The Corsair King

ispa

hen they recognized his vessel and, after a desperate chase, gained the shelter of a harbor, he followed them, robbed them u

the marvelous tale

wooden house, whose front is covered with climbing vines, and whose windows are filled with

een foliage charms the traveler's eye as, coming from the interio

ived

containing three men was pulled to the sh

ger face; his complexion was bronzed by exposure to the weather and, as

ne who, after a long absence, again treads his nati

his white shirt collar turned over a loosely tied scarf; he was probably a young sailor who,

the doves were cooing, and the white cat purred in the doorway just as of yore. The new-

ung man's grandmother. With her were three girls-two were fair, th

o meet him, the grandmother, unable to leave her chair, only held out her arms, his bet

the little circle, a hundre

saw you last," said the grand

d his betrothed bride, layi

his youngest sister, clinging to her brother

he offing while the sailors are getti

sent from us?" asked the

st me; whenever I have thought I was approaching my goal, I was thrust back. Twice I have

r sister, "that means shipwr

ship

w often we have said that they might capture o

ng man

e utmost, they will rob me of my property, and you would re

never go," whispered

you to some great, beautiful city, where you can have pleasant society, where the sun cannot scorch

"Every enterprise must begin with God's favor, th

ng man

t me many praye

hem. We pray for

, in which we name all the good things we entreat God to grant you and all the evil ones from which we beseech h

ith a smile. "And why from R

is in league with the devil, and who either burns all whom h

Barthelemy never

him, too, in ou

yo

we entreat God to sink to the bottom of the sea the ho

our prayers?" asked the youth, embracing the girls in

William the song you compose

ng about me and the pir

withdrawing shyly from his embrace

ay the whit

rsuit the bl

is my lov

s the pira

etch forth T

over shield

e dove'

ck hawk

est let the w

ack hawk ben

unger sister. "You are the dove,

not one of whom suspected that the dear brother, the still d

sheltered his childhood, the gray-haired woman

rents of both speedily succumbed to the foreign climate, and the two families became united

old absorbed in watching some ship vanishing across the sea. He frequently met sailors who came on shore for fresh water, and heard of their won

ed him, renewing their farewell, how his affianced wife, forgetting her maidenly shyness, convulsively embraced him, covering his face with tears and kisses, sinking unconscious

was already on his way home with the wages he had saved, already saw in imagination the home, the f

prevailed. Knives already glittered at his throat, when the captain's

m to their leader. William looked at him

tones, "it's a pity that you became an ordinary sailor, you

William's lips, but he turned his head away in loathing.

tied to the main-mast when the sun is hottest? Or have you witnessed the jest of sewing a m

e me," William

im well, for we shall yet make a man of him. Since I turned pirate, this is the first

oping that it would encounter a strong

ppeared on the horizon, even when it was larger than their own, and always

d confidently for liberation. The foe had eighty guns and two hu

d, at the first fire, sent a red hot ball into the enemy's powder magazine. The vessel was inst

iam, as the pirates' shouts of victory echoed arou

rink from yo

n was

s, giving the youth a hearty slap on the

d, before the eyes of the whole ship's company, he

rned. He could not give his family a single shilling, though his ship was full of treasure. But it was all stolen propert

girls went with him to the shore and, while Julietta clung about his neck, the others

ou return?" a

an make y

sail the sea for my happiness, it could b

never outgrow the belief. But-in the hands o

girl shook

e which concealed the shore,

ilors, I do not wish them to disturb our parting.

tears, turned back, but Julietta still clung to

me wit

ed with a blanched face at the young girl, w

ing of? You would c

urage. I should be happy if I might share with you every peril, every privation, which you must now encount

adise opened before him. But at the portal of that Paradise stood an ang

oesn't she come to meet me?' they will lead you to a flowery mound and say: 'She waited long, waited until her hea

ed the lover, in a voice choked with angu

arms fell from her lover's neck, her b

gently on the grass, pressed a kiss on the colorless

s men; no tears glittered in his eyes, which now flashed fir

y glance and resolute movements all belied

nd. During his absence, their mood toward their leader had changed. Some one had gue

y, his eyes wandering from face to fa

t his hands into his pockets, puffed violent

, what has happened

aning with his back against a beam, "don't you know the pir

ry well. Do I

ighs, whoever loves, feels, and who

a woman dear, I may not be

hese stout fellows around you have neither father, mother, wife, nor sweetheart. Such men belong to the sea, men who, when tempests howl and bullets hiss, do not think of quiet homes and loving maidens. These flowers do not bloom for us. If a girl embraces and kisses you to-day, she will deceive and betray you to-morrow. Once we thought of bringing a ca

to prove it at once. Take heed. We shall meet to-night on the high seas a fleet of Portuguese merchant vessels-forty-two ships under the convoy of two well-equipped

at you'll conquer these for

and, in full view of the whole fleet and the men of war, t

Barthelemy's face, uncertain whe

elemy, "each one of us must cope with a hundred men, and each individual mus

after a long pause, "that

thing. And you want to teach me courage. Go! Let whoever fears to accompany me, quit the ship-we are near land-and return to his mother! If I am left with but thre

audacity of their leader. Barthelemy noted the effect of his spee

, I will lead you!' Would not you follow? If I should say: 'Let us declare war against half the world, sail up the Thames, and set fire to the Tower, I will

: "We'll go with you!" and stretched their han

favors the bold. The sea is our slave, the storm our playfe

elemy!" roared the whole band,

hands, were praying that God would bury in the depths of the ocean

equal distances from one another, appeared on the horizon. The wind was fair, the crews were sleeping quietly, the men watching f

, then steered straight toward one of the s

his hammock, when the mate entered a

commander, peevishly, d

th vigorous strokes to the Triton. No one seemed disturbed by their approach. On thei

rgent business. The cabin where he slept was pointed out, and

ngrily, leaning out of the hammock. To th

d, sir. I am Rob

ed no pistol at his breast, did not threaten him w

" asked the captain

answer to a single question: can you tell me whi

ch has the r

ship, and if you should make it compatible with honor to deceive me by false s

t the captain to terms and he promised to point out the vessel in question, especially as he fe

nd come with us,"

To your

ships. No excuses. I must have the best cargo, unle

rates, without daring to attract the attention of his own men, he followe

e fleet quietly witnessed the strange vessel's interc

el he desired, assuring him, on his word of honor, that it possessed the most valuable car

ntly turned and ste

ately ornamented prow, the shape of her decks, and her

opes, oars, or guns. Suddenly, when every eye was fixed upon the approaching ship, whose mate watched the craft with drowsy indifference, not feeling the slightest suspicion, the

ctedly that the pirates, in their surpr

y the captain's warning shout, and the pirates saw wi

ther, and all thought that insta

nfully around, and qu

rtuguese," he sai

ut taking correct aim, not even doing the rigging of the Sea Devil the slightest damage. The grappling irons of the latter were already flung on her foe, and the next instant the

gan to discharge their guns right and left, but without coming nearer, for they had no desire to mingle in the fray, and, in

ashing it to the Sea Devil, sailed off with

rding the fleet now appeared and

ar enough away, he suddenly turned, divided his crew between

re wondering what was to be the outcome of their clumsy man?uvres, they stopped the chase and

hey had found in the captured ship eight thousand gold coins, strings of oriental pearls sent b

d? No indeed, their custom was to drink till the last gold coin was squandered. Whoever laid aside his sha

e in the shortest possible time. On the sea men trembled before them, on shore they received them with open arms. There are doc

he fair neck of Her Majesty the Queen of Portugal clasped that of the Regent's wife; indeed there were gala entertainments from the halls of the governor's residence to the lowest hut, and the pirates went from one to another, h

ore had slipped through their fingers, the pirates went back to

ine which was approaching the coast. Towards ev

the two ships remain here under Lieutenant Kennedy's command, while forty picked m

y, and Simpson, and felt so sure of capturing the brigantine before morning that, contrary to

in the direction where they expected to find the brigantine. According t

, the brigantine was nowhere in sight. They tacked right an

discovered them and vanishe

e sailed the seas, constantly struggling with head winds and currents; on the eighth day his supply of provisions was exhausted and he w

ee days to reach the ships and the same time to return. S

wed in rivers, now, under the rays of a scorching sun, they

ask to seek land. They were almost dying of thirst when the raft returned; the men had reached the shore

was exhausted, the six days had expired, the boat had not returned, and the

esperate and b

hunger after fasting only three days. The world is going to ruin. Even p

roots, and then we got food from the go

on land?" asked Asphlant,

t does under yours when you go ashore; once, twenty of u

hat you ever cap

the governor found out how few of us there were i

urned whenc

ter us in a warship, while we had only two boats. He also sent along an

anaged to

d eight holes in her bottom. Ho! ho! how quickly she sunk, how the soldiers roared for help, splashed about in the water and held out their hands for aid. Then Olonais went back with the boats and wherever a soldier'

bold fellow, Moody.

he had a st

e was captur

h savages, he was wounded and taken pri

s to watch the approaching yawl, which they hailed with cheers, waving their caps aloft, whi

ace, and answered the questions poured upon him from all sides: "Have you rum, meat, biscuit?" with "Nothing,

re deceived, b

do you

intrusted to Kenne

ossi

them; at last we learned from some fisherman that, as soon as w

cheated pirates, with knives uplifted, vowed to inflict a th

hoarsely. "There is not a mom

ked Skyrme

arthelemy proudly, p

, without a mouthful of

oth. Woe to those we encounter

should meet no v

t; whoever draws the fatal lot will yield us his body for food, his blood for drink. We ar

they boldly steered toward the open sea, and that very day the

born defence they captured both vessels, from which the

ater, they saw on the horizon a Bristol vessel. The sloop instantly gave chase. The other tried to escape and the pirates pursued all day, crowding so muc

the faces of many plainly revealed their desire to co

k, where the crew awaited

ur captain?"

n, had gone below to his cabin, from which he was dra

eel. Lift him, that

he perceived that he would not be allowed to kneel on deck, he lifted up his feet

hip's cargo?" a

could not speak while he was held in such a way, and then, tremb

ball, and then ran down to the hold whence they speedily rolled up two or three iron-bound casks. The poor c

rates, noticing his fear, broke down the door, behind which was carefully hidden a supply of t

The pirates found large coops filled with pheasants and Calcutta hens, which had been fed

he capons. Scudamore gleefully beheaded the squawking fowl, each one of which the Bristol captain seemed to mourn, and when he had dispatched the last, he suddenly se

o follow!" said the doct

fowl up clumsily, lacking the help of Scudamore, who swore by all

ge copper kettles, white pepper and cod-fish were

d the English captain, "To c

d to take his seat among them and share the meal, which he eagerly did, for on discovering that the bird

captain's preserved fruit, stored carefully aw

llowed the expensive pistachio nuts and preserved pineapples, wh

er poured out, the wildest shouts of revelry which buccaneers ever uttered; even the English captain was obliged to drink his own wine, and the more he swallowed, the more firmly he began to believe that he himself was the pirate chief who had captured and plundered a ship, and advised the men to hang each other,

songs aloud, roused their enthusiasm to such a pitch that Skyrme, starting up, vowed by

g into it, and there drank the health of the captain, who almost died with laughter, thinking it vastly ente

their own sloop as a remembrance, took leave, urging him, when he reached Barbadoes, to send them a few rich merchantmen, of which just now they were in great need. Before he arrived there,

ten, and despatch them under the command of Captains Rogers and Graves in chase of the bold buccaneers who roved so daringly in waters so near port. The latter wer

em to come close, without ans

ting to them to haul down their flags and s

ly thundered a warning and, instead of an easy prey, the buccaneers found themselves in the

ceased and nothing was heard except the voice of Barthelemy, w

had caused momentary confusion on one of the vessels, he availed himself of it to run out between them, then, spre

trying, first from the right, then from the left, to sail across her bows.

ment his foes believed him hopelessly lost, Barthelemy's cra

d, at last gave up the c

and. Twenty-two ships were in the harbor. The buccaneers

their trumpets, ran up the black flag, and the

at Barbadoes still rankled in their souls, they must have flames somewhere. So long as they remembered Barbad

ships except coined money; and the crews did not even offer any resistance. With his splendid ship, on whose prow was a carved and gilded figure of Fortuna, he visited e

or Africa sailed at regular intervals, laden with provisions, from the English colonies. These met the pirate by a concerted agreement

his whole crew. The inhabitants illuminated their city, the governor came to meet him wit

with an orgy, and the orgy to end in a brawl; but fair women feared kisses as little

ed with rum and brandy, the breath of the flatterers reeked with the odor of onions and tobacco, pistols and blood-stained knives were carried in their pockets with the gold watches, and the hands on which diamonds glittered

full of gold as his lips of oaths. So why was it so great a marvel that the governors opened

his ships and bombarded his city; the governor of St. Barthelemy was wiser, he introduced the corsair to his wife an

er face was pale, but when the sun of passion glowed upon it, her cheeks at

on of these tints was

f this frenzy, save her husband-and no o

rthelemy at the banquet, opposite to the fair C

What a matchless figure! A goddess who has left her temple to come to West India! See tho

o heed, but apparently deemed it wis

shook him b

ou into the sea, kill you at once? I would m

when Barthelemy loosed his hold he

t, and the voices and laughter of women mingled with the oaths of the pirates; it seemed to be considere

s to the Creole who drained it to the health of the corsa

his own a diamond chain worth ten thousand dollars he clasped it round the beautiful woman's throat. Could

cheer that the walls shook, pounded the table

rowsy bear. Barthelemy claspe

e. If he wants a fleet, I'll drive hundreds of ships here like a flock of sheep. Come with me, I will rob Satan of Had

where he sat surrounded by empty wine bottles, "d

enger entered, bringing di

"Don't wake him, don't you see how sweetl

vernor's wife whispering tenderly to Barthelemy, in the bewil

wn when, glancing at the address, h

ed; he tore open the despatch and with

whole coast, burned and destroyed them, and pitilessly murdered the planters, sparing neither man,

lenched the paper convulsively; then, starting up, he flung the Creole aside and dealt the table such a bl

ader in a terrible voice. "Hence to the s

ent. The Creole beauty, with sparkling eyes, pressed near

. The old pirate had drunk hea

gs and then shatter it," cried the young chief.

his hand from the Creole's clas

the coast of

cheer, and throwing down their glasses, pressed after him with drunken enthu

elemy promised his men the treasures of a whole

ossing on the waves, from whose owners he learned that the insurgent slaves, afte

e and rushed like a mad

s what he already witnessed in his soul. The hill afforded a view of the cottage. Here he had parted for the last time with his betrothed bride; here

the hill-top-a weeping-willow obstructed the view and,

ered in the place of the green plantation, and th

forced him to witness the horrible bloody scenes enacted when the Satanic band burst into the quiet, lonely cottage, where the three girls and their grandmother knelt in prayer; he saw the rabble rush in through door and windows, sei

oved that it was no delusion, but reality. Springing to his feet he rushed wildly down into the valley to the ruins of the hut, called the names of his dear ones, stirred the ashes as if he might find them there, examined the footprints in the mire to see if he could discover among them any traces

o more rest. Change the wine-cup to wormwood ere it reaches my lips, and every throb of my heart to hate. I had a single joy, my soul a single steadfast idea, which came to my remembrance whenever any one sued to me for mercy, and I granted it. That w

ashes which he had clutched and, as they floated slowly down upon his he

uring the raging of a tempest, why didst Thou not let me perish by arms, by hunger? Why didst

had scattered to bear witness to his

g from the forest. Barthelemy barred his way. The man started at sight

u come?" aske

. The insurgents are conquered a

e! Have none of

fuge in a captured shi

you. You

ld not understand why any one should regret that the rebels w

ked Moody, when Barthelemy returned to

der in a hollow tone. "Only m

e band, the others kept watch from a distance. They had seen Barthelemy sitting despair

y the course to Africa. His face was gloomy, but ever and anon his eyes fl

isturbing

ed Scudamore. "We n

ow. I will grant

of the time during which we were on shore to desert and take refuge in the interior of the island.

me

traitor. We want no path for retreat, only for advance. Whoever has once sworn faith, is ours

aptured the

nly a mile from La Vega

m before m

ners, with fiendish delight, and retu

whom the pirates had fo

e angels, let me leave this accursed place. You are all doomed to hell, permit me to save my

er from the pirates greet

helemy coldly, motioning t

e thus, without the sacrament or extreme unction

ore with a diabolical laugh, putting

o say a prayer for me? Alas, I once kn

who began to roar the air of a song whose words he had long since f

sailor. His companions were forced to bind him hand and foot in order to

ing and fighting every day and when, at the risk of death, one gained a litt

ar more taste for the hangman's trade than for the physicia

, and Barthelemy exclaimed in s

of the Fortuna wa

his power, frequently paying their ransom out of his own pocket; his entreaties had saved many a ship from burning, and he had always kept aloof from the bacchanalian orgies of his companions, for which reason they did not hold him in special regard, and always watched hi

Barthelemy with un

an exception. I have but one request; send this valueless locket containing my portrait to my mother,-she lives

d and gazed intent

e?" he said in a stifled voice, loosing the ropes

urious as he saw the escape of the man whose death he mo

gment!" answered Barthelemy, gazing fiercely at the def

band remai

. His heart was stone, nothing touched it except a wom

there was one person whom he never attacked, Glasby. He spent whole nights in questioning him about his family life, his mother, and his betrothed bride, listening with eager attention to all the details for the hundredth time. He showed

ws of both pirate cruisers o

Portuguese merchantmen already fear us to such a degree that they almost love us. Let us go where we are not known, among the English and French, whose troops sleep secure in their fortresses along the coast, where Fortune is still a coy maiden who permits her favor

essful, the tones which had once thrilled them were dead; the fire in his soul, one spark of wh

And of what use are they? We merely give them away. I will take you to the home of treasures, the coasts of Africa, where ships laden with gold-dust plough the sea, where the negro kings sleep on golden sand and the negro warriors

w, and they responded with murmurs of approval, but the

ample cloak, whose folds concealed his hands, he added: "Perhaps there is some one who does no

sper together; at last two men came forward, hitching their

ain," said one, and the other nodded asse

hildren?" asked Barthelemy in

ings go well with us and finding booty

k unknown risks in unknown go

e are laws

l men-of-war pr

re for fame,

e, where people fear us, than

can shed as much here

seek danger merely to avenge you on th

s face blanched to

of childlike blandness. "You like it here, and are afraid to g

ought of it," they

ing back his cloak, and the next instant he

orror, then they turned furiously upon Barthel

n a voice which rose above the fray, and seizing a piece of stout rope he rushed among them, dealing blows r

ays! If any one utters a word against me, throw him into the sea," shouted Bart

eat risk," Glasby wh

an nor devil," replie

expired on the third, and Barthelemy, to prevent any attempt at flight, removed all the

ne night when they were still four

n a sandbank in the first storm which

plan; though his strength was dim

pe Corso. "We have reached our destination," said Barthelemy to the

r trade and, as the most venomous antidote of monopoly is smuggling,

ed them too far from the shore for the battle to be seen, then, after a short conflict, conquered both, sank one

ish war-ships, the Weymouth and Hirondelle had left the coast and woul

of the Anglo-African Company w

n their honor. From the windows of his residence they could see the pirates as

p and, pistol in hand, demanded that Barthelemy should restore his ship

s owner and then fighting for its possession so pleased

e Onslow's crew refused to fight against Barthe

y, if he had a drop of honorable blood in his body, not to stain his fame as a buccaneer by rec

ce to leaving you without a ship. Come, I'll give you, in exchange for the Onslow, my own vessel, the Commodore here. I can vouch for its being a good sailer and valuable, though I

aptain, and after having the old name Onslow effaced and Royal Fortune painte

command, made short expeditions on the Fox-Hound to s

iced on the horizon two suspicious vessels, which instantly gave chase; they were probably men-

th his glass, and soon discovered on the horizon the

look more like pirates, and are coming toward us wit

ve conquered plenty of merchantmen and war-ships, no

osity, saying to one another, "They think they are attacking

ill they fairly started from their sockets. Suddenly he clapped his hands, threw up

thelemy. "The man never laughed before

flung himself back in another fit of laughter so uncontrollable t

lunatic, wha

e them? They are the Sea Devil, and the Dutch ship which ran away from us, left us starving on the sea

loodthirsty eagerness they rushed for their weapons, climbed on the yards to

voluntarily came to encounter their revenge. This thought moved even Barthelemy so much that a burning flush crim

rer; get behind the bulwarks, they must be an easy prey, and th

they could see distinctly on the prow the hideous figure of the Sea Devil, and as the pirate

eady," Barthelemy co

tear them to pieces with

between the Royal Fortune's sails was the challenge to speak. The deepest silence reigned on Barthelemy's ship. The Sea Devil sa

spered Barthelemy giving the

l, the black flag floated from the Royal Fortune's mast, Bar

s traitors! Do you still

, leaped into a boat and, pushing off from the ship tried to reach the Dutch vessel, the othe

oment from the guns of the Royal Fortune and the Fox Hound shattered the Sea

n reaching the Dutch ship, which instantly spread

rsued with bo

y even her guns, by which sacrifice she succeeded in re

negroes stood on the l

ll save you," said Barthelemy, ordering the largest boat to be lowered. He had eight guns

with loud cries, that he was a monster who had come to conquer their land

exciting these savages against their former comrades, and the negro

low: traitors and negroes. To-day vengeance will reap a

, in whose ranks the bombs tore wide openings, and, amid this

sperate defence, and they rushed with bloodthirsty fury

the others moved forward in close ranks, aiming

eir battle axes, they began to retreat in confusion, left their huts and, dragging Kennedy and his men with them, climbed a steep hill, up which they could not be followed, and from wh

murmured. "Hell is blacker

erest enemies have escaped under our eyes. There is but one way to

t is

e authority to do as I please for half an hour and I promise to bring

like to

a stratagem of war which you could not learn fro

he allowed himself to be persuaded to return to the Royal Fortune and let the doctor work his will. As soon as the capt

ff the blacks saw their wives killed, their children slaughtered, and when all were sla

stepped forwa

ies. The same fate awaits you, down to the last man, if you don't

the stratagem and

thing is a fiendish plot, we are no fri

these people astray so that they would run into the mouths of our guns? Be bold, and with the help of you

an to surround Kennedy and his men, who in

ords of that devil, we never saw hi

black flag? If we had never seen each other how should I know that you have, on you

s soon as they had convinced themselves that Scudamore's words were true, they fl

ore, feigning fury. The next instant the axe fe

hers f

ed to Barthelemy and, pointing to the boat,