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Full Title
Kidnapped Dick; or, the Fate of the Firefly. A tale of 1781 / by J. Stanley Henderson.
Author
Henderson, J. Stanley.
Date Added
9 January 2014
Format
Journal
Language
English
Publish Date
1887-04-23
Publisher
New York : Beadle and Adams
Series
Beadle's Boys Library of Sport, Story, and Adventure > v. XIII, no. 158
Source
Dime Novel and Popular Literature
Alternate Title
Beadle's Boys Library of Sport, Story, and Adventure, v. XIII, no. 158, April 23, 1887. Fate of the Firefly
Topic
Dime novels > Specimens.
About
More Details Permanent Link
Disclaimers
Disclaimer of Liability Disclaimer of Endorsement
OCR
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of Providence if we peaceable people didn’t take
our chances.” , :
“Dat’s de kind of morals for me, Malachi;
but you mus’n’t turn it against me. Take all
odder people’s money, but don’t take mine, for a
Dutch bear can bite.”
**’You don’t mean to say, cap’n—”
‘¢ Don’t mean to say not’ing—not’ing. I wants
_ to know how we shall make money wid dis boy.
De side dat paid is far away, and de odder side
—we don’t know where he is.”
‘‘There’s no tellin’ what may happen, and
we'd better keep the keards in our hands, by
knowin’ where we can lay our hands on the
chap if we should want him. That’s all we have
got to look after now, except to get in a cargo
of blacks, and then make sail for Jamaiky,
where we can sell the niggers, and bring back a
cargo of rum for the red-coats.”
' Joost so, Malachi; dat’s what we coom for,
«and de sooner John Van Vorst shows his figure-
', head the better for us.”
~ “Ye won’t have to wait long. for him, com-
» Yrades,” said a deep voice, which startled all the
group, and a tall man stepped suddenly out
from the darkness and stood by the fire.
The new-comer was not only tall, but power-
fully built, and a life of activity and exposure
had hardened his frame until his qualities of
strength and endurance were developed to the
fullest extent. The streaks of gray in his wiry
’ black hair, and the seams and wrinkles in his
' rugged cheeks, showed that he had passed the
middle age of man; but his flashing dark eyes,
® his firm-set lips, and the expression of determi-
. nation in his countenance, gave evidence that he
still retained the tire, the energy, and the fear-
less resolution of youth. He was dressed ina
‘faded red coat, like those of the British soldiers,
. tattered nether clothes of homespun, a fur cap,
‘and moccasins. In his right hand he carried a
, musket, a heavy saber was hung at- his left
side, and a pair of large pistols were stuck in his
e ,
ee
sey oh
- _ “Here you are, John Van Vorst,” exclaimed
: Petrikin, bouncing up from his seat. ‘ Speak
of der infernal Satan, and heis just at hand!
sake a swig of this stout Holland, my man, and
“tall us what scrape you are in now.” :
. “Glad to see you,” said Malachi Slicker, as he
carefully gut up his knife and extended his
‘Calculate you’ve come to dicker about
‘he niggers that you promised us.”
-- “Tam right glad to meet you both,” re-
lied Van Vorst. ‘*I hope you bear about your
tout body as bravely as ever, my bully Dutch-
an, You, Malachi, are as thin and bony as
; yne of your salt-water herrings, but I am will- |.
ag to swear that you haven't forgotten how to
» {the best of a bargain, or to finger a crown-
Pll not have a word to say to either of
te until I have something to cat and to
ink.
““Try the Hollands, Van Vorst,” said Jants.
Tis right goot Nantz, as pure and honest as if
.® Firefly herself had- brought it from de
cayder Zee.”
_ TU be sworn that it has learned no honesty
ro it has been in your company; but I won't
,.éin the mouth of the horse that bears me
7, Pass me the jug, comrade.”
‘hip
The negro placed his rashers of bacon on son.c
broad leaves, and set them before the group,
flanked by roasted potatoes and hard crackers,
the jug of liquor. occupying an important posi-
tion on the grassy table.. The four white men
then proceeded to satisfy their-appetites, wash-
ing down the bread and meat. with copious
draughts of Hollands.
‘* And so you want to know what scrape Jam
in now,” commenced Van Vorst, as he lighted a _
pipe. ‘‘ None, Ican tell you, except such as you
are in equally with me. Ihave been down toward
Savannah, and was scouting along the coast,
when I heard that the Firefly was at the mouth
of the river, and then I came up here to meet
you. Wehave had some hard work and close
hiding lately, for the rebels have been making
head again in this district.” '
‘How does it affect you?” asked Malachi,
‘wether the patriots or the red-coats get the
upper-hand?” . :
* Just this way—that they are at home to de-.
fend their houses and. their property, and that
they can spare time to hunt down us free-fighters
who travel with a roving commission, Ihave -
been going about with my life in my hand, and
have lost several of my bestmen. But that will
soon change, comrades, for Lord Rawdon means
to sweep the State, and his rough-riding troopers
will soon give a gocd account of themselves.
What have you brought for me this cruise?” -.
“What have you got for us?” inquired. _
Malachi. .
“ As L live, that is a true Connecticut way of
answering a. question, but I suppose I must put
up with your answers if expect you to put up
with mine. I have about sixty. black-cattle,
males, who are anxious to make a voyage to
Jamaica, and in no-hurry about returning.
They will bring a pretty sum, and we will
divide as usual, J would have had. more—as
many asthe Firefly could carry—but Captain
Jason, who is interested in most of them, has
been driven away by the rebels, and some of:
our plans were spoiled. If you mean to stay
here awhile, I can recruit another gang.”
“T want to get out of this nasty hole so soon
asI can,” muttered Petrikin. .
‘¢ Very well; you must take, then, such as you
can get. What have you brought for me?”
‘A boy,” answered the Yankee.
‘A what?” ‘ ‘
“ Joost a younker,” grunted Jants. ;
“ Are you laughing at me, comrades? I tell
you that Jobn Van Vorst does not allow himself
to be laughed at. What do you mean by a boy
and a younker?”
“ Perhaps this letter will explain it to you,”
said Malachi, handing the ranger .a sealed
package.
Van Vorst broke the seal, and read the letter
hastily. \
‘‘From Silas Warden,” he muttered. “It is a
long time since I have seen his. handwriting.
What cause of spite could he have against any
British officer, that should make him rob his
enemy, of his only son, But that is no affair of
mine, as he truly says, provided Iam well paid
for my services, and I shall be well paid.. ‘Yes,
comrades; ho speaks of having sent some money . >
with the boy.”
2
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