University of Virginia Library

10. CHAPTER X.
THE MAIDEN AND THE BROTHERS.

The freebooting party reached the
schooner in safety, though with some delay,
as it was difficult, in the darkness
and fog, to find her position. The booty
which had been obtained was disposed of
in the cabins, and the corsair then gave
orders to man his gig.

“Don't you weigh anchor and stand up
opposite the house of Colonel Oglethorpe,
sir?” asked Randolph.

“No, I think I will pull there in my
boat, leaving my vessel here.”

“It is a long pull, sir,” said Randolph,
who was desirous of getting the schooner
as far up the narrow strait, between the
island and the main, as possible, thus less
ening her chance of getting fairly to sea
again before the arrival of the vessels to
which he had sent information. And
having no intelligence yet, that either of
his messages had been delivered, or that
the vessels were at the places to which he
sent, he felt the necessity of bringing the
schooner as far from sea as he could, in
order that, if the whole enterprise of her
capture should at last fall upon him individually,
he might effect it with more facility.

“The distance, you say, is about a mile
and a half?”

“Yes. The current too is strong,
while with this wind you could lay your
course!”

“But I should have to drop anchor and
weigh a second time. No. I will go in
my gig!”

“Be it so, then. You will be no less
in my power,” said Randolph to himself.

“You will accompany me, fisherman!
Your services I can't do without!”

“I will go, and do what I can, sir.”

“You shall not go unrewarded. If I
succeed to-night in what I go upon, you
shall to-morrow be made rich enough to
buy you a fishing craft.”

“Thank you, sir!”

The boat soon after put off from the
schooner, and Randolph took the coxswain's
place at the helm. A small lantern
cast its rays upon a pocket compass,
by which he steered direct for the house
of the Colonel. The night was not only
obscured by fog, but dark with overhanging
clouds. Nothing was visible but the
boat and themselves. During the row
Randolph was silent. His breast glowed
with the most intense hostility towards
the corsair. He despised him not only
for his lawless profession, but for daring
to lift his thoughts to the woman whom
he himself loved; for Randolph still loved,
and madly loved, the beautiful, dark-eyed
girl, whom he had, in his bitterness, so
haughtily treated. Resolutions of vengeance
against him for the past, and for what
he was now meditating against her, filled

his soul. But he waited his time for action.
He desired the destiny of the man
to be fully matured. He wished to show
the world, her, his brother—even his step-mother—that
he was honorable and true
as a man and a citizen, notwithstanding
the wrongs which had almost driven him
to despair and recklessness.

The boat at length touched the shore,
and Randolph sprung to land. He was
followed by the corsair, who ordered six
men to take their pistols and attend him.

“The men might accidentally discharge
one of them, and this would give the
alarm,” said Randolph. “There are but
two men-servants in the house. They
will need no weapons!”

“You are right. Leave your pistols in
the boat. I don't want any fighting or
blood-shed. An alarm would be fatal to
us; for, in the darkness and fog, we could
not stir the schooner from where she is.”

The men laid their pistols down and
prepared to move on. Randolph glided
back to the boat, under cover of the impenetrable
darkness, and hastily securing
a brace of the pistols, rejoined them.

“Ho, fisherman!” said the corsair. “I
feared we had lost you in the dark! How
shall we be able to move? I can't see
path nor tree! Who has the lantern?”

“I have the lantern,” answered Randolph,
opening it and going on ahead.

The mansion of Colonel Oglethorpe
stood upon an elevated table of land about
three hundred yards from the water. It
was embosomed in oaks and larches, and
approached from the shore by a gravelled
walk bordered by evergreens. Up this
avenue the party took their noiseless way.
The hour was a little before eleven, yet a
light, as they approached the house, was
faintly visible through the mist.

“There is the house,” said Randolph,
stopping suddenly. “What is your purpose,
captain, in coming here?”

“Why, you are a free, frank fellow, and
seem to know the world, fisherman as you
are,” said the corsair, laughing, “so I will
tell you. I mean to surprise the maiden,
and carry her on board the schooner. The
first port we come to after, I shall make
her my bride!”

“This is quite a new way of getting a
wife!”

“Yes, somewhat. But I have both
love and revenge to gratify. I love her,
and would wed her, will she nill she!
She hates me, and I would wed her to
punish her contumacy. So, let us on!
Which is the best way of getting into the
house?”

“Follow me, and I will guide you,” answered
Randolph, in a low tone.

The house stood upon a raised basement
of stone, in which were the underground
apartments of the mansion. They
were massive stone rooms, with heavy
arches supporting the floors above, and
used as store houses, ice-house, and receptacles
for coal. There was a door beneath
the portico, which led into these
subterranean chambers, and another at
their extremity, which communicated with
the house above.

“Remain here for a moment, and I will
effect an entrance which shall not disturb
any one,” said Randolph, stopping by the
steps of the portico. “If we apply to the
front door, the servants, seeing you, may
escape, and a musket fired by one of them
would give the alarm. Do not move till
I come back.”

“There is little likelihood that we will,
for the darkness can be cut,” answered
the corsair, as Randolph passed round the
house with the lantern.

He hastened to the rear, and lifting one
of the windows opening into the library,
he entered. All was still within the
house. Perfectly familiar with the localities,
he crossed the room, and opened the
door leading into the hall. He traversed
it in the direction of the drawing-room,
from which the light had gleamed through
the fog. The door was ajar, and a light
streamed through the opening. He heard
voices. Noiseless he advanced. He looked
in, and beheld Olive Oglethorpe seated
upon an ottoman. Her harp had fallen

forgotten by her side. At her feet knelt
Arthur, her hand clasped in his, and gazing
up into her face with the most passionate
fervor. The joy and worship of
love shone in his eyes and glowed upon
his cheek. She was bending her eyes
upon him, with a sweet tenderness of affection
in them that the heart only can
give expression to.

Words passed between them, low and
burning, and thrilling with passionate devotion.
Randolph saw and heard, and all
the bitterness of his soul came back upon
him like a storm-cloud that returns upon
the changing wind. He saw all his suspicions
confirmed, and his soul was on
fire. His first impulse was to bound forward,
strike his brother to the earth, and
charge her with her treachery to him.
But he restrained his feelings. Haughty
scorn took their place. He felt suddenly
like overwhelming both, not with the
vengeance of a fiery hand, but of noble
deeds.

“Be it so! Let him love her! He has
my birth-right, let him have my bride also.
I will not slay him! I will not harm
him! I will take a higher revenge!
What I have now discovered shall not
change my first purpose. They are in
my power. All I have to do is to retire
from the scenes and let this corsair and
his party come forward and act out my
vengeance. But I will save her! They
shall know I am noble still!”

Thus speaking, Randolph retired noiselessly
from the door, and after traversing
quickly three or four rooms, he came to a
door, which he threw open. The cold
rush of damp air that came up, told that
it let into the arched chambers beneath
the villa. He descended and traversed
the chilly, paved passage that led to the
outlet underneath the portico. It was
barred heavily on the inside, and locked
with a huge padlock. The key hung up
by the side of it. He unlocked it and removed
the iron bar, and threw open the
door.

The corsair and his party started back
at seeing him suddenly show himself with
the lantern.

“I have been in the house and the way
is open by passing through this passage,”
said Randolph.

“Come, men, enter after me, but make
no noise,” said the captain of the schooner,
in a suppressed tone. “Why, what a
prison-like hole! These look like dungeons
on each side!”

“The house was erected in old times,
when men built for centuries,” answered
Randolph, as he closed the strong oaken
door, and replaced the heavy bars across
it.

“Do you lock it? we want a way to
retreat!”

“You will go out by the upper way!”
answered Randolph, as he locked the bar
and thrust the key of the padlock into his
pocket. “Now follow me, captain, and I
will show you the lady. Let your men
remain here until you call to them. The
noise they will make in going through the
house will alarm her. I have seen her.
She is in the drawing-room.”

“Bravo, fisherman! I will go with you
alone first. Remain here, lads, and when
you hear me call, be at my side; though
I fancy we shall have no fighting to
night!”

Randolph went forward, closely followed
by the corsair. They reached the upper
floor, and Randolph then led the way
to the hall.

“Now, if you will promise, captain, not
to disturb her yet, but merely look in upon
her, it is all I ask for showing you up!”

“I promise for five minutes, provided
I can gaze on her unseen for that time.”

“Softly! now look in.”

“What a heavenly face! I never thought
her the half so fair! I could hug you, my
man, for getting me this blessing! But
what Adonis is this? Here is fighting
to do!”

Randolph made no reply. Leaving him
gazing upon her, he hastened back to the
door which led into the subterranean
rooms, and, softly closing it, he turned the

key. Then, for better security, he placed
against it a heavy book-case, and other
articles of furniture. Having thoroughly
barricaded it he returned, saying,

“Remain there, my men! at least you
are safe! Now I will take care of my
friend in a manner worthy of himself!”

“Are the five minutes out, fisherman?”
asked the corsair as he came back.

“Yes. Enter and tell her what you
came for, but touch her not, for I can't
see a woman rudely treated!”

“The deuce you can't. I think I shall
follow the bent of my humor, good fellow.
Don't try to command me, because I
have given you some license of familiar
speech.”

As he spoke, he entered the drawing-room.
Randolph, with flashing eyes, entered
with him. On beholding this sudden
entrance, Olive rose, and uttered an
exclamation of surprise and alarm. Arthur
sprung to his feet, and fixed upon the
corsair a look of haughty inquiry.

“What means this intrusion? Who
are ye?”

“Ask the lady, who trembles as she recognises
me,” answered the corsair.

Arthur turned to Olive who had recognised
him, and nearly fainted with terror;
for well she knew that he had come to
visit her for no good. Rumor had said
that he had taken to lawless deeds since
she last saw him, and her fears partook
of the most painful character.

“Do you know this person, Olive?”
asked Arthur.

“Nay, I do not wish to know him.
What do you here, sir?” she demanded
with sudden energy, which displeasure
and fear combined, inspired.

“I come, fair maiden, to ask you, with
all due courtesy, to become the bride of
“The corsair of the Mist!”

“The pirate captain!” cried Arthur.

“Yes, if so please you, handsome sir.
I am captain of a schooner that sails under
any flag that suits the hour. I have come
to ask this lady to be my companion on
the bright blue wave. Once I sued to her
and was scorned. Now I come as a conqueror,
not a slave!”

“Protect me, Arthur!”

“With my life!” cried the youth, clasping
her in the embrace of one arm, while,
with his weaponless hand outstretched, he
stood between her and the corsair.

“So! I see I must use weapons here,”
he cried, drawing his dirk. “Stand back,
my fine young fellow!”

“Hold!” cried Randolph, striking the
weapon from his hand and levelling a
pistol at his breast.

“What is this? treachery? am I betrayed,
villain?”

“God be praised, we have a friend
here!” exclaimed Olive.

“It is Randolph's voice; nay, it is he!”
cried Arthur in amazement.

“Yes, you are betrayed, and by the
man you have most reason to fear!” answered
Randolph, in his natural voice
and manner. “I am no fisherman! I
am Randolph Ledyard! I have assumed
this disguise to betray you. I have stuck
by you closely that I might save her whom
you would have destroyed! I am her avenger
and my own!”

“Ho! my men, ho! to the rescue!”
shouted the infuriated corsair.

“You need not call! your men are secured
below as safely as in the dungeons
of the Bastile. You are in my power. If
you love life you will yield without further
resistance.”

“Never—to thee!” cried the corsair, suddenly
springing forward and striking the
pistol from his hand. The next instant he
was flying through the hall. Randolph
pursued, and came up with him as he was
endeavoring to open the front door. He
presented the muzzle of a pistol before
his eyes.

“Surrender on the instant or you die!”

The corsair glared upon him with savage
vindictiveness, and with an execration
that would have well become the lips
of a fiend, he flung his dagger to the floor
and folded his arms upon his chest in
fierce and haughty token of submission.

“Arthur, bind him, while I stand sentry
over him till you secure him,” said Randolph.

The young man cut down the bell-cord,
and with it firmly bound his arms behind
him, and Randolph, taking the end, passed
it through an iron ring of the door, and
strongly secured him. He then re-entered
the drawing-room. Olive sat, pale and
trembling, upon a sofa. Arthur approached
her and assured her that the danger
was passed. Randolph stood near and
silently gazed on both. They both were
confused by the intensity of his looks.

“Olive,” he said in a sad tone, “I trust
you will not think me, after this, so bad as
you believed me! I loved you—I thought
you loved me!—You did, perhaps, till I became
poor, and was banished my father's
house! I then sought you, and the sight
of me caused you to shriek and recoil as
if a serpent had crossed your path. I
knew then you loved me no more. So
I gave you back your troth, and left you
—left you to love my brother! Nay,
speak not! do not add falsehood to what
has been! I know your heart is his, and
that he loves you as I did—nay, as I still
would, did I feel that you were worthy.
I have witnessed your interview to-night.
I saw him at your feet, I heard your words
of love! Nay, not a word, Arthur. Fate
has given all mine to thee! I came hither
to save you, Olive, as you heard me say
to the corsair. I have shown you both
that, though wronged, I have the nobleness
of soul to forgive. In serving you,
I am avenged upon you!”

“Randolph! I do confess my injustice
to you!” cried Arthur, throwing himself
at his feet.

“Not a word! Rise, Arthur! Love
her and bless her! I will love my country
henceforward only! But this is no
time for words. Action is demanded. I
leave in your charge and trust this pirate
chief. There are six of his men below.
They are secure. But you had best send
the servants for some of your neighbors
to arm and come over to the villa. I have
other duties. Did you receive my message?”

“Yes, and bore it to the telegraph station.
I waited and saw the Franklin get
under weigh.”

“Then the schooner cannot escape.
Olive, farewell! I give thee to my brother,
for without thee he would not fulfil
his destiny, which builds him up on the
ruin of my own!”

With these words he turned from her
and passed into the hall. The maiden
would have spoken, but her voice failed
her. She extended her hands towards
him, and half rose, but they fell by her
side, and she sunk back again like one
lifeless.

“What mean you to do with me, traitor?”
demanded the corsair, as Randolph
passed him.

“Hold you prisoner till your vessel is
also in my hands, and then take you
prisoner in her to town! I wish to borrow
the ring on your hand! Nay, not a word.
I will have it. I hold your life cheap, and
do not tempt me too far.”

The prisoner suffered him to remove
from his finger a ring set with a cornelian.
Randolph then quitted the house, after
leaving his pistol with Arthur to stand
guard over the bound corsair.