The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1890-07-25
CAPTAIN brand
TIE PIRATE SCHOONER.
ATALEOFTHES SEA
PART I.
CHAPTER vi.
A MANLY FANpAyGo.

| CHAPTER vi.
MANLY FANDANGo.
Twilight had taken the place of the red
sun, the stars came timidly out one by one,
and then i'll sparkling cluster the brilliant
consultations illumined the blue heavens
as the rosy twilight faded again away.
Then the ripple Of the inlet came with
tranquil, musical sound upon tho white
rehbly beach. the lizards in the holes and
crevices OF the rocks began their plantive
noises, the frogs and alligators joined in the
chorus from the low lagoon i'll the distance,
and the early night Of the tropic had begun.
But louder far than the hum of tho insects
and reptiles, and brightr than the lamp of
heaven, arose the wild shouts and songs of
the pirates cnrousing, where the torches
and WAX lights lit up the scene Of their
orgies with the light of day. The great
mess-room was u blaze of light from cam
dies and lamps, stuck in brackets or gilt
sconces about the walls, or hanging awry in
broken chandeliers from the lofty beams.
The remains of their feast had been clear
| ed away, and the tables We're covered with
bottles. cups, and glasses, with boxes of
cigars and pans of lighted Goals. At one
end of the room was II large table, on which
was laid black cloth with broad silver
border, sometimes used by the pad:e on
great occasions, and covered with cards and
piles of Mexican or Spanish dollars. At
the other end was raised platform, where
were four or five swarthy fellows with
guitars i'll their hands, strumming away in
the clear rafting harmony of Spanish boil
eros and dances, shrieking out at intervals
sna:ches of songs i'll time TO the music, or
twirng the instruments around their heads
i'll frenzy of excitement. At the tables,
too, We're more of the excited band, vocife-
rating with almost superhuman fuency in
various languages their exploits, pausing
occasionally amidst the hubbub to clink
their glasses together, and then chattering
and yelling OH as before. In the centre Of
the apartment were some half-dozen of the
same sor, either spinning around the floor
i'll the waltz or moving with certain air of
careless, manly grace, one toward another,
in the gavotte or bolero. There were at
least some sixty or seventy of these fell
lows in the room together. Most of them
| were above middle height, with silk sashes
around their waists, with broad shoulders,
large gold ear-rings, bushy whiskcrs, and
flowing hair. They were apparently from
all climes. from Africa to the Mexican Gulf.
and their features and compilations partook
OF every imaginable type. from the light
skin and ford complexion of the Swele,
to the low brow, oval. cheek Of the Metlitcr-
rincan, and the coal black hue and fat nose
of the Blight of Benin.
While the upronr was Mt its height, and
lofty tiled roof was ringing with the gay
and ribalds somSs and shouts of the excited
crowds. :wo persons appeared Mt the door
w:s Ill the middle of the room, and cnter-
ed. In II moment, as the busy jewellers
beheld them, the dance ceased, the music
of the guitar diedaway ina tinkling cadence.
the glasses stopped cinking, the dollars no
longer chinked, and the songs and shouts
were hushed. You might have heard a
real drop for minute, until one Of the in
dividuals who had entered slowly walked
forward few PAGES, and threw his right
hand a!oft iu situation. Then burst forth
IL hoarsc, simultaneous shouts of viva
nucstro amigo! Viva ell capitano!"
Captain Brand did not pause until he had
reached the centre of the great hall, where
he stood calmly looking around upon the
swarthy groups who crowded about in cir
cles at a respectful distance from him; and
then. amidst the silence, ho spoke in n
frank, of hand MANNER
We'll, my men. am glad to SEQ you all
once more around me. You have not been
so successful as hoped, but We tnko the
| EOou anu Ill luck IT'S IL comes, una llSG no
fault to find with You. The times, however,
that our retreat here where we have so
long been hid. may be discovered
yllinns around held their breath and let
their cigars lie dead in their nouths--"but,"
went on their commander, II shall do all
that is prudent in the circumstances for the
benefit of all of us; and if We leave here,
you will still have me for your leader, and
my head and heart and blade ever ready to
advise or protect YOU" As he stopped
speaking another cheer arose
Viva maestro amigo! Viva! viva el
Centipede el capitano! We stand by You
until DEATH"
Thank you, my fricnds 1 have but one
more word to say. The men who have the
relief Mt the signal stations and the water
battery must keep sober. Now go ON again
| with the music"
The captain. however, did not immediate
IL quit the hall. but while the revcl began
once more with all lis enthusiasm, he moved
amidst the crowd Of his adherents, and said
a cheerful word to many.
All. Hepel your arm in . sling. eh!
Craze of II glape-shot, eh2 WHY, Hans, YOU
here! nothing can hurt you! Well, Mon
sieur Antoine, how well thou art looking,
ard that pretty sweetheart of thine at ST,
|
shalt see her again. Whit, my jolly Jack
Tar! an ugly scr,tch that across your jaw
u splinter, CHI? Never mind; little plaster
and half-allowance of grog will put you all
right again. So goodnight, my friends!
Adios!"
Saying these words, all addressed to the
individuals in their different languages, he
gave wave of his hand, and passed out of
the building. As he rcjoineu his friend.
the commander of the Panchita-who had
waited at the threshold, while his wary glim
of an eye searched the faces and read the
| Thoughts of all the williams who clustered
to the court yard, and sauntered pleasantly
on towards the crag. They had not, how
ever, proceeded many PAGES before they
encountered the padre and the doctor.
All" exclaimed the captain, who was In
advance, how goes it with my doctor?"
shaking his hand as he spoke. "Oh, my
padre, how art thou?" turning to Ricardo.
"Salve my son! not been SO we'll this
morning with the old rheumatism in my
head"
Drunk" said sententiously the doctor.
Then again, witha gay laugh to the 9TH
er, We'll, my doctor, your first cruise has
hoped it might be, hut the next may ba
more agreeable"
Perhaps so Captain Brand; but I shall
have a word or two with you on that sub
ject morrow; and in the meanwhile,
seror, brought little boy back with me
who is i'll with fever, and my quarters are so
Sitting hot, and the air from the lagoon is
so bad. that would like to stow him for
day or SO, with your permission, in your
quarters. where it is cooler"
Certainly doctor; why not? my house
and all in 1t arc Mt your service. Blythe
way. | was about to ask you and the padre
to dine with me and Don Isnacio there.
VIII yon join us? Yes? Then let lis move
OIL, for dinner must be ready bv this time,
and 1t would be sin to keep Babette wait.
ing" Excusing himself for few minutes,
the doctor went for his sick charge, and re-
turned with him in his arms to the Pirates
dwelling.
CHATTER VII.
PIRATES DINNER.
1, T..