Rensselaer Union, Volume 2, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 May 1870 — TOM CRAB: OR An Old Salt, Afloat and Ashore. [ARTICLE]

TOM CRAB: OR An Old Salt, Afloat and Ashore.

By GUS. COMSTOCK.

(Soma tTj.au cuLt CHATTBa L ■ Dave trota sle't,ltk«tt<ahr«ffaer«im of iblMtn the ikjr, came the enr oi “ Sail OI” tie who uttered It-,, teU iwerth r MDow, »t-o<l h-ndlnj torw.rd from th» math top aall.Dt meat. bU itiVwonmtSi* ” ■ ,w,r,n * * 1 »W VVP t“ —the eltuetloo, ten lea.uca or to north out of t-e Anji-e or Wetter xilUaiU- ■ Where »w«, Tvimr' Shouted Captain Pand, through til* trumpet • Two d laU .oftit Uie w«-tber boftm, ab*ut two mUai off; there In the ad re of the for," Ihe tatpper too hft-i hi. rlftte to lilli eye. L * She l. under fuU aall and hearing dawn upon u» l H he ftalp to hta ftiftte; “ft praA low Iu Uie water, and a achooaer. I eheuld thtnk, although he mlii la ao thlAthe e-ftway, that I oai.'t mate out dlftt nelly ” “ will you let me look through your rlaae?" tmtu red e deep, manly voice—wh«n turning, the Oeptald con lron.ed hie bard Merton—e young man, an Amarti an, who wlh ul. alater. had latai puaage for home la thl* veaeifl. A hand.omee fellow then Richard could acerecly be Imagined. He waa tall awl broad abouldered, with a deep: round chest, flrmty-Vntt nmb», good complexion; spirited brown eyes; dark, wary hair moustache, and noble wdV-eut features, eipreealye of mingled genUeoeaa and reaolutlon. To daaerlbe hta alater. who now stood by hts aide, were a more difllcult task. In her, a look of cblld-ilke tru»t and confidence was charmingly blended With the sweet dignity of early Her hwtr, of a dartt cheatnutcolor,tell In wavy maaaea to IWr shoulders . her eyee, large, and of a roll brow n, at times reminded one oMliose of aOarelle, seeking protection from some .wolf, while at other period* they beamed vnth the deep, thoughtful, trnenng expression of a vouug madlrn confident of security.' W Ith such feature!, rugular. vet full olever-varying expression, with the rounded graces of a supple, magnit dent form, ala rivaled the Vtbut dr Me,lid, end might have stirred the heart of an apchorlte. WUtcMng her brother as he looked throu h the captain's glaas, Grace a s ton the* nollced thatheaa d sometnlng, In a low voice, to the captain. “ Ay, ay. sir,” answered thejatter, “ I perceived It, but I didn't Uke, do you set, to apeak oflt before the young lady." The worda wore too low for Grace to hear, bnt acooatomed woman-11 kr,tof.tndy the expression of facet, aha at once dl vine, l that sometnlng was wrong. _ Nuw her curiosity was aroused, and she would give Jler brother no peace until at IMt she drew 11-ofn hlftr the feet Wat the stranger had a nurifidous look, and was, douotlesmu French privateer mpirate! As France adi England were then at war, the crew could expact no quarter Iron their fpes,lfpWArex. wSXSS c»S imic pounders, wliUe the captam and crew were brave men, and R ohard Merton, having hag sxpe; teuca In the American Navgas a salltng mastßr.couM materially assist In defence of the ehijf >qn the other hawk.(he Frenchman prob-bly bad good gnus aboard, and could If lie wished, and got near enough to the EngUah orsft, sink her with a few Captain Band reeo'ved to keep far enough off, If possible, to avoid such a eat ,strophe, which, however, he did not muon fear, aa the Henchman, if a fraebooter would wish to board and gotpojse-sloaofhls cargo. . ,By* ay C exclaimed tile mast-header, who had sighted the stranger, bnt who was how on deck, “ bad bfzn eae, shipmates I don't Uke thaidea of fightln' them Frencherg, as they did u» good sarvlce in the revolution."

“Now, lookee here. Tom Crab!” exclaimed tba eaptaln, who, being amiaili pa, had heaid wliat be said, •• voe’re a Yaakee 1 know; but Meat me if I won’t run yo* through If you back flown when the fighting ■*tiit>taln 1” answered Ctab, drawing Up Ills long, 'serpentine hody to Its full height,“yon mlpht run me through and throngh. but I wouldn't lift a band against them eh «ps unless! < hoo-edt” The lond voices drew Merton to the spot. “What la the trouble?” " Tula man «»ys he won't fight," answered Baud, quivering with rage. "The tact la Just here." answered Crab thrusting his eyes opart kkO. a pair of compasses; “If them chaps la litrateH, ril fight. But tr they ain’t nothin’ but cruisers agin tho English dag I doh'tllft a hand " ; IMfe to me, your captain!” roared Band. /Iftavc him tome,” said Morton. “ You're an American :>’"thrnlng to Crab. “I guess you are one too, ain't ye?” “Uui." “Bo am I iTotnOrab, of Sag Harbor, st your aarhe 18 Up wait thn French flag at'har gaff—above that a v«sel < a lo ira?c ,te<i 0,6 neit momlint ' proclaimed the “All tiglit!” cried Crab, bncklliig his belt around Ms waist, " that detaruMnes |ne. I m always ready to fight Rein ontlawß ! ,r MertOß went forward and attended tb tbe pointing nln» -pounders, vliich, being. weR almect» broukbt doirn, when discharged, the Frenchman*® fort topsail yard by the rnn. n °' r hap,nS ‘° e9C “ Pe - Mebfiwhilc, Grace Merton, tn thi? cabin, whither she had been conducted by her brother, was npon her ueee, her face bowed oR hir I anils, silently praying. A ttrrific crash suddenly broaght her to her f et„ just as a Jurgc iplinter flfw PRsther head, andstrlking R Hl' rror * snattered tlie class to fragments.Tli© itfFsEcn mastfcadoeen strode and In t knocked *> piece*; ti*e wreck isy aiong side, dragging the v«avsptsln an ax, sprang to clear It, when another hall from the enemy carried his head off hta shculdera “An iinforthnate clrrutestance!” said Tom Crab, coolly, aa,Dicking up the ax, hedwhed irft and proclear Ihe wreck. The Frenchman now whs booming ftlontr, as if in-* tending to strike the vessel amidships, her booms and shrouds alive jvlth fl«xcelooking fellows, armed to the teeth and cheering after the usual manner of French- 4 "Before the wfeck*could be oleared the Frencti ves sel came alongside luffliig up, with hfr canvas rattling, when sonv» slaty boarders sprung abo-*fd. A despo at,/ combat now took place, as the FrenChra£n rushatfop m their fees, shouting 44 no quarter.’* v. T l*? FhkUahinaa’s crew, thirty lu number, headed by_M‘fton and the mate/J ugnllikelions. The ower party were led by a yoprg man of singo - lar beauty, laucifully att’rifl, and by another, a tall felow, aiitfoß4as oark as a Malay., Many men Tel! On both 'Vdes. The Englishmen fought w.th their usual dogged resolution, their grim faces exp .esslve of the utmost contempt for tneir aCmonstmttreJOes: it^^^bWßffl.vssss&a? s&s and was about flrlvfn fa (fir* In the Back of hts neck, when Tam tlxab, with enas'aah of the huge cu’luss hashed been wielding, cut off the Utile Frenchman’s On, after another, the Merchantman’s brave cr-xr fi ll to the deck, ao that there at length remained bnt * and Torn Crib. ifce boarding party, it j:»^b^°ffio» Bl cr ‘ b ’ cooU, There wan no answer. m ; ;.t ar- * Whatever you do to us you wlu at least be merclfhlto my dfeter,” .aid Mefton. ihe younger leader of the.outlaws looked at the o#Fe(fa}to #b ia? rm *° VT he said,ln a volei b e moved into ttc eab.u. followed by hia taller companion; who soon after reappeared. “ Beforethe btherpart of the ant goea down, you must all tratk the flank . . W“ Ana soy stster?" seta Merton. ‘‘Yon wfU spake her and enable her to safety reach home 1" rwe- will spare her," answered the younger of. (he Then*he drew the taller man aside, and held a con-’ versat'pn with him,during whhtti he apokafo a p’eadlng voice. . --'Ttie other; however; soon broke away. “Thsggn ts down—prepore /hr death .”’ • ' '

if'ill. CHAPTER 11. UHroKrtwar* Wretches I SpUshl splash! splash!-one after the other, all had wa-ked ovefboafd, to go down In he dark waters, except Merton and Tom Crab. The former, cijnduotedtp the edge of the planking. Vis aboot to suffer the Bte of his companbns, when theypunjt captain sprang lotwsrd, and with one vigorous puih. sent thepJsnk over into the water. Ths talier'mftn uttered a cry Of ragd, but ths other ,tmag upon- Us spa, pleadtnv lft Ms nattVe tongue. ■ ** Americans r”M cried, in English, as he glancedf at the prisoners. >. ■ “At row aarvlce,” answered Tom Crab, “hotWhat’s t’ e difference mto the i ooutry ts them what goes to Jabbrrjn t’other World?’ ■ ■ u At length the taller man seemed affected by bis companion's pleadings. S Yonr Hves an spared 1“ he said-” that lr- for ttte The two were condnctedlhto the cabin, where they found Grace, watched over by a guard. At slght-ef her brother, the beautiful creature, who heJdbo'th b w 4 e ,E! n tlwmM trM ott ‘ They went, however, not permitted to embrace. .Merton had not more than time to say an encouraging word to the young girl, when he was hurried, with Crab, Into an adjoining apartment, the door of which - 33lSESSfews# 2sL*sss« : Frenchman, after wbloh the Sfc Oeotge was acutUpd about noou. the.captured ones wars «v e S bansaisnd oiker trees that frintThe view was hesutlfnl. ‘ " , , naon Ithls’peak Merton's keen eye detected -wliht appeared In the distance to be the ruins of a tower, fflSßfiSWga*** r^*Reitutiral!” involuptarily%Wft from the lii#e of ®^AT,Mififollidec'liir’ sAid amuslcU Vilcibbhind her, wfcen; turSlug, she beheld foe JWuiig ptrate cap He waaeVen more fabelfnlly arrayed, fhan on’ the rttay before. ur , ' “ Yfs.V h« kpolUvl ’«&T«Sb^S»*ard He set Us white V-ots together as he said this, and his eyes seemed to flash lightning. '* „ The tall, dark man who has been spoken, of, Egw made hl s app«*paoafs«li Siaww* wlyrahobad As it This te my First liMteaant, Lemuel Fravo.” sai d ijeSSßiipv^i “To begin. 1 will take some ctes ashore at oaoa, aad tn > vent your leaving the Islsnd-' wP e JTT. Z Soon tha threeperioßatOsesls-tfcS tWht, which teas. rß| p!ia yfe < hafl'li?4 fiyted ywre found to h 4 two la number, au* built odSam .houghs, and leaves,tn«uqh»wuanera« tokeep off the rala amt ‘““race’s habitation trim especially comfortable. In add-on to a neat carpet ofmatUng, then teen say-

eral chair*, a im.ll t.bls, tad tome bo k* la French ■nr &*!£»'%£» SS^S* » .llemelevatlon, sortoanitod Irealli ok grove of tree*. said Murao.«« he turned to donut. “I hope Ton muniiujoarwlvracomfortable.' 1 At ho ■W'kof.t strain of peculiar matlo came dotting throngWth* air. “Oo,Te*”at« mo.iei.nsnn the latondj l " uhl M*rtoo. while the eoft eye* of Grace beamed with doanswered Marean. gently, “and I hope It may help aoothe your ala vr In hat trouble* 1" “Ittorana to eowiefrom t.M. direction," raid Merton. pointing toward* the rulna upon the mountain ,0 ® Yea the Derk Lady*! mlnetrela are at their work I” And WbO la the park tidy ?" tnnntred Merton. “Sheiteonr propfceteea” replod Me,***, "a*raneo being, who hei made a aolemn tow to remain alngle all h-r lin, from a peculiar AMltea aha take* to the otlier aex. She tro m»n. except ner brother, who now atanaa before yon. lam he. Oth re have etiemptad to jp*. to her but their temerity hai Oort them their Mareau frowned, bat enooenterlrr the eon glance of vira -e Merton, he controned himself, end turning, mo red away. •• 1 ahall prom thla matter," eald Merton to Crab, aft rGrae* had retired tn her apartment “I ahall pay a ylelt to thoae ruin* thla vqry night. It all aptmd* like a fairy tale, which 1 ahao’t biueve until I tea It with my own eyea." “ I’ll go with ye," laid crab, alapplng hi* knee empha't ally, “eedn' u your ttnt&nenlt t* mine exaot y-' Already the glrame of the eettlag nan V( re ahooUng thrnahthe trere. *.* Will you be afraid to remain here alone for a little while ?" Merton Inquired of hla allter, “ On. no P ahe eeawered, tiaatdy: “lam cone dent that he—l mean'hatyoung captain—will allow nothlag to moleet me. But wlla-efbre do ton a-k ?" Soaroly hid the moon rUen, when, followed by .Crab, the > onng man eet ont upon hit expedition. waa thickly entered hy a growth of cedar* and other tree*, wlileb protruded In crooked, fadtaetle ahapea from the er vice* In the rock*. “ S’lOte there'* an eaa'er way to git up, round on t’other aide," anggeitod <rab, “but I gnere that'* guarded, wherefoie we’d b at commence climbin' up «■ re. 1 * “S > I think. Here, pleaie allow me to take the lead.' , So saying, the young man commenced the aecent, which was found to be more pe lloua even than »nlMpated. J uat a* they reached the foot or the wall, however, a strange muffled rosr wa* beard, afid the l ead of a Meson. looking person wa* thrust above the ramflat he«d, with ft huge mouth, great < 1* I shftpeft ftftrs, large w eth, and a ferehc ad disfigured by an ttfly acar. *‘ Away, or you’re dead men!” came from the head, In deep, gutteral tone*. * Throw n* a rope, your eye*!” exclaimed Crab —“ Co .AT lively there!” M Banal” went ft pistol, the ball pawing within an lreh of the speakers temple. The tramp of hasty t'eet waa heard, a concealed door In the wall was flung open, torches flashed, ft'id the nexr moment the two men were surrounded hy a dozen fine looking fellows, holding cutlasses pointed at their hearts. . . ■ CHAPTER 111. BrDtns3r as was the appearance of the fierce band, yat Mer.on—a mun accustomed, under all circum* stances, to preserve his compo*”fe—quietly glanced around him, showing no sign of fear. M Yoil must die l 1 ’ said one, a fellow with a squrtre shaped face, matted hair, and a hideous scaY upon Ms rlsbt ciicek; ‘?we allow no strangers to invade the grounds of our dark lady.” * “ i am in yonr sal i Merton, “ that Is rlßn. and you can kill me Jf you like. Unit however. I should like the satisfaction of seeing this dark lady, •who, J m *st acknowledge, has Inspired me with great cu’lostty*” ** Ah, ay I” exclaimed Cr&h. “ fl-st let us get ft squint at her, and blast me. if I won’t be at your iwrvlce all the rest of mr days.” Meanwhile there stood the men with- the eutl&Bß®. their wea'ons still pointed at the hearts of the Intruders. awaiting the ortkr of theft* captain to strike, •‘Totfare the two Americans,” said he to Merton. “We hav« heard of yon from the dark lady’s brother, Away wish them to the dungeon !*’ he added, motion* U g to the party. In a few minutes the prisoners Pound themselves in a small circular apartment, with stone walls, and a damp, earthy smell very disagreeable. ” Hope We ironH vet the fever’ n.ager!” exclaimed Cra tfua the men who had conducted them here.tufnetl and departed, closing and bolting the heavy iron door aft?r them, “ and I do nope we do get our allowance!” Me who wa3 busy inspecting the apartment, made no answer. He noticed'Bp iron door at the side Opposite that “which hip conductors had opened, and advanced to It, endeavoring to open it. This, however, he found an Impossible task,'as the door was evidently, strongly Becnred.on the other side. While he was endeavoring to open it, the tinkle of Innumerable silvery bells feeemea to reverberate through the halls above. ejaeijlated. Crab; ‘‘wonder where Half an hour had passed , when the door was opened, and slowly *tf)dUif Into the apactopont caine one whose apperfrtncd if wett description. This person was a woman-young and wonderfully, darkly beautiful—as the two men could perceive, in spite of a black band of pasteboard, or some other material* serving as a mask to the forehead. “Thisls the dSrk»ady ?” asked Merton. “ So I am called,” answered the other. “ I am amply repaid, then, for ah mv trouble,” answered Merton, ‘‘ although I must say that I had not dreamed! offing so lovely a beiftg Immured In these walls. The lady’s Up curled. “ Rath men. to venture upon Elfrlda’s grounds My brother warned you, dd l e not ?” . . . “Yes but I was rtetei mined to try to see you 1” answered Merton, ‘‘even though I should pengh In the attempt.” t ” You are sn American,” raid the lady, “othe wise you should pay for yonr tepaerity. It fa too late now tot send'you awav. Crime—foliow me." Accompanied by Crab, Merton walked after the dark lady, who led the two through a narrow corridor, and no w flight of steps, into a hall, thence into a comfortable apartment, with painted floor and oak furniture, amid which was a good bed. “Thla fa my brother’s apartment,” said Elfrida. “As he will not be here to-night, you may stay here until morning.” That night he slept hut little. Farly In the morning, he wakeato see the sun shining through the windows of the apartment, and to heftrtne loud snoring of Tom Arab, wh6. preferring the lounge to the bed, had stretched himself thereon, with his long legs dangling over oneend. The young man rose, dressed himself, and performed his ablutions Just as Crableft the lounge. A minute later the same servant who had brought the tray entered, followed by a coupler*men. • *?These men wifltake yon tb the tent where you came from,”, said the servant to Crab. •‘Ay.soMHyw none of thatH exclaimed Crtib. “I aoi)’t go without this chap goes withme 1” pointing at Merton. “Thdre is iio harm Intended him,” sald one of the men: “come, or must force you.” ‘‘Not a bit of It!” pxclatnmd Crab, picking up a silver fork, and standing at bay. “ I’ve got fat on till* ere cruise^ and ulaet'me IT I don’t see it through No. 133 of .THE FIRESIDE COMPAMQN. No. 109 fa 'no w ready, Anri Tor sale by ah newsdealers throughout thi United £tat<«.and Canada. Be sure OLD SALT, AFLOAT AMD ASHOan,’’ will be onnd there. - ‘ • those woo live at- a dletaace from * npwadeeder, and eaimoteasH* obtain tb* papers can hate THE ' FJREBIDE COMPANION, contaming the rest of TOM C SA BTHE OLD tALIvTiAfLOAT AMD. ASHORE, mailed to their address for lour months, by eendlne one d -Uar to OKOHGR MUIV&O, - ■ i“ STrcalde Companion ” Office, . . - v t 84 Berkman Wt„ M. Yvj