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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
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Disclaimers
Disclaimer of Liability Disclaimer of Endorsement
OCR
Kidnapped Dick. : 7 . ie 9.
_ You must have heard of the Coosaw Rang-
ers, as there are few in these parts who have not.”
““T have heard of them, and have never heard
- a good word spoken of them. - May God deliver
his Majesty’s cause from such loyalists! You,
I suppose, are the ruffian who is called John Van
Vorst.” -
“The same, at your service, with thanks for
your compliment; and now I want you to order
your slaves to come out here that I may inspect
them,”
‘Why do you wish to inspect my servants?”
asked the widow, who well knew the man’s ob-
ject, though she had not previously received a
similar visitation.
‘* For reasons of my own, madam, as you will
shortly see. I-have‘a fine plantation in the
island of Jamaica, where negroes are sorely
needed, and Iam compelled to ask you to loan
me a few good working hands.”
‘“‘Tf you mean to steal my servants I am un-
able to prevent it; but you must call them to-
gether yourself. If I tad known you were com-
ing, I would have armed them, and they would
have fought you for their liberty.”
‘t It would have been safer to hide them in the
swamp, madam; but you could not have known
of my coming, as I never take the trouble to in-
form people of my movements. I take the prop-
erty to keep it from falling into the hands of
your son, who is a rebel, I believe.”
_“Tf he catches you, you will soon find out
what heis. As for me, I am known to bea
loyalist, and as such have been assured by his
ajesty’s officers tbat I shall be protected.”
‘“ You may consider it a very convenient thing
to have a two-sided family:-but you can not
play that game with me, my lady.”
‘“*Tf Major Coningsby was here, you would be
punished for your insolence. He has gone but a
short distance, and will soon return,”
“T must laugh at you, madam, because you
seem to think me so simple. I happen to know
that the major was surprised here by. Harry
Forrest, and that he has gone to the Combahee
on a wild goose chase, to meet an attack that
nobody thinks of making. -I have timed my
movements to suit his, and I am sure that you
need not expect him here before to-morrow
morning.”
- While their leader was talking, the rangers
had sought out the negroes, who had in vain
attempted to escape, and to hide, and had col-
lected a number of them in front of the door.
Van Vorst selected a dozen of the most likely
men, who were bound and marched off on foot,
guarded by the mounted marauders,
As John Van Vorst turned to leave, he
glanced at Kate Swinton, with an expression in
which admiration was mingled with bitterness.
‘‘You are much prettier than any picture
could be, young lady,” said he, “* but you must
remember that you are Frank Swinton’s sister.
IT have an account to settle with that young
rebel, and you had better tell him to leave mo
-alone, for I know how to strike him where it
will hurt.” .
**T do remember that I am Frank Swinton’s
sister,” indignantly replied Kate, “Sand he has
_taught me how to defend myself against such
ruffiansas you, and to despise their threats,”
**'You had better do as I tell you, or you may
look out for yourself when I come again,” said
Van Vorst, with a sardonic smile, as he rode
away. “
Mrs. Swinton gave vent to her indignation
when the marauders had gone. a
**] shall report the scoundrels to Major Con-
ingsby,” said she, ‘and he must bring them to
punishment, or I will know the reason why it is
not done.” woe oss
‘*Did you notice that fine little boy who was
riding with them?’ asked Kate. ‘' He was one
of the prettiest fellows I have ever seen. - I won-
der where they got him, for it cannot be that he . .
Itis _~
is the son of that villainous Van Vorst.” -
**T suppose they have stolen him, child.
not possible that he really belongs to them.” .
Little Dick, unaware of the interest that the
fair Kate had taken in him, was riding along
contentedly by the side of John Van Vorst, be-
hind the gang of slaves and their guards. He~
had not been allowed to alight from his pony at
Mrs. Swinton’s,cr he would have heard the ~
name of Major Coningsby mentioned, which
might have made a change in the lives of him-
self and his temporary protector. He had not
heard it, and did not know that he had been
almost on the threshold of the house where his
father had so lately been a guest. Neither could
the ladies, who had but a short time before wit-
nessed the agony of the bereaved father, know
that the handsome Jad who had attracted their
attention was the son for whose loss he was
mourning.
Van Vorst had known that Major Coningsby
was in command of the British squadron, and
had guessed that he was related to his young
charge; but the name of the officer, when spoken
by Mrs. Swinton had startled him, and had set
him to thinking, so’ that he was quite silent and
moody during the ride, until roused by the-
persistent questions of Dick.
‘*Why did you speak so cross to that beauti- °
ful lady?” inquired the boy.
‘Because I wanted to frighten her, Dick, and
through her to frighten her brother, who is
Harry Forrest’s lieutenant, and who has done .
me much damage.”
Do you mean to hurt her?” — :
*“‘Tecan’t be certain about that, my boy. If -
Frank Swinton continues to molest me, I will |
be revenged on him in some way.”
**1f you lay hands on his sister, you will make
me angry, and perhaps I will shoot you!”
‘““ Highty tighty! How bravely the young
chicken crows! I shall have to be careful about
what I do when you are near me, Lieutenant
Dicky." :
‘““Why did you take the old lady’s slaves?
What quarrel have you with her?”
“None atall. Itis nother that I war with
in particular, but all_ mankind. I took the -
slaves because I wanted them, not because they
were hers—because I can get money by selling
them.”
“T thought you were fighting . for
George.” ‘- .
“ Andsolam, my boy, after a fashion; but.
Tam more for John Van Vorst than for either
king or Congress. It makes little difference to
‘King
me which side IT am on, I would have been
J