Evening journal., 1923-01-11
CHAPTER XIV
IcyaSseur's HerOics

1t would be som awhere about ten
O'Clock on the following morning
a fun hour before the time appoint
cd for sailing. when "A canoe brought
up alongside la Foudre. and a half
caste Indian stepped out of her and
went up the ladder. He was The
bearer Of a folded scrap Of paper
for Captain Levas5eur.
Its contents may be roughly
translated thus:
MY well beloved am in the
Dutch rig Jongvrouw. which is
about TO sail. Resolved to separate
us forever my cruel father is send
ing me 10 Europe in my bro,her's
charge. implore you. come TO my
rescue. Deliver M. my well-belov-
ed .hero,-Your deso'ated Made
leine. who loves you
The well-beloved hero was NOV
ed 10 the soul Of him by that pas
sionate appeal. His scowling glance
swept the bay for the Dutch brig.
which he knew had been due to
sail for Amsterdam with a cargo OF
hides and tobacco.
She was nowhere TO be seen
among the shipping in that narrow.
rock-bOund harbor. He roared out
the question in his mind.
In answer the half-caste pointed
out beyond the frothing surf that
marked the position OF the reef con
stituting one OF the stronghold's
main defenses. Away beyond 70. a
mile or so distant. a sail was stand
ing out 20 sea.
Cursing in his soul the associa-
ton into which ne had entered.
Levasseur was already studying
ways OF evasion. Blood would nev-
er suffer violence TO he done in his
presence TO a Dutchman: bu, il
might he done in his absence.
Within the hour the Arabells and
Ia Foudre were heating out TO sea
together. Without understanding
the change OF plan involved. Cap
tain Blood. nevertheless. accepted 80.
and weighed anchor before the APP
pointed time upon perceiv'ns his as
sociate 10 do so.
All day the Dutch brig was in
sight. though by evening she had
dwindled 10 the merest speck on the
northern horizon. The course pre-
scribed for Blood and L.evasse lay
eastward along the northern shores
Of Hispaniola. To that course the
Arabella held steadily through the
ght. with the result that when day
broke again, she was alone. La
Foudre under cover OF the darkness
had struck away to the northeast
with every rag OF canvas on her
Yards.
Dawn found Ia Foudre close on
the Dutchman's heels. not mile
astern. and the sight OF her very
evidently fiustered the Jongvrouw.
The Dutch ship veered. showed them
her rudder and opened fire with
her stern chasers. The small shot
wont whistling through la Foudre's
shrouds with some slight damage
IN her canvas. Followed a brief
running fght in the course OF which
the Dutchman let hv broadsida.
Five minutes after they were held
tight in the clutches of La Foudre's
grapnels. and the buccaneers pour
ing noisily INFO her waist
The Dutchman's master. purple
in the face, stood forward TO beard
ihe pirate. followed closely hy an
elegant pale-faced Young gentleman
in whom Levasseur recognized his
brother-in-law elect.
From the quarter rail AIademoi-
seile d'Ogeron looked down with
glowing eyes in bre1thless wonder
upon her well-beloved hero. He saw
her. and with a glad shout sprans
toward her. The Dutch master got !
in his way with hands upheld TO ar
rest his progress. Leva sseur did not
stay 10 argue with him; he was too
impatient 10 reach his mistress. He I
swung the poleaXe that he carried. .
and the Dutchman went down in
blood with cloven skull. The T.
eager lover stepped across the body /
and came on. his countenance joy ,
ously alight.