. Daniver, to my surprise, openlyrebelled at leaving these flesh-pots, where canvasback and terrapinmight be had by shaking the bushes, and where the supply ofninety-three seemed, after all, not exhausted. Of course, my men hadnothing to say about it, but when it came to my partners andassociates, Lafitte and L'Olonnois, there was open mutiny. 

"Why, now, " protested L'Olonnois, his lip quivering, "O' _course_ wedon't want to go home. Ain't our desert island all right? Where yougoin' to find any better place 'n this, like to know? Besides"--andhere he drew me to one side--"they's a good reason for not goin' justyet, Black Bart!"

"What, Jimmy?" I inquired. 

"Well, _I_ know somethin'. "

"And what is it?"

"Well, Jean Lafitte knows it, too. "

"What is it then?"

"Well, it ain't happened yet, but it's goin' to--or anyhow maybe. "

"You interest me! Is it a matter of importance?"

"--Say it was!"

"To whom?"

"Why, to you--an' besides, to my Auntie Helena. 'N' you can't pull offthings like that just anywheres. Jean Lafitte an' me, we frame up howto handle yon heartless jade, the fair captive, 'n' here you butt in'n' spoil the whole works. It ain't right. "

I bethought me now of the conversation I had unwillinglyoverheard--and my heart was grateful to these my friends--but the nextinstant I remembered the note to Cal Davidson. 

"I thank you, Jimmy, my friend, " said I, "and I believe I know whatyou mean, but it can't be done. "

"What can't, an' why can't it?"

"Why, the--the frame-up that you have just mentioned. In short--but, Jimmy, go on and roll up the blankets. "

"But why can't it, and what do you know about it? Tell me, " hedemanded with sudden inspiration, "is yon varlet a suitor, too, foryon heartless jade?"

"I decline to answer, Jimmy. Don't let's get into too deep water. Goon and get your bundles ready. "

"You're a fine pirate, ain't you, Black Bart!" he broke out. "Do youhold yerself fit to head a band o' bold an' desprit men, when you letyerself be bluffed by yon varlet, an' him a thousand miles away? Youtry _me_, just you gimme a desert island, or even a pirut ship, aweek, like the chance you got, an' beshrew me, but any heartless jadewould be mine!"

"Oh, maybe not, Jimmy. "

"--Or else she'd walk the plank. "

"There isn't any plank to walk here, Jimmy, " said I, pointing to ourboat, which lay in the shoals far out. "I rather wish there were. "

"You'll have to carry my Auntie Helen out on yore strong right arm, Black Bart. "

"I'll do nothing of the sort, Jimmy. "

"Don't you like her no more? An' if you don't, what're we here for?"

I could foresee embarrassments in further conversation with Jimmy inhis present truculent mood, so sought out others less mutinous, andgave orders for the striking of the camp and the embarkment of all inthe small boats. I left Peterson and Willy to take the ladies and mostof the duffel in the large boat, assigned John the dingey for his cookboat, and decided to pole the light draft duck boat over the shallowsdirect to the yacht, taking my two associates with me. It wasnecessary, of course, to carry our fair passengers out to the longboat, which was some distance out on the flat beach. Peterson and Imade a cradle for Mrs. Daniver, with our locked hands, and so got hersubstantial weight aboard. Helena mutely waited, but seeing her so, and unwilling myself to be so near to her any more, I motioned her tostep into the flat duck boat, dry shod, and so poled her out to thelong boat; but I did so in silence, nor did she look up or speak tome. 

Our new pilot sat in his own boat, and was towed back, after renderingsome assistance with the cargoes; so now, at last, I was ready toleave a spot which, in any other circumstances, would have offeredmuch charm for a man fond of the out-of-doors. As for my youngfriends, they were almost in tears as they sat, looking back longinglyat the great flights of all manner of wild fowl continuously streamingin and out of the lagoon. At any other time, I would have beenunwilling as any to depart, but, now, the whole taste and flavor oflife had left me, and no interest remained in any of my oldoccupations or enjoyments. All that remained was the action necessaryto deliver Helena and her aunt back to the usual scenes of theirlives, to make their losses as light as possible, to take my ownlosses, and so close the books of my life. 

"There they come!" said Jean Lafitte, pointing to a vast gaggle ofclamoring wild geese coming in from the bay. "Right over our point, Jimmy! Gee! I wisht I was under them fellers right now. Pow! Pow!"

"Aw, shut up!" was Jimmy's reply. "We won't never get no chance likethis again. Why, looky here, we was reg'lar castaways on a real desertisland, an' we had a abandoned ship, an' we c'd 'a' lived chiefly byhuntin' an' fishin'; and we had evaded all pursuit an' run off withthe fair captive to a place o' hidin'--why, it's all just like in thebook. An' what do _we_ do? Why, we go home! Wouldn't it frost you? An'what's worse, we let the heartless jade get away with it, too! Ain'tthat so?"

"Yes, that's true, Jimmy, " I replied. 

"Well, I was talkin' to Jean Lafitte--but it's so. We started out allright as pirates, but now we let a girl bluff us. "

"What would you do, Jimmy, in a case like that?" I inquired. 

"I would wring the wench's slender neck, beshrew me! She couldn't putover none o' that coarse work on me. No, curses on her fair face!"

"That will do, Jimmy!" said I, and pushed on in silence, Jean Lafittevery grave, and Jimmy snuffling, now, in his grief at leaving theenchanted island. So, all much about the same time, we reached the_Belle Helène_ and went aboard. The ladies went at once to theircabin, and I saw neither again that day, although I sent down duck, terrapin and ninety-three for their dinner that night. 

In half an hour we were under way; and in an hour and a half, havingcircumvented our long desert island, we were passing through thecut-off which led us back into Côte Blanche, some fifty miles, Ipresume, from what was to be our voyage's end. We still were in thevast marsh country, an inaccessible region teeming with wild life. Thesky now was clear, the air once more warm, the breeze gentle, and allthe country roundabout us had a charm quite its own. A thousand sidechannels led back into the fortresses of the great sea-marsh, to thisor that of the many lakes, lagoons and pond holes where the wild fowlfound their feeding beds. Here was this refuge, where they fled toescape persecution, the spot most remote, secluded, secret, inaccessible. Here nature conspired to balk pursuit. The wide shallowsmade a bar now to the average sailing craft, and as for a motor-yachtlike ours, the presence of a local pilot, acquainted with all theoyster reefs and shallows, all the channels and cut-offs, made us feelmore easy, for we knew we could no longer sail merely by compass andchart. A great sense of remoteness from all the world came over me. Iscarce could realize that yonder, so lately left behind, roared themad tumult of the northern cities. This wide expanse was broken by nostructure dedicated to commerce, not even the quiet spire of somerural church arose among the lesser edifices of any village--not eventhe blue smoke of some farmhouse marked the dwelling-place of man. Itwas the wilderness, fit only for the nomad, fit only for the manresentful of restraint and custom, longing only for the freedom ofadventure and romance. The cycles of Cathay lay here in these graysilences, the leaf of the lotus pulsed on this lazy sea. Ah! here, here indeed were surcease and calm. 

And all this I was leaving. I was going back now to the vast tumult ofthe roaring towns, to the lip of mockery, the eye of insincerity, thehand of hypocrisy, where none may trust a neighbor. And moreover, Iwas going back without one look, face to face, into the eyes and theheart of the woman I had loved, and who, by force of theseextraordinary circumstances had, for a miraculous moment, been thusset down with me, her lover, in the very surroundings built ofProvidence for secrecy and love! Yonder, speeding to her summons, nodoubt hastened, ready to meet her, the man whom she had preferredabove me. And like a beast of burden, driven in the service of thesetwo, I was plodding on, in the work of leaving paradise andopportunity, and delivering safe into the hands of another man thewoman whom I loved far more than all else in all the world. 

CHAPTER XXXVII

IN WHICH IS PHILOSOPHY; WHICH, HOWEVER, SHOULD NOT BE SKIPPED

We passed on steadily to the northward until mid-afternoon, making nogreat headway with one propellor missing, but leaving the main gulfsteadily, and at length, raising, a faint blue loom on the sky, thelong oak-crowned heights of those singular geological formations, theheights known as "islands", that bound the head of this great bay. Here the land, springing out of the level marshes and alluvial wetprairies, thrusts up in long reefs, hundreds of feet above the sealevel. On the eminences grow ancient and mossy forest trees, as wellas much half-tropic brake in the lower levels. Here are wide and richacres also, owned as hereditary fees by old proud families, part ofwhose wealth comes from their plantations, part from their bayfisheries, and much from the ancient salt mines which lie under thesesingular uplifts above the great alluvial plain. As of right, heregrow mansion homes, and here is lived life as nearly feudal and aswholly dignified and cultured as any in any land. Ignorant of thebanal word "aristocracy, " here, uncounting wealth, unsearching of selfand uncritical of others, simple and fine, folk live as the bestambition of America might make one long to live, so far above thevulgar northern scramble for money and display as might make angelsweep for the latter in the comparison. 

Perhaps it was Edouard Manning, planter, miner, sportsman, gentleman, traveler, scholar and host, who first taught me what wealth mightmean, may mean, ought to mean. Always, before now, I had approachedhis home with joy, as that of an old friend. There, I knew, I wouldfind horses, guns, dogs, good sport and a simple welcome; and I couldread or ride as I preferred. A king among all the cousins of JeanLafitte, Monsieur Edouard. Hereabouts ran the old causeway by whichthe wagon reached the "importations" of Jean's barges, brought inlandfrom his schooners hid in the marshes far below. Here, too, as is wellknown in all the state, was the burying-ground of Jean Lafitte'streasure-chests: for, though the old adventurer sold silks andtobaccos and sugars very cheap to the planters and traders, hesecreted, as is well known, great store of plate, bullion and mintedcoins, at divers points about the several miles of forest coveredheights; so that the very atmosphere thereabout--till custom stales itfor the visitor who comes often there--reeks with the flavor of piecesof eight, Spanish doubloons, and rare gems of the Orient. Laughingly, many a time Monsieur Edouard had agreed to go a-treasure hunting withme, even had showed me several of the curious old treasure-keys, mapsand cabalistic characters which tell the place where Lafitte and hismen buried their gold--such maps as are kept as secret heirlooms inmany a Cajun family. 

But now, as I saw myself once more approaching this pleasant spot sowell known to me, I felt little of the old thrill of eagerness comeover me. True, Edouard would be there, and the dogs, and the birds, and the horses, and the quiet welcome. True, also, I could, either intruth or by evasion, establish a pleasant and conventional footing forall my party--it would be easy to explain so natural and pleasant anincident as a visit during a yacht cruise, and to laugh at all thatsilly newspaper sensation which by now must fully have blown over. True, Monsieur Edouard would be charmed to meet the woman whoseinfluence on my life he knew so well. Yes, I could tell himeverything easily, nicely, except the truth; which was, that I wasbringing to another man's arms the woman whom he knew I loved. No, theblue loom of Manning's Island gave me no joy now. I wished it threethousand miles away instead of thirty. I wished that almost anythingmight prevent my arrival--accident, delay. 

And then, in the most natural way in the world, there were both!Without much warning, the pulse of our engine slackened, the throb ofour single screw slowed down and ceased. Williams stuck his head upout of his engine-room and shouted something to Peterson, whomethodically drew out his pipe and made ready for a smoke. 

"It's no use going any farther, " explained Williams when I came up. "That intake's gone wrong again, and she's got sand all through her. It's a crime to see her cut herself all to pieces this way. We've justgot to stop and clean her up, that's all, and fix the job right--oughtto have done it back there before we started in. "

"How long will it take, Williams?" I asked. 

"Oh, I don't know, sir. More than this afternoon, sure. "

"That's too bad, " said I, with a fair imitation of regret. "We hadexpected to make Manning Island by night. "

"Yes, it is too bad, but it's better to stop than ruin her, isn't it, sir?"

"Certainly it is, and I quite approve your judgment. But I presume wecan go a little way yet, until we find a good berth somewhere? There'sa deep channel comes in from the left, just ahead, and I think if wemove on half a mile or so, we can get water enough to float even atlow tide, and at the same time be out of sight of any boats passing inthe lower part of the bay. "

"Oh, yes, sir, we can get that far, " said the engineer. Peterson wasfull of gloom, and though he thought nothing less than that we weregoing to be kept here a month, as one more event in a trip alreadyunlucky enough, he gave the wheel to our Cajun pilot, and we crawledon around the head of a long point that came out into the bay. Here wecould not see Manning Island, and were out of sight from most of thebay, so that, once more, the feeling of remoteness, aloofness, cameupon me. 

Not that it did me any present good. I despatched L'Olonnois asmessenger to the ladies, telling them the cause of our delay, andexplaining how difficult it was to say just when we would get in tothe island; and then I betook myself to gloomy pacing up and down whatrestricted part of the deck I felt free for my own use. I wearied ofit soon, and went to my cabin, trying to read. 

At first I undertook one of the modern novels which had beenrecommended by my bookseller, but I found myself unable to get on withit, and standing before my shelves took down one volume after anotherof philosophers who once were wont to comfort me--men with brains, thinking men who had done something in the world beside buying yachtsand country houses. My eye caught a page which earlier I had turneddown, and I read again:

"Trust thyself; every heart vibrates to that iron string. Accept theplace the Divine Providence has found for you--the society of friends, the connexion of events. Great men have always done so, and confidedthemselves childlike to the genius of their age. . . . And we now aremen, and must accept in the highest mind the same transcendentdestiny; and not pinched in a corner nor cowards fleeing before arevolution, but redeemers, and benefactors, pious aspirants to benoble clay, under the Almighty effort let us advance on Chaos and theDark. "

I read the mystic, involved, subjective words again, as most of theConcord Sage's words require, and reflected how well they jumped withthe note of my heathen Epictetus, who had said, "Be natural andnoble". And, so thinking, I began to wonder whether, after all, myfather, whose ruthless ways I betimes had explored, whose ruthlesssins I had betimes atoned, had not been, perhaps, a better man thansometimes I had credited him with being. He, in accordance with hislights, had accepted the part given him by the Poet of the Play. Hehad confided himself childlike to the genius of his age, roaring, fighting, scrambling, getting and sometimes giving. He had trustedhimself; and in the end, a bold man, he had advanced bravely on Chaosand the Dark. After a life of war and sometimes of rapine, done underthe genius of his day, he had struck boldly the last chord on an ironstring. Dear old Governor! I did not regret the million of his money Ihad spent to restore his memory clean in my own mind: for after all, it had all been in open war--that time when he unloaded a worthlessmine on his friend, Dan Emory--Helena's father, Daniel Emory, who was, at first, said to have left his family penniless; until a shrewdlawyer in some miraculous way had managed to sell at a good price abox full of worthless mining stock to some innocent victim. 

Helena Emory never knew of that sale, nor did her guardian aunt. I didknow of it, for the very good reason that I was both the shrewd lawyerand the innocent purchaser. It was the last act of my professionalcareer; and it was this which caused the general report that I hadmade a bad mining venture, had lost my father's fortune, and retiredfrom my career a ruined man. A few friends knew otherwise: and Iblessed the rumor which cost me certain friends who thought me poorand so forsook me. Perhaps, my father would have called me quixotichad he known. Now, as I read and pondered, I neither blamed him forhis own course in fair business war with old Dan Emory, nor did Icensure myself for my own hidden act of restitution. Let the world wagits head if it liked, and remain ignorant of other millions given tome before my father's death, unprobated, secret, after the fashion ofmy pirate parent who buried his treasures and told none but his kinhow they might be found. 

Of course, in time, it all might come out. In time, Helena would knowthat this yacht which she supposed to be Davidson's was my own, thatthe farm I was supposed to have rented really was a handsome estatethat I owned, that many covert deeds in finance had been my own--itwas only my silence and my absence in many parts of the world whichhad prevented her, also much a traveler, from knowing the truth aboutme long ago. And the truth was, I was not a poor man, but a rich one. 

Yet he who had stolen my purse would indeed have stolen trash thisday. Rich in one way, I was poor, indeed, in others. I cared nothingfor old Dan Emory's money, but very, very much for old Dan Emory'sdaughter; and her I might not have, even after all my efforts. . . . No, the waters would leave no trail; and once more, after I had restoredold Dan Emory's daughter to her home and friends, I would travel thewide world again, and the gossipers might guess what causes had endeda professional career, apparently ended a great fortune, and actuallyhad ended a life. . . . For, I thought--using some philosophy of my ownmaking--it is not wealth, but usefulness, contentment and independencewhich a man should hold as his most desired success. These achieved, little is left to gain. Any one of these last, and nothing remainsworth gaining. 

I took up another book, at another marked page: "Let us learn to becontent with what we have. Let us get rid of our false estimates, setup all the higher ideals--a quiet home, vines of our own planting; afew books full of the inspiration of genius; a few friends worthy ofbeing loved; a hundred innocent pleasures that bring no pain orremorse; a devotion to the right that will never swerve; a simplereligion empty of all bigotry, full of trust and hope and love--and tosuch a philosophy, this world will give up all the empty joy it has. "

I meditated over this also, applying these tests to my own life. . . . Ah! now I saw why my foot was ever restless, why I sought always newscenes. . . . Where was my quiet home, the vines of my own planting?Would I flee from that to every corner of the world? Not if it heldthe woman of my choice. Would she thus roam restless, if she held theheart of her chosen and if they had a home?. . . I began to see the Planunfold. Yes, and saw myself outside the Plan. . . . Because of a devotionto the right that would not swerve. Because of a fanaticism, an"oddness", a nonconformity--ah! so I said bitterly to myself, because, after all, I was unattuned to my age, because I was unfit to survivebefore a man's own judge. . . . It is Portia judges this world. The caseof every man comes before a woman for decision. I, who rarely had losta case at law where I could use my own trained mind, had lost my firstand only case at the bar of Love. . . . 

So--and I sighed as I shut the books and returned them to theirshelves--contentment never could be mine, nor that quiet home whereonly life is lived that is worth living; nor usefulness; norindependence. 

I did not hear Jimmy when he came in, and when he spoke I jumped, startled. 

CHAPTER XXXVIII

IN WHICH IS AN ARMISTICE WITH FATE

"Black Bart!" said Jimmy. "Say, now----"

"Well, good mate, " said I, and laid a hand on his curly fair head, "what shall I say?"

"Say nothin', " he remarked, dropping his voice. "Listen!"

"Yes?"

"We have held a council. "

"Who has?"

"Why, me and Jean Lafitte and the heartless jade. I told her you sentus to her to bid her seek your presence. "

"Jimmy! What on earth do you mean! That's precisely the last thing Iwould have done--I haven't done it. On the contrary----"

"I told her, " he resumed calmly, "that when Black Bart, the pirut, spoke, he spoke to be obeyed. She said, 'I can't go, ' and I said, 'You_gotta_ go. '"

"You, yourself, may now go and tell her that there has been a very badmistake, Jimmy; and that she need not come. "

"An' make her cry worse? I ain't goin' to do it!"

"Sir! This is mutiny!--But did she cry, Jimmy?"

"Yes. Awful. She said she was homesick. She ain't. I don't know whatreally is the matter. I ast Jean Lafitte, an' he said maybe you'dknow. We thought maybe it was something about yon varlet. Do youknow?"

"No, I do not, Jimmy. " I found myself engaged in one of thosedetestable conversations where one knows the talk ought to end, yetdislikes to end it. 

Jimmy stood for some time, much perturbed, looking every way but atme, and at last he blurted out. 

"Don't you just jolly well awfully love the fair captive, yonheartless jade--my Auntie Helen? Don't you, Black Bart?"

I made no answer, but frowned very much at his presumption. 

"--Because, everybody else does. She's nice. I should think you would. _I_ do, I know mighty well. "

"She is--she is--she's a very estimable young woman, Jimmy, " said I, coloring. "I think I may say that without compromising myself. "

"Then why do you hurt her feelings the way you do--when she's plumbgone on you, the way she is?"

I sprang toward him to clap a hand over his garrulous mouth, but heevaded me, and spoke from behind the bathroom door. "Well, she is!Don't I hear her sticking up for you all the time--didn't I hear heran' Auntie Lucinda havin' a reg'lar row over it again, 'I don't careif he _hasn't_ got a cent!' says she. "

"But yon varlet is rich, " said I. 

"She didn't mean yon varlet--she meant you, I'm pretty sure, BlackBart. An' she's been feedin' Partial all the afternoon--say, he's theshape of a sausage. "

"She is heartless, Jimmy! Little do you know the ways of a heartlessjade--she wants to win away from me the last thing on earth Ihave--even my dog. That's all. Now, Jimmy, you must go. "

But he emerged only in part from his shelter. "So Jean Lafitte an' me, we looked it up in the book; an' it says where the heartless jade isbrought before the pirut chief, 'How now, fair one!' says he, an' hebends on her the piercin' gaze o' his iggle eye: 'how now, wouldstspurn me suit?' The fair captive she bends her head an' stands beforehim unable to encounter his piercin' gaze, an' for some moments a deepsilence prevails----"

"Jimmy!" I heard a clear voice calling along the deck. No answer, andJimmy raised a hand to command silence of me also. 

"Jimme-e-e-e!" It was Helena's voice, and nearer along the rail. "Here's the fudges--now where can the little nuisance have gone! Jim!"

"Here I am, Auntie, " replied the little nuisance, as she nowapproached the door of our cabin; and he brushed past me and startednot aft but toward the bows. "An' there _you_ are!" he shouted overhis shoulder in cryptic speech, whether to me or to his Auntie Helen Icould not say. 

She stood now in such position near my door that neither of us couldavoid the other without open rudeness. I looked at her gravely and sheat me, her eyes wide, her lips silent for a time. Silently also, Iswung the cabin door wide and stood back for her to pass. 

"You have sent for me?" she said at last, still standing as she was. Afaint smile--part in humor, part in timidity, part, it seemed suddenlyto me, wistful; and all just a trifle pathetic--stirred her lips. 

"'I sent my soul through the Invisible, '" said I; and stepped withinand quite aside for her to pass. 

"Jimmy told the biggest lie in all his career, " said I. She would havesprung back. 

"--And the greatest truth ever told in all the world. Come in, HelenaEmory. Come into my quiet home. Already, as you know, you have comeinto my heart. "

"I am not used to going into a gentleman's--quarters, " said she: buther foot was on the shallow stair. 

"It is common to three gentlemen of the ship's company, Helena Emory, "said I, "and we have no better place to receive our friends. "

She now was in the room. I closed the door, and sprung the catch. 

"At last, " said I, "you are in my power!" And I bent upon her thepiercing gaze of my eagle eye. 

CHAPTER XXXIX

IN WHICH ARE SEALED ORDERS

She stood before me for just a moment undecided. The twilight wascoming and the room was dim. 

"Auntie will miss me, " said she, "after a time. "

"I have missed you all the time, " was my reply. 

"But you sent for me?"

"Of course I did. Doesn't this look as though I had?"

"I don't quite understand----"

"Shall I call Jimmy to explain? He called you a heartless jade----"

"The little imp! How dare he!"

"--As in fact all of our brotherhood has come to call you: 'Theheartless jade. '"

"I made fudges for him! And the little wretch told me I wasn't playingthe game! What did he mean? Oh, Harry, I wouldn't have come if Ihadn't wanted to play the game fairly. I'm sorry for what I said. " Shespoke now suddenly, impulsively. 

"What was it you said?"

"When I said--when I called you--a coward. I didn't mean it. "

"You said it. "

"But not the way you thought. I only meant, you took an unfairadvantage of a girl, running off with her, this way, and giving her nochance to--to get away. But now you do give me a chance--you meant to, all along--and in every way, as I've just done telling auntie, you'vebeen perfectly fine, perfectly splendid, perfectly bully, too! It hasbeen a hard place for a man, too, but--Harry, dear boy, I'll have tosay it, you've been some considerable gentleman through it all! Therenow!" And she stood, aloof, agitated, very likely flushed, though Icould not tell in the dark. 

"Thank you, Helena, " I said. 

"And as to your being any other sort of a coward--that you hadphysical fear--that you wouldn't do a man's part--why, I never didmean that at all. How could I? And if I had--why, even Auntie Lucindasaid your going out after that Chinaman the other night washeroic--even if he couldn't have cooked a bit!--and you know AuntieLucinda has always been against you. "

"Yes, and you both called me a coward, because I quit my law officeand ran away from misfortune. "

"Yes, we did. And I meant that, too! I say it now to your face, Harry. But maybe I don't know all about that----"

"Maybe not. "

"Well, I wouldn't want to be unjust, of course, but I _don't_ think aman ought to throw away his life. You're young. You could start overagain, and you ought to have tried. Your father made his own money, and so did my father--why, look at the Sally M. Mine, that has givenme my own fortune. Do you suppose that grew on a bush to be shakenoff? So why couldn't you go out in the same way and do something inthe world--I don't mean just make money, you know, but _do_ something?That's what a girl likes. And you were able enough. You are young andstrong, and you have your education; and I've heard my father say, before he died--and other men agreed with him--that you were the bestlawyer at our bar, and that you had an extraordinary mind, and a clearsense of justice, and, and----"

"Go on. Did he say that?"

"Yes. "

"But with all my fine qualities of mind and heart, " said I, "I lostall when I lost my money!"

"What do you mean?"

"I'll tell you what I mean--you dropped me because you thought mepoor. Well, I don't blame you. It takes money to live, and youdeserved all that the world can give. I don't blame you. There wereother men in the world for you. The trouble with me was that there wasno other woman in the world for me. All our trouble--all our manymeetings and partings--have come out of those two facts. "

"Did you think that of me?" she asked at length, slowly. I suppose shewas pale, but I could not see. 

"I certainly did. How could I think anything else?"

"Harry!" she half whispered. "Why, Harry, Harry!"

"Admit that you did!" I exclaimed bitterly, "and let me start fromthat as a premise. Listen! If you were a man, and loved a woman, andshe chucked you when you lost your money, do you think you'd breakyour neck to make any more success in the world after that? Why shouldyou? Why does a man work? It's for a home, for the sake of power, andmostly for the sake of the game. "

"Yes. "

"And I could play that game--I can play it now, and win at it, anytime I like. I quit it not because I was afraid of the game--it's theeasiest thing in the world to make money, if that's all you reallywant to do. That's all your father wanted, or mine, and it was easy. Ican play that game. But why? Ah! if it were to win a quiet home, thewoman I loved, independence, usefulness, contentment, --yes! But whenall those stakes were out of the game, Helena, I didn't care to playit any more. And that was why you thought I ran away. I did runaway--from myself, and you. "

She was silent now, and perhaps paler--I could not see. 

"--But wherever I have gone, Helena, all over the world, I've foundthose two people there ahead of me, and I couldn't escapethem--myself, and you!"

"Did you think that of me, Harry?" She half whispered once more. 

"Yes, I did. And did you think that of me?"

"Yes, I did. But I did not understand. "

"No. Like many a woman, you got cause and effect mixed up: and younever troubled yourself to get it straight. Let me tell you, unlesstwo people can come to each other without compromises and withoutexplanations and without reservations, they would better never comeat all. I don't want you cheap, you oughtn't to want me cheap. So howcan it end any way other than the way it has? If it was my loss offortune that made you chuck me, I oughtn't ever to give you a secondthought, for you wouldn't be worth it. The fact you did, and that Ido, hasn't anything to do with it at all. "

"No. "

"And if you don't think me able and disposed to play a man's part inthe world, you oughtn't to care a copper for me, that is plain, isn'tit?"

"Yes, quite plain. "

"And the fact that you did, and that you do, has nothing to do withit--nothing in the world, has it, Helena?"

"No. " She must have been very pale, though I could not tell. 

"Therefore, as logic shows us, my dear, and because we never did getour premises straight, and so never will get our conclusions straight, either--we don't belong together and never can come together, can we?"

"No. " I could barely hear her whisper. 

"No. And that is why, just before you came, I was trying to pullmyself together and to advance as best an unhappy devil may, uponChaos and the Dark! And that's all I see ahead, Helena, withoutyou--Chaos and the Dark. "

"It was all you saw that night, in the little boat, " she said after atime. "Yet you went?"

"Oh, yes, but that was different. "

"Is this all, Harry?" she said, and moved toward the door. 

"Yes, my dear; it is all--but all the rest. "

Her color must have risen, for I saw dimly that she raised both herhands to her bosom, her throat. Thus the heartless jade stood, herhead drooped, unable to meet the piercing gaze of my eagle eye. 

There came a faint scratching at the door, a little whimpering whine. 

"It is Partial, my dog, come after you, " said I bitterly. "He knowsyou are here. He never has done that way for me. He loves you. "

"He knows _you_ are here, and he loves you, " said she. "That is whythings come and scratch at doors where ruffians live. "

I flung open the door. "Partial, " said I, "come in; and choose betweenus. "

As to the first part of my speech, the invitation to enter, Partialobeyed with a rush; as to the second, the admonition, he apparentlycould not obey at all. In his poor dumb brute affliction, lack ofhuman speech, he stood, after saluting us both, alternately andequally, hesitant between us, wagging, whining and gazing, knowingfull well somewhat was wrong between us, grieving over us, beseechingus--but certainly not choosing between us. 

"Give him time, " said I hoarsely. "He loves you more, and is merelypolite to me. "

"Give him time, " said she bitterly. "He loves you more, and you don'tdeserve it. "

But Partial would not choose. 

"He wants us _both_, Helena!" said I at last. "He has wiped out logic, premises, conclusions, cause and effect, horse, cart and all! He wantsus _both_! He wants a quiet home and independence, Helena, andusefulness, and contentment. Ah, my God!"

She reached down and put a hand on his head, but he only looked fromone to the other of us, unhappy. 

"Don't you love me, Helena?" I asked quietly, after a time. "For thesake of my dog, can you not love me?"

She continued stroking the head of the agonized Partial. . . . And until, somewhat inarticulately, I had choked or spoken, and had caught herdark hair against my cheek and kissed her hair and stammered in herear, and turned her face and kissed her eyes and her cheek and herlips many, many times, Partial held his peace and issued nodecision. . . . At least, I did not hear him. . . . 

She was sobbing now, her head on my shoulder, as we sat on the lockerseat, and Partial's head was on the cushion beside us, and he wassilent and overjoyed, and tranquilly happy--seeing perhaps, that aquiet home would in the event be his, and that he was going to livehappy ever after. And after I drew Helena's head closer to my face, Ikissed her hair. 

"Do you love me, Helena?" I asked. "Only the truth now, in God'sname!"

"You know I do, " she said, and I felt her arms about my neck. 

"Have you, always?"

"I think so, yes. It seems always. "

"We have been cruel to each other. "

"Yes, are cruel now. "

"How now?"

"You make me say I love you, and yet----"

"You will marry me--right away, soon, Helena--as I am, poor, ragged, without a cent, only myself?"

"Not here, " she smiled. 

"At Edouard Manning's, at once, as soon as we get in?"

"It is duress! I am in the power of a ruffian band! Is it fair? Areyou sure I know my mind?"

"I am sure only that I know my own! Tell me, what was in that note Icarried, addressed to yon varlet Davidson?"

"Sealed orders!"

"And how does that affect me, Helena. Tell me--I know you love me, andyou know that all the rest is small, to that; but as to that weddingpart of it, Helena--what do you say?"

She hesitated for an instant. "You want me to--come--to come withhonor, as you do?"

"Yes. I'll take any risk that means with you. "

"Will you take sealed orders, too?"

"Yes. "

"Turn on the lights. "

I reached the switch, and an instant later a dozen high candle-powerbulbs flooded the suite with light. With a little cry of dismay Helenasprang away, and stood at my shaving-glass, arranging her hair. Nowand then she turned her face just enough to smile at me a little, hereyes dark, languid, heavy lidded, a faint shadow of blue beneath. Andnow and then her breast heaved, as though it were a sea late troubledby a storm gone by. 

"What will auntie say?" she sighed at last. 

"What will you say?" I replied. 

"Oh, brute, you shall not know! I must have some manner of revengeagainst a ruffian who has taken advantage of me while I was in hispower!"

"Ah, heartless jade!"

"--So you shall wait until we are ashore. I will give you sealedorders----"

"When?"

"Now. And you shall open them at your friend's house--as soon as weare all settled and straightened after leaving the boat--as soonas----"

"It looks as though it were as soon as you please, not when I please. "

"Harry, it is my revenge for the indignities you have heaped on me. Doyou think a girl will submit to that meekly--to be browbeaten, abused, endangered as I have been! No, sir--sealed orders or none. I have onlyowned I loved you. So many girls have been mistaken about thingswhen--when the moon, or a desert island or--or something has bewitchedthem. But I haven't said I would marry you, have I, ever?"

"No. I don't care about that so much as the other; but I care a very, very great deal about it, too. You, too, are cruel. You are aheartless jade. "

"And you have been a cruel and ruthless pirate. "

"Tell me now!"

"No. " And she evaded me, and gained the door. "I must go. Oh, it's alla ruin now--Auntie'll be furious. And what shall I say?"

"Give her sealed orders, and my love! And when do I get mine?"

"In five minutes. "

She was gone. . . . And after some moments, rapt as I was at her latepresence, which still seemed to fill the room like the fragrance, likethe fragrance of her hair which still lingered in my senses, I lookedabout, sighing for that she was gone. Then I noted that our friendPartial had gone with her. "Fie! Partial, after all, you loved hermore!" I said to myself. 

But in a few moments I heard a faint sound at my door. I opened. Therestood Partial in the dusk, gravely wagging his tail, looking at mewithout moving his head. And I saw that he held daintily in his moutha dainty note, addressed to me in the same handwriting as that on thenote I had sent out from the heartless jade to yon varlet. And it wassealed, and marked with instructions for its opening. . . . "When YouTwo Varlets Meet. " No more. 

"Peterson, " said I, advancing to the forward deck, where I found himsmoking, "I've been getting up some correspondence, since we'll beashore by to-morrow noon----"

"--I don't know as to that, Mr. Harry. "

"Well, I know about it. So, tell Williams that, even if he has to workall night, we must be moving as soon as it's light enough to see. I'vegot a very important message----"

"By wireless, Mr. Harry?" chuckled the old man. 

"Yes, by wireless, " (and I looked at Partial, who wagged his tail andsmiled). "So I must get into Manning Island the first possible momentto-morrow. And Peterson, as we've had so good a run this trip, with noaccident or misfortune of any kind, I don't know but I may make it amonth or two extra pay--double--for you and Williams, and even John. And as to Willy, please don't fire him, Peterson, for his desertingthe ship's cook the other night. In fact, I'm very glad, on the whole, he did. Give him double pay for doing it, Peterson!"

"Ain't this the wonderful age!" remarked Peterson to a star which wasrising over the misty marsh. "Especial, now, that wireless!"

I only patted Partial on the head, and we smiled pleasantly andunderstandingly at each other. Of course, Peterson could not know whatwe knew. 

CHAPTER XL

IN WHICH LAND SHOWS IN THE OFFING

Before the white sea mists had rolled away I was on deck, and hadsummoned a general conference of my crew. 

"'Polyte, " I demanded of our pilot, "how long before your partner willbe at the lighthouse, below, there?"

"'Ow long?"

"Yes. "

"Oh, maybe thees day sometam. "

"And how long before he'll start back with the mail?"

"'Ow long?"

"Yes. "

"Oh, maybe thees same day sometam. "

"And how long will it take him to get back to some post-office withthose letters?"

"'Ow long?"

"Yes. "

"Oh, maybe those nex' day sometam. "

"And then how long to the big railroad to New Orleans?"

"'Ow long?"

"Yes. "

"Oh, maybe those nex' day too h'also sometam, heem. "

"Then it will be three days, four days, before a letter could get fromthe lighthouse to New Orleans?"

"'Ow long?"

"Three or four days?"

"_Oui_, maybe so. "

"And how long will it take us to get in to the plantation of MonsieurEdouard, above, there?"

"'Ow long?"

"Yes. "

"H'I'll could not said, Monsieur. Maybe three four day--_'sais pas_. "

"Holy Mackinaw!" I remarked, _sotto voce_. 

"Pardon?" remarked 'Polyte respectfully. "LeMachinaw--_que-est-que-ce-que-est, ca_?"

"It is my patron saint, 'Polyte, " I explained, and he crossed himselffor his mistake. 

"Suppose those h'engine he'll h'ron, we'll get in four five h'ourh'all right, on Monsieur Edouard, yass, " he added. "H'I'll know thosechannel lak some books. "

By now Williams--who, judging by certain rappings, hammerings andclankings heard through the cabin walls back and above theengine-rooms, had been at work much of the night--had reported, andmuch to my pleasure had said he thought we could make it in at leastto the Manning dock before further repairs would be needed. To provewhich, he went down and "turned her over a time or two, " as heexpressed it. Whereupon I gave orders to break out the anchor, andknowing that any Cajun market hunter and shrimp fisher like 'Polytecan travel in any mist or fog before sunup by some instinct of hisown, I took a chance and began to feel our way out to the mouth of theManning channel before the morning mists were gone; so that we were atbreakfast by the time the wide and gently rippling bay broke clearbelow us, and by magic, we saw the oak-crowned heights of the islanddead ahead. 

Thence on, within the walls of the deep dredged channel, all we had todo was to go sufficiently slow and follow the curves carefully, sothat the heavy waves of our boat, larger than any intended for thatchannel, might not too much endanger the mud walls, or threatenwreckage to the frail stagings leading to the cabins of thehalf-aquatic trappers and fishers who dwell here in the marshes. 

So, at last, after many windings and doublings, we came in at the rearof the timbered slopes, and could see the mansion houses and theoffices of the stately old plantation, where dwelt my friend, EdouardManning, who knew nothing of my coming. 

After custom, I signaled loud and often with the boat's whistle, sothat the men might come to the landing for us; and, in order thatEdouard himself might be warned, I gave orders to my hardy mates tomake proper nautical salute of honor. 

"Cast loose the stern-chaser, Jean Lafitte, " said I: "and do you andL'Olonnois load and fire her often as you like until we land; or untilyou burst her. "

Gleefully they obeyed, and soon the roar of our deck gun echoedformidably along the slopes, as had no gun since the salt-seekingUnion navy, in the Civil War, had pounded at the gates of Edouard'sfather: and until scores of coots and rail chattered in excited chorusfor answer, and long clouds of wild ducks arose and circled over themarsh. Again and again, my bold mates loaded and fired: and now, turning back by chance from my own place at the wheel, I saw that theyhad assumed full character, and each with a red kerchief bound abouthis brow, was armed with, I dare not say how many, pistols, dirks, swords and cutlasses thrust through his belt or otherwise suspendedon his person. 

I saw now the two ladies, their fingers in their ears, also on deck, protesting at this cannonading at their cabin door; and so I raised myhat to a very radiant and radiantly appareled Helena, for the firsttime that day; and heard the answer of L'Olonnois to the dour protestof Auntie Lucinda. 

"We follow Black Bart the Avenger, an' let any seek to stop us attheir per-rul! Jean, run up the flag, while I load her up again. "

And Jean having once more hoisted the skull and cross-bones at ourmasthead, and assumed a specially savage scowl as he stood with foldedarms on our bow deck, we made what a mild imagination might havecalled rather an impressive entry as we swept into the Manninglanding. 

I was not surprised to see Edouard himself there, and his wife, andsome thirty odd dogs and as many blacks, waiting for us at the wharf. Nor was I surprised to see that all seemed somewhat to marvel at ourmanner of advent, though I knew that Edouard, through hisfield-glasses, had recognized both my boat and myself long before wemade the last curve and came gently in to the wharf where the grinningdarkies could catch our line. 

What did surprise me--and perhaps for a time I may have shownsurprise--was to see, in all this gay throng, two forms not usual onthe Manning landing. One was the elegantly garbed and rather stunningfigure of Sally Byington; and the other the robust, full-bodied, gorgeously arrayed form of my old friend, Cal Davidson! How or whythey came there I could not for the moment guess. 

"'Tis he--yon varlet!" I heard a stern voice hiss at my ear. "Beshrewme, but it shall go hard with him! I'm loading her up with marblesnow!" But I had no more than time to persuade my two lieutenants tomodify this purpose, and partially to disarm themselves, before thetwo groups were mingling, with much chattering and laughing and gaysaluting. 

Edouard, hat in hand, was on deck before our fenders touched thewharf, laughing and grasping my hands and looking up at my flag. 

"I knew you were coming, " said he. "Fact is, all the country's beenlooking for you. Davidson just got in a couple of hours ago--and youknow his lady is an old friend of Mrs. Manning's. And----"

He was shaking the hands of Mrs. Daniver and Helena almost before Icould present them. Auntie Lucinda bestowed upon him the gaze of asolemn and somewhat tear-stained visage (though I saw distinctapproval on her face as she caught sight of the great mansion houseamong the giant oaks, and witnessed the sophisticatedness of the groupon the landing, and the easy courtesy of Edouard himself). 

"By Jove! old man!" the latter found time to say to me, "Icongratulate you--she's away beyond her pictures. " He did not meanMrs. Daniver; and he never had seen Helena before. I could only presshis hand and attempt no comment as to the congratulations, for part ofthat was a matter which yet rested in a sealed envelope in my pocket;and at best it must be three or four days. . . . But then, with a greatflash of arrested intelligence, it was borne in upon me that perhaps, after all, it was not so much a question of the tardy United Statesmails! Because yon varlet, fat and saucy, and well content with life, already, by some means and for some reason, had outrun the mails. Hewas here, and we had met. It need not be four days before I couldlearn my fate. . . . I reached into my pocket and looked at my sealedorders. No matter what Davidson's letter held, here was Davidsonhimself. 

"Oh, I say, there, you Harry, confound you!" roared Davidson to me inhis great voice above the heads of everybody. "I say, what did I tellyou?"

Now I had not the slightest idea what Davidson had told me, nor whathe meant by waving a paper over his head. "They've signed Dingleheimerfor next year! Now what do you think of that? World's championship, and good old Dingleheimer for next year--I guess that's pretty poorfor them little old Giants, what?" And he smiled like one devoid ofall care as well as of all reason. 

I myself smiled just a moment later--after I had greeted the Manningladies, had seen Helena step up and kiss Sally Byington fervently, directly on the cheek, whose too keen coloring I once had heard herdecry; had slapped Edouard joyously on the shoulders and pointed to mypirate flag and gloomy black-visaged crew--I say I also smiledsuddenly when I felt a hand touch me on the shoulder. 

'Polyte, the pilot, stood, cap in hand, and asked me to one side. 

"Pardon, Monsieur, " said he, "but those _gentilhommes_--those fatone--ees eet she'll was Monsieur Davelson who'll H'I'll got letter onheem from those lighthouse, heem?"

"Why, yes, 'Polyte--the letter you said would take four days to get toNew Orleans. "

'Polyte smiled sheepishly. "He'll wouldn't took four days now, Monsieur! H'I'll got it h'all those letter here. H'I'll change thecoat on the _lighthouse_, maybe, h'an H'I'll got the coat of Guillaumewitt' h'all those letter in her, yass?" And he now handed me theentire packet of letters, which I had supposed left far behind us onthe previous day!

I took the letters from him, and handed all of them but one toEdouard's old body servant to put in the office mail. The remainingone I held in the same hand with its mate: and I motioned Davidsonaside to a spot under a live oak as the other began now slowly to movetoward the path from the landing up the hill. 

"This is for you, " said I, handing him his letter; and told him how itcame to him thus. 

"It's from Helena--dear old girl, isn't she a trump, after all!" hesaid, tearing open the letter and glancing at it. 

"She is a dear girl, Mr. Davidson, " said I, stiffly, "yes. "

"Why, of course--yes, of course I'd have done it, if I'd got thisbefore I left the city, " said he, "but how can I now?"--holding theletter open in his hand. 

"Do you mean to tell me, " I began, but choked in anger mixed withuncertainty. What was it she had asked of him, offered to him? And wasnot Helena's wish a command. 

"Yes, I mean to tell you or any one else, I'd do a favor to a lady ifI could; but----"

"What favor, Mr. Davidson?" I demanded icily. 

"Well, why 'Mr. Davidson'? Ain't I your pal, in spite of all the mussyou made of my plans? Why, I'm damned if I'll pay you the chartermoney at all, after the way you've acted, and all----"

"Mr. Davidson, damn the charter money!"

"That's what I say! What's charter money among friends? All right, ifyou can forgive half the charter fee, I'll forgive the other half, and----"

"What was in the letter from her?"

"It's none of your business, Harry--but still, I don't mind sayingthat Miss Emory wrote me and said that if I was still--oh! I say!" heroared, turning suddenly and poking a finger into my ribs, "if youhaven't got on one of my waistcoats!"

"The one with pink stripes, " said I still icily, "and deuced bad onesthey all are. And these clothes I borrowed from my China boy. Butthen----"

"I see, you must have come in a hurry, eh?"

"Yes. But come now, old man, what's in that letter? I've got one of myown here, done in the same hand, hers. I am under sealed orders--untilI shall have met you, which is now. So I suppose some sort ofexplanation is due on both sides. We might as well have it all outhere, before we join the house party, so as to avoid any awkwardness. "

"Oh, nothing in my letter to amount to anything, " he replied. "MissEmory only wanted to know if I'd please have her trunks shipped outhere from New Orleans--only that; and she asked me please to bring hera box of marshmallows, as hers were all gone. She's polite, always, dear old Helena--she says, here, 'So pleasant is our journey in everyway, and so kind have you gentlemen been, and so thoughtful inproviding every luxury, that I can not think of a single thing I couldask for except some more marshmallows. Jimmy, the young imp, mynephew, you know, has found mine, though I hid them under bothcushions in the stateroom. '"

I had my hat off, and was wiping my forehead. A sudden burst of gloryseemed to me to envelope all the world. If there had been duplicityanywhere, I did not care. 

"I suppose Jimmy is the one with two guns and a Jap sword, eh?" askedDavidson. 

"No, the other one, God bless him! Is that all there was in theletter, Cal?"

"Yes. What's in yours? What's the game--button, button, who's got thegirl? And can't you _open_ your letter now?"

"Yes, " said I, and did so. It contained just two words (Helenaafterward said she had not time to write more while Auntie Lucindamight be in from the other stateroom). [A]

"Well, what's it say, dash you!" demanded Cal Davidson. "Play fairnow--I told, and so must you!"

"I'm damned if I do, Cal!" said I, and put it in my pocket. But Ishook hands with him most warmly, none the less. . . . 

FOOTNOTE:

[A] (Those interested may find them later in the text. [B])

CHAPTER XLI

IN WHICH IS MUCH ROMANCE, AND SOME TREASURE, ALSO VERY MUCH HAPPINESS

We walked on slowly up the hill together, my friend Calvin Davidsonand myself, following the parti-colored group now passing out of sightbehind the shrubbery. At last we paused and sat down on one of themany seats that invited us. Around us, on the great lawn, were manytropic or half-tropic plants, and the native roses, still abloom. Yonder stood the old bronze sun-dial that I knew so well--I could haveread the inscription, _I Mark Only Pleasant Hours_; and I knew itspenciled shadow pointed to a high and glorious noon. . . . It seemed tome that Heaven had never made a more perfect place or a more perfectday; nor, that I am sure, was ever in the universe a world morebeautiful than this, more fit to swing in union with all the harmonyof the spheres. . . . I had fought so long, I had been so unhappy, haddoubted so much, had grown so sad, so misanthropic, that I trust Ishall be forgiven at this sudden joy I felt at hearing burst on myears--albeit a chorus of Edouard's mocking-birds hid in the oaks--allthe music of the spheres, soul-shaking, a thing of joy andreverence. . . . So I spoke but little. 

"But I say, old man, " began Davidson presently, "it's all right for ajoke, but my word! it was an awfully big one, and an awfully riskyone, too, --your stealing your own yacht from me! I didn't think it ofyou. You not only broke up my boat party--you see, Sally was going ondown with us from Natchez--Miss Emory said she'd be glad to have hercome, and of course she and Mrs. Daniver made it proper, all right--Isay, you not only busted that all up, but by not sending a fellow theleast word of what you were going to do, you got those sillynewspapers crazy, from New Orleans to New York--why, you're famous, that is, notorious! But so is Miss Emory, that's the worst of it. Idon't just fancy she'll just fancy some of those pictures, or some ofthose stories. Least you can do now is to marry Helena and the oldgirl, too, right off!"

"In part, that is good advice, " said I. "I wish I could wear yourclothes, Cal--but I remember now that Edouard and I can wear the sameclothes, and have, many a time. "

"But I say, don't be so hoggish. There's other people in the worldbeside you--_you'd_ never have thought of making that river cruise, now would you?"

"No. "

"Nor you couldn't have got Helena aboard the boat if you had, nowcould you?"

"No. "

"Let alone the old girl, her revered aunt!" He dug another thumb intohis own pink striped waistcoat. "She loves you a lot, I am not of theimpression!"

"No, I think she rather favored you!" I replied gravely. 

"No chance! And I say, isn't Sally a humdinger? Just the sort forme--something doing every minute. And a fellow can always tell justwhat she's thinkin'----"

"I'm not right sure, Cal, whether that's safe to say of any woman, "said I. "A ship on the sea, or a serpent on a rock has--to use yourown quaint manner of speech, my friend--so to speak, nothing on theway of a maid with a man. But go on. I do congratulate you. Do youknow, old man, I almost thought, once--a good while ago--that you werejust a little--that is--_épris_ of Helena your own self?"

"Come again? 'Apree'--what's that?"

"--Gone on her. "

"Oh, not at all, not at all--not in the least! Why, I can't see whatin the world--oh, well of course, you know, she's _fine_; but what Imean is, why--there was Sally, you know. Say, do you know why I wantedto get Sally away on that boat?--I was afraid you'd cut in somewhere, run across her down at Mardi Gras, or something. And I just _figured_, once you got a girl on a boat that way, away from all the otherfellows, you know, why even a plain chap like me would have a chance, do you see? And I say now, I'll own it up--I was right down _jealous_of _you_, too! Wasn't it silly? And I ask your pardon. You're anawfully good sort, Harry, though you're so d----d serious--you get toomuch in earnest, take things too hard, you know. Will you shake handswith me, knowing what a fool I've been? I say, you're the best chap inthe world, old man--if only you were a little more _human_ once in awhile. "

He put out his hand and I met it. "Will you shake hands with me, Cal?"said I, "on precisely those same terms about having been an awfulfool? It's you who are the best chap in the world. And I'll admitit--I was jealous of you!"

He roared at this. "Well, " said he, "as George Cohan says, 'All's wellthat ends well', and I guess we couldn't beat this for a championshipyear, now could we? Now say, about Dingleheimer----"

"Oh, hang Dingleheimer, Cal!" I exclaimed. "What I want to know is, did you ever talk any to Miss Emory about--well, about me, youknow?--say anything about my affairs, or anything, you know? I meanwhile you were there on the boat together. "

"No. She wouldn't let me. Besides, the truth is, I was so full ofSally all the time, I mostly talked about _her_. By Jove! that was ameasly trick you played us, running off with the boat from under mynose! But I proposed to Sally in Natchez that night, and she came ondown to the city the next day by rail--while _I_ ran down in thatdirty little scow you left behind. And I never tumbled for days thatit was _you_ had run off with the boat--though I found a photo ofHelena and your cigarette case in the boat you left. Never tumbledtill that story of the taxi driver came out. Then I said, 'Well, ofall things! Wonder if that old stick has really come to life afterall!' And you sure had! What's in _your_ letter? Say, ain't a boat theplace----"

"But how did you happen to be here?"

"Oh, I've known Ed Manning years, in New York, Paris, all around. Heasked me to visit him some time. I wired and asked him if I could comeout for our honeymoon--you know, Harry, I'm such a d----d romantic sonof a gun, and once before I was out here at Ed's, and those d----dnightingales, catbirds, what d'ye call 'ems----"

"--Mockers. "

"Yes, mockers, they sung so sweet, especial in the evenings, youknow--and I'm so d----d romantic--_always_ was thataway--and you know, why, a fellow _can_ be romantic on his honeymoon, can't he?--he canjust cut loose then an' be as big a d--n fool as he likes then--an'get away with it, what? Say, can't he?"

--"Yes. "

--"So that's why I came. "

--"But--honeymoon? Are you going to be married?"

--"Naw! I ain't goin' to be married--I _am_ married! Day beforeyesterday, in New Orleans. And I don't believe in dandlin' an' foolin'around about a little thing like that. Ain't you married yet?"

"No. Impossible. No preacher on Côte Blanche Bay or on our boat. I'vegot Aunt Lucinda Daniver along, to take care of the proprieties. If Ishould leave it to her, I never would be married. "

"Why?"

"She thinks I'm broke. "

"Yes, too bad about that! I wish I could swap bank rolls with you. Whydidn't you tell her the truth--and Helena, too? Why didn't you tell'em it was your own yacht? Why didn't you tell 'em you're worth a fewmillions and don't have to work?"

"I don't know--maybe I'm like you, Cal, foolish about nightingales andthings. But tell me--you never did tell them anything about that SallyM. Mine business, did you?"

"No, I should say not! Didn't you tell me you didn't want it to getout? It was bad enough, the way old Dan and your--sainted fatherhanded it to each other over that mine, wasn't it? I know about it, for I promoted that mine myself, and the name'll prove that--Sally M. Byington, with the Byington left off! There wasn't a blasted thing init then. But when you--like a blame quixotic fool--after she was goodfor six thousand a month velvet, and ore blocked out to last athousand years--why, then you fool around in Papa's records, and thinkPapa wasn't on the square with old Dan. So on the quiet you get it allmade over, back to old Dan's daughter; and take a sneak into thehazelbrush when she turns you down! Say, you know what _I'd_ a-done?"

"No. "

--"I'd a-held on to the mine and told the girl how much it wasbringin' in--that's _my_ system. Then I'd a-got the mine and the girlboth, maybe!"

--"Maybe. "

"Well, that's the system I'd a-played. I wouldn't a-took to the tallgrass, me. "

"On the other hand, I played a system invented by myself and HenriL'Olonnois. "

"I never heard of him. Well, anyhow, you were rich enough to afford todo what you liked. But as to keeping it secret, you can't do that anylonger. Those newspaper fellows are the devil to get hold of things. Since all this stuff came out about you running away with your ownboat--I can see now why you did it, and I'm glad you did--why, yourwhole life history has been printed, including all that restitutionbusiness about the Sally M. Fellows came to me and asked me about you, asked if I knew you. Said, yes, I knew you--said you were a romanticchap, and a good business man, too--and the best old scout in theworld--what?"

I had arisen, and stood in some doubt. "What's the matter--let's goon up to the house. I want to see Sally, " he concluded. 

"And I want very much to see Helena, " said I. "Only, it's going to berather harder now to meet her--and Mrs. Daniver. "

"Well, I don't know, " said Cal Davidson; "every fellow plays his ownsystem. There's something in what you say about women having a goodpoker face so far as tellin' what they think about a man isconcerned--yes. Frinstance, how much did Helena know I knew, or knowyou knew or thought you knew--well, you get me? But the trouble withyou is, you ain't romantic in your temperament like me. . . . But if Iwas you, I wouldn't be scared to tell Mrs. Daniver I had a dollar anda quarter or so left! It'll soften the blow some to her, maybe. And asfor Helena----"

"And as for Helena, I can look her in the face, and she can me, now. And--will you telephone to New Iberia for a minister--at once--forthis evening train? And will you tell Edouard to have his man lay outhis best evening clothes for me--tell him I'll trade him these of mycook's for them--and a suit of traveling clothes? Because, oh! fellowvarlet----" (I paused here; we both did; for a mocker just now brokeinto an extraordinary burst of song, so sweet, so throbbingly sweet, that we could not help but listen, both of us being lovers). . . . 

"What were you saying, old man?" Cal Davidson asked after a while, musingly, as one awakening. . . . "Some bird, what?"

. . . "Because, to-night, " I answered, "I am going to marry my faircaptive, yon heartless jade, Helena. I've loved her always, rich orpoor, and she loves me, rich or poor. And we shall live happy everafter. And may God bless us, and all true lovers!"

"Amen!" I heard some one say; and have often wondered whether it wasyon varlet, the mocking-bird, or Cal Davidson himself, who spoke. . . . Ilooked around for Partial. He had followed Helena. 

FOOTNOTE:

[B] (The words in Helena's note, addressed to Henry Francis Drake, Esquire, were, as I have said, but two: "Yes--Now". That was why I wasmarried that evening. It was curious about the wedding ring, for thatI would not borrow; so an old negro blacksmith took a gold ringEdouard gave me, one found years ago by a Cajun treasure hunter insome one of the few successful hunts for the treasure of Jean Lafitte;and into this, in place of the gem long since missing, he clasped mypearl, the one we got on the river far in the north; the great pearllater known as the largest and most brilliant ever found in freshwater. It was I who named it the "_Belle Helène_". So that our ringpleased all but L'Olonnois and Jean Lafitte. These two pirates had setat work that very afternoon, with 'Polyte (by Edouard's consent) anddug behind the smoke-house. Wonderful enough, they did find oldbricks, enclosing a sort of hollow cavity, bricks of an ancient day;and though they got nothing else ('Polyte said he knew who had beatenthem to this treasure--it was Achilles Dufrayne of Calcasieu, cursehim!) they both explained how easy it would be to deceive the faircaptive into thinking we really had found the ring's setting as wellas the ring itself, in a pirate treasure-box. I would not do that, onthe ground that already I had deceived the fair captive quiteenough. . . . But, though yon varlet, my friend dear old Cal Davidson, spoke rather freely about his honeymoon, and all that, I can not do soof mine with Helena. . . . I did not know that I could again be so happy. Often I have wished I were a romantic man, like dear old Cal. . . . Ifear my book on the mosquitoes of North America never will be writtennow. --H. F. D. )

THE END

Transcriber's Note

Minor typographic errors in spelling and punctuation have beencorrected without note. 

The Table of Contents has been made consistent with the chapterheaders, as follows--"In Which I Have a Polite Conversation" amendedto "In Which I Have Polite Conversation"; "In Which Is CertainConversation" amended to "In Which Is Certain Polite Conversation". 

This book contains some archaic spelling, and some dialect; this isall reproduced here as in the original. 

Illustrations have been moved slightly so that they are not in themiddle of a paragraph. The frontispiece illustration has been moved tofollow the title page.