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BBETHBEN OF THE COAST

^■''■■^-' LF.NJX AND
HLD.N .-'OUxVDATIOKg

**^^t\T

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■ r ,

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-■■<• ■ •'

BRETHREN OF THE COAST

A TALE OF

THE WEST INDIES

KIRK MUNROE

AUTHOR OF " THB WHTTK CONQUBBOKS/' *' AT WAR WITH

PONTIAC," " THBOUOH SWAMP AND OLADB," ** IN

PIBATB WATBBS," " MIDSHIPMAN STUABT "

BTG.

ILLUSTRATED BY RUFU8F. ZOGBAUM

' NEW YORK

CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS

1900

TffK Kf;w YOHg

VVT-

T iri

T TT> n

*•' J^«i»»-

>.«y

COFYKIGHT, 1900, BY
KIRK MUNROB.

J. 8. CiuliinK & Co. - Berwick k SmBh
Norwood Maaf. U.SJk.

CONTENTS

IV.

VI.

vn.
vin.

IX.

XI.

XIL

xm.

XIV.

XV,

XVL

XVII.

xvin.

XIX.

XX.

XXI.

Fbdvcb Thbo . . • •
F1B8T Appbabjlnob ov Latbobb

Caftubsd BT FntATBS
DlABLITO^B RbTBMOB .

« . ■>

In *^La Caybbha db Diablo''

An Attbmptbd Esoapb •

Branded vob Lifb .

Thb Advent of a Biyal .

A Young Outcast

In the Caye of Bones

A Fight fob Fbeedom

The Work of a Tbaitob .

**Adio8, mt Little One"

First Touch of American Soil

EiNDLT Hearts and Pitiful

The Drifting of a Waif

Miss Tabbt takes Charob

**A Fighting, Foreign Heathbneb

Sad Besult of going to School

Theo shocks the Congregation

A Schoolmaster put to Flight

PAGB
1

102

111

110

128

136

146

154

163

CONTENTS

OHAPTIK

xxn.

XXIIL

XXIV.

XXV.

XXVI.

xxvn.
xxvin.

XXIX.

XXX.

XXXI.

xxxn.
xxxni.

XXXIV.
XXXV.

Thb Coming of Ltdia Dots .
Utilizino a Piratical Education .
Theo becomes mtstbbiouslt Affluent
How THE Monet was obtained
Beappeabance of an Old Fbiend •
Fbom the Secbetabt of the Natt
Exit Lesbia — Enteb Latbobb
Undbb Sealed Obdebs
In a Joubnal of Havana .
''Done at La Bbisa" •
Again at the Deyil^s Dbn
Told bt Alyobd Spiceb .
The Punishment of Diablito
Last Appbabancb of Latbobb

PAoa
180

180

197

206

214

223

232

241

250

260

267

27ft

284

203

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

** He stood there fully exposed, waving his flag of truce ''

Frontispiece

PAOB

** Diahlito drew a pistol and i>ointed it at his yictim^s head *' 90

**A man sat in the doorway smoking'' 60

<* A ball crashed through the bulwarks " .... 84

** When he appeared on the surface he brought with him an
unconscious form " 164

*' He made frequent use of Theo's boat " . . . • 2S0

'* For a full minute the young officer stood motionless " . 200

<^ A large ship, flying Spanish colors " 286

BRETHREN OF THE COAST

CHAPTER I

PRINCE THBO

*^ SbStob Danbbisa, with a million of joys I an-
nounce a son! Also that the Senora is resting
comfortably."

" Now Heaven be praised I And with God's help
I will make a man of him."

"He has eyes of blue."

" To remind him always that he is an American I "
cried the delighted father. " And his name shall be
Theophilus William, which was that of his grand-
father, as true a Yankee as ever trod free soil.
Lesbia, for this news thou shalt have thy freedom
within an hour ; for none but a free woman may
nurse my boy."

The woman drew herself up to her full stature,
and into her eyes flashed a light that could never
shine from those of a slave.

" Such a gift is beyond thanks, my master ; but
with my life will I serve thee and him."

2 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

"No longer thy master, Lesbia, but thy friend.
Now tell me if I may see him ? "

" My friend, I will fetch him that thy eyes may
look into his," answered the black woman, with the
graciousness of one who confers a royal favor. Then
she turned, and, with head proudly uplifted, looking
neither to right nor left, she entered the house with
the air of a princess.

It had been a trying day for Daniel Breeze, the
American proprietor of one of the largest sugar
estates in Cuba. For some time he had entertained
suspicions against his steward, a young Spaniard
who had come to him within a year highly recom-
mended. He was a powerfully built young fellow,
nearly as tall as Daniel Breeze himself, and was
noted for the amount of work he could extract from
those under him. The proprietor had, however,
been given cause to suspect his honesty, and, after
weeks of watching, had proved him to be a thief.
So Senor Danbrisa, as he was universally called,
had gone forth that morning to charge the unfaith-
ful steward with his crime and give him his dis-
missal. He had discovered the man in the very act
of beating one of the female field hands to compel
her to work after she had pleaded a sickness that
rendered further effort impossible. Daniel Breeze,
having established a rule that no slave on the estate
should be punished without the case being first
brought before him, was made so angry by this

FRINGE THEO 8

sight that he struck the steward a stinging blow
across the face with his riding whip, at the same
time sternly commanding him to retire at once to
his own quarters. Uttering a scream of fury, the
Spaniard whipped out a knife, and sprang at his
employer with deadly intent. But Daniel Breeze
was as quick as he, and ere the knife could reach its
mark the man was abruptly halted by the muzzle of
a pistol levelled at his head.

" Drop that knife, you scoundrel ! " thundered the
big American.

The man sullenly did as directed.

"Now, about face. March ! "

This order was also obeyed, and the proprietor,
following on horseback, drove the culprit to the
office of the estate, where he was confronted by
proofs of his guilt. Then he was marched to the
Embarcadero, where a brig belonging to La Brisa
was loading sugar for England. Here Daniel Breeze
bade her commander place the man in irons, from
which he was not to be released until the vessel was
well out at sea, and transport him to Liverpool, where
he might be turned loose. To the prisoner he said : —

" I send you into exile, Manuel Lopez, rather than
to the chain gang, for the sake of your friends ; but
if ever you return to this country and I learn of it,
I shall show you no more mercy than you extended
to the poor wretch whom you were beating awhile
ago."

4 BRETHREN OP THE COAST

Having thus meted out a punishment much
lighter than the stern Spanish law would have in-
flicted, the proprietor spent the remainder of that
day in riding over his vast estate, straightening its
tangled affairs, and undoing qo far as lay in his
power the wrong perpetrated by his unjust steward.
Towards evening he was summoned home in hot
haste by a messenger bringing news that his wife
was alarmingly ill.

Daniel Breeze was devotedly attached to the beau-
tiful Cuban girl whom he had met and married some
five years earlier in New York, where she had accom-
panied her father into political exile. Don Emico
del Solio had been one of the wealthiest of Cuban
planters, and a political power on the island. In-
curring the displeasure of Charles IV., King of
Spain, he was forced to fly for his life to the United
States, where he maintained himself and his devoted
daughter by teaching the Spanish language. In this
time of his adversity Daniel Breeze, a young busi-
ness man of New York, interested in the Cuban trade,
became his stanch friend, and finally married his
daughter Dorotea on the day that she was seventeen.

Soon afterward, by another turn of fortune's
wheel, Don Emico was recalled from exile and re-
stored to his former station ; but he lived less than
a year. By his death Daniel Breeze became master
of the splendid estate, which was rechristened " La
Brisa " in his honor.

FRINCB THBO 5

Here he and his beautiful Cuban wife made their
home, and here had been bom to them three chil-
dren, all girls, who, according to the terms of the
marriage contract, were being brought up in the
faith of their mother. By the same terms any sons
were to be educated as the father should decide.
Devoted to his wife, and dearly loving his three
little daughters, Daniel Breeze still longed above all
things for a son, and now that one had been given
him his joy knew no bounds.

At Lesbia's announcement all the weariness and
vexations of the day were forgotten, and, filled with
a great happiness, the proprietor entered the house
and went directly to the room set apart for his own
use. Here his first act was to make out the magic
paper that should translate a human being from
slavery to freedom. It began : —

" Know all men by these presents, that I, Daniel
Breeze, in token of gratitude to Almighty God, and
in honor of my son, Theophilus William, born this
day, do hereby manumit from bondage, and give
imconditional freedom to the woman Lesbia, etc."

When this paper was finished to his satisfaction,
he caUed in witnesses and signed it in their presence.
Then he ordered the entire household to assemble
in the great inner court, and sent for his daughters,
Nueva Centuria, because she had been born in 1801,
Mariquita, and baby Tertia. These came, each with
her nurse, and all in charge of a governess. Finally

6 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

Lesbia appeared wearing, as always, a snow-white
turban and dressed for the occasion with all the
splendor of an African princess. She proudly
bore in her arms a pillow on which rested the in-
fant in whose honor all these preparations had been
made.

At his entrance Daniel Breeze rose, and handing
the signed paper to the nurse said : —

^^ Lesbia, for the past half hour you have been a
free woman, as free as I or the child in your arms,
and here is the confirmatory deed which no man can
dispute. May you be as happy and prosperous in
your freedom as you have been faithful and diligent
during your years of servitude. And now let me
look at my son."

For a full minute the proud father gazed into the
wide-open blue eyes of the babe for whose coming he
had prayed. The little girls were next allowed to
see him, and then Daniel Breeze, bearing the tiny
morsel of humanity in his own arms, though closely
followed by the anxious Lesbia, stepped to the open
court where for a moment he displayed the young
master of La Brisa to its assembled servants. That
night there was rejoicing all over the vast estate;
and on it the remainder of the week was given
over to the festivities befitting a most important
holiday.

The youngster thus welcomed into a kindly world,
throve and grew apace into a sturdy child, who never

PRINCB THEO 7

heard a harsh word, whose every wish was gratified
as soon as expressed, who found his kingdom at his
feet, and in consequence ruled it with a princely arro-
gance. Whatever he desired, he screamed for and
obtained ; whatever he disliked, he put from h\m
with imperious gesture, and it troubled him no more.
His wishes formed the law of La Brisa, and none of
its inhabitants ever hesitated in obeying his slightest
behest.

For six years Prince Theo thus reigned in the
land, and then came the day when he must leave his
realm with its devoted subjects for a venture into
the great unknown world.

Never for a moment had Daniel Breeze swerved
from his avowed purpose of having his boy educated
as an American and given the advantages of a New
England up-bringing. None knew better than he
the wickedness and cruelty of allowing a child to
grow up in an atmosphere of unrestrained selfish-
ness, such as surrounded Theo in his home. Thus
he was determined that as soon as the boy was
old enough to be taken from his mother his life
should undergo a radical change. From the first
the Senora Danbrisa had known that when her boy
became six years of age he was to be taken from her,
and consigned to the care of his American relatives.
This was part of the compact made long ago with
her husband; and though her heart broke at thought
of the terrible parting, she forced herself to regard it

8 BBETHBEN OF THE COAST

as inevitable. To her three daughters the prospect
of their brother's departure was not wholly tinged
with sadness. They could even imagine that, freed
from the exactions of the young tyrant, they might
lead happier lives than at present.

Daniel Breeze, while resolved to do his duty by
his son, was yet unable to conceive of life at La
Brisa without him as being bearable; while poor
Lesbia, whose whole heart was so bound up in the
child that she had no thought save for him, abso-
lutely refused to discuss his going, since it had been
decided that she was to be left behind. As for Theo
himself, he was too young to realize the great change
about to take place in his life, and was only vaguely
pleased at the idea of going somewhere with papa
on a big ship.

As the proprietor of La Brisa found it necessary
to pay a business visit to the United States at least
once a year, he had decided to take his little son
with him on one of these trips ; and at length the
fateful date of departure arrived. A brig, the very
one in which Manuel Lopez had been carried to
England, was ready to sail for New York. So with
a heavy heart Daniel Breeze took his son in his
arms and stepped into a boat that waited for them
at the Embarcadero. All La Brisa was gathered
with tears and smiles, cheers and prayers, to witness
the departure. Only two persons were absent, the
boy's mother, who lay sobbing herself sick in her

PRINCE THEO 9

own chamber, and his nurse, who was nowhere to
be found. As the boat put off little Theo called
for her, but none replied; and for the first time
in his life he knew what it was to have an un-
gratified wish.

CHAPTER II

FIRST APPEARANCE OF LATROBE

The world was in a tumult. France, single-
handed, but led by the great Napoleon, was warring
against combined Europe. While armies fought on
land, fleets battled at sea ; and single ships, flying
adverse flags, rushed at each other on sight, like wild
beasts thirsting for blood. Even in the Western
hemisphere the Spanish- American colonies, inspired
by the successful rebellion of the United States, had
taken advantage of the universal disturbance to
proclaim their independence, and were fighting for
liberty. Having no navies, these were sending forth
scores of privateers to prey on Spanish commerce.
In all the world of turmoil only the United States
remained neutral, and her ships alone might sail
the ocean in peace.

Thus Daniel Breeze felt safe in intrusting his
own life and that of his son, which he regarded as
far more valuable, to the stanch brig Siren which,
though she belonged to La Brisa, was American
built, commanded by Yankee officers, and sailed
under the American flag.

Before a light but favoring wind she stood out

FIRST AFPBABANCE OF LATBOBE

to sea, and was headed southward and
intention of making the Windward Passage]
the gathering dusk shrouded his view Daniel
remained on deck with his boy in his arms, watch-
ing the beautiful home he loved so well ; but when
even the land could no longer be distinguished, he
turned away with a deepMirawn sigh, and taking
the child below gave him his supper. Then he
essayed the more difficult task of putting the boy
to bed, a proceeding against which Prince Theo
entered a vigorous protest. He screamed and
kicked, called for his mamma and for Lesbia, and
utterly refused to be comforted by any of his
&tther's persuasive arts. At the end of half an
hour the situation remained unchanged, except that
Theo, still stubbornly defiant, was nearly exhausted
by the prolonged struggle, while his father was in
despair. The latter was contemplating a retreat, in
hopes that the child if left alone might sob him-
self to sleep, and fervently wishing he had brought
along a nurse, when the stateroom door was gently
opened and a pleasant-faced young negro, clad in
white linen, appeared on the scene.

" Pardon, Senor," he said, " but hearing the cries
of the muchachito I ventured to come with an
offer of assistance. I have had much experience
with lo8 nifioa, and — "

"Who the devil are you?" interrupted Daniel
Breeze, crossly.

12 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

"I am Latrobe, assistant to the ship's steward,"
was the reply, " and having had so much to do with
children thought perhaps I might be of assistance.
There, little one I There, Sugar Sweet I Don't cry
any more."

Even as he spoke the new-comer turned his atten-
tion to the child, who had ceased his sobbing to gaze
wonderingly at him, and began deftly to unrobe the
little form. To the amazement of Daniel Breeze his
self-willed son offered no resistance, but remained
passive in the hands of his self-appointed nurse, and
only an occasional gasping sob served to recall the
recent storm.

" Well, that beats me ! " muttered the discomfited
but greatly relieved parent. Then he added
aloud : —

"As you seem to understand this business, La-
trobe, I will leave him with you ; but you must stay
by him until he sleeps. In fact, you would better
remain here until my return, and if you will look
out for him all the way to New York, I'll see that
you are well paid for your trouble. Good night,
son."

With this the proprietor of La Brisa retired to
the deck, which he paced reflectively for an hour or
so, at the same time soothing his perturbed feelings
with the smoke of an excellent cigar.

When he returned to his stateroom he found it
in perfect order, the child sleeping peacefully, and

FIRST APPEARANCE OF LATROBE 18

Latrobe sitting by his side. Upon the entrance of
the white man, the negro rose, bowed respectfully,
and slipped quietly away.

" I declare, that fellow is a treasure," said Daniel
Breeze to himself. " I wonder if it wouldn't be a
good scheme to buy him and let him accompany
Theo to his new home ? There will be time enough,
though, to consider that before the end of the
voyage."

The next morning, before he was up, Latrobe
entered the room and carried Theo away for his
bath ; nor did the father again see his son until
breakfast time, when he reappeared neatly dressed,
radiantly happy, and full of recently acquired in-
formation concerning the new life upon which he
had entered. It was already driving the old one
from his memory, and he no longer exhibited signs
of homesickness. During that day Latrobe was
always on hand when the child needed him, and
was at the same time so unobtrusive that his pres-
ence was hardly noticed.

Once, Daniel Breeze, still considering his half-
formed plan, asked him concerning his master.

" I have none, Senor, since I am free," was the
reply.

" Ah ! and with papers to prove it ? "

" Certainly, Senor."

" In that case would you consider a proposition to
enter my service, or rather that of my son, and at-

14 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

tend him during an absence from home that may
extend over several years ? "

"I would consider it, Senor."

Then, at an imperious call from Theo, the man
darted away, and the subject was dropped.

Later in the day, when the brig lay almost be-
calmed a few leagues off the lofty headland of Cape
Cruz, her captain and Daniel Breeze paced the deck
together, speculating as to the length of the voyage
before them.

" Well," said the latter, finally, '^it will be a much
pleasanter voyage than I expected, thanks to your
man Latrobe. He seems remarkably clever for one
in his position, and I have never known my little
chap take such a fancy to a stranger as he does to
him."

Who do you mean ? " asked the captain.
Why, your assistant steward, of course, who has
so successfully assumed the office of nurse to my
boy. Look at them now, as happy together as two
kittens."

"Assistant steward," repeated the captain, "we
don't carry any such person aboard this vessel. You
ought to know that, Mr. Breeze. As for the fellow
you speak of, I never saw him until after you came
aboard and thought, of course, he was one of your
servants. Isn't he ? "

"No, I never set eyes on him until we were
well out at sea, when he appeared at my stateroom

FIRST APFBABAKCE OF LATBOBE 15

door and offered to help me with Theo. I must say,
though, whoever he is, he makes a capital nurse."

" So it appears," replied the captain ; " but for all
that his record must be looked up. He is probably
a runaway from some plantation, who stowed himself
aboard in hopes of getting passage to the States. In
that case I'll have to put him in irons and bring him
back, for it would never do to have the Siren gain
the reputation of harboring runaway niggers. Hi
there I you black fellow. Come here, I want to
speak with you."

Ere this order could be obeyed, the first mate of
the brig appeared on the scene, touched his cap out
of deference to the owner, and said to the captain: —

*^ Excuse me, sir, for interrupting, but a schooner has
just put out from land and is heading this way. As she
seems to be sweeping, I thought I'd best report her."

"Sweeping, is she? Then you are quite right in
reporting her, Mr. Tewksbury ; for any vessel that
can afford to use sweeps must be uncommon strong-
handed as well as uncommon anxious to get along.
I pray to God she may not prove one of the bloody
pirates we've been hearing so much about lately.
Bend on your stun-sails and head off shore ; we'll
give her a wide berth as long as we can."

" Pirates ! " exclaimed Daniel Breeze, as the mate
turned to obey this order ; " you don't mean to say,
captain, that there are pirates in these waters."

"Not that I know of, sir, from having seen 'em

16 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

or even by direct report; but there have been
ugly rumors floating round lately concerning some
of those South American privateers that were fitted
out to prey on Spanish commerce and calling them-
selves ^ Brethren of the Coast.' It has been said as
how some of them, not finding Spaniards as plenty
as they'd hoped, have took to regular pirating and
are chasing every merchantman they sight without
regard to flags. I was intending to speak to you
about it before we got to New York, and ask you for
an armament as well as for a few more hands."

" I wish with all my heart you had done so before
we left La Brisa."

" I would, sir, if I'd had any definite information,
though I didn't suppose you could supply us with
guns short of New York."

" No more I could, but I would have left my boy
at home in safety instead of risking his life among
pirates. However, they may not prove as bad as you
think."

" I hope not, sir, for they are almost certain to
overtake us if that is their object, and with our dago
crew we'd have no chance of standing 'em off."

" What weapons have you? "

" A couple of fowling-pieces, as many pistols, and
half a dozen old boarding pikes that I picked up for
a song at a condemned store's sale in New York."

Under a cloud of light canvas the brig was per-
ceptibly moving through the water, though not a

FIBST APPEARANCE OF LATROBE 17

breath of air was to be felt. At the same time the
suspicious schooner was so rapidly overhauling her
that there was no doubt of her being propelled by
some other force than the fitful breeze.

All at once there came from her a sharp report, a
jet of white smoke, and a cannon-ball flew over the
brig to plump into the water fifty yards beyond.

"That settles her character," remarked Daniel
Breeze, grimly ; " keep moving, captain, till the last
moment; I'll be with you again directly."

Thus saying, the heavy-hearted parent went below
in search of his idolized son who, with Latrobe, had
disappeared from the deck some minutes earlier. He
found them in the stateroom, where the negro was
giving the child his supper.

"Do you know the way into the hold, boy?"
demanded Daniel Breeze.

"Si, Senor, Ido."

" Then carry this child there at once to the safest
hiding-place you can find. Do not on any account
let him come on deck, until all trouble is over. Here,
take this, and keep it for him in case I should never
demand it of you again."

With this the man took from about his body a
broad money belt, heavy with gold, and handed it to
the negro. Then he snatched up his boy, pressed
him to his heart, kissed him half a dozen times, and
abruptly left the room to regain the deck and there
await manfully whatever Fate might hold in store.

CHAPTER III

CAPTURED BY PIBATES

On regaining the deck Daniel Breeze could see
that the distance between the two vessels had been
materially lessened.

"Yes, sir," said the brig's captain, noting the
direction of his employer's glance. " They are com-
ing upon us hand over fist, and they can pky with
US like a cat with a mouse."

" We can still make a fight for our lives," replied
Daniel Breeze, displaying a brace of pistols that he
had brought up from below.

" Of course, sir, we can always do that ; but the
crew won't fight. Their looks show how they feel
about it."

Besides the proprietor of La Brisa there were but
two white men aboard the brig, its captain and first
mate. The second mate was a Spaniard, the cook
was a negro, and the seven men composing the crew
were Cubans. These were now grouped forward,
leaning on the rail and watching the schooner in
sullen silence. The second mate occupied a position
in the waist, about midway between the crew and
the three white men who were gathered aft. The

CAFTUBED BY FIBATES !•

cook stood just outside his galley^ trembling with
fright, his face the color of ashes. The schooner
was now near enough to show that her deck was
crowded with men.

*'^ Run up the American flag,'' commanded Daniel
Breeze. " If they fail to respect that, then God help
usl"

A minute later the stars and stripes fluttered from
the main peak, but its appearance was only greeted
by yells of derision from the schooner and another
shot. With its roar came a crash and a rending of
wood aloft, while the brig's f oretopmast, severed at
the cap, pitched forward. As it fell in a tangle of
sails and rigging, several heavy blocks dropped to
' the deck, and one of these, striking the negro cook
fairly between the shoulders, instantly killed him.

" Stand by to clear wreckage ! " shouted the cap-
tain with a sailor's instinct^ springing forward as he
spoke, and followed closely by the first mate. In
another moment the treacherous crew, starting aft as
though to obey the order, and hoping to propitiate
the pirates by their cowardly act, had fallen upon
the two unsuspecting men with their knives.

Daniel Breeze saw the second mate raise his arm
to strike the captain, and as the blow descended the
man also fell, shot through the head. Dropping
another of the scoundrels with his remaining bullet,
the big American leaped into the fray, hurling his
empty pistols into their faces as he went. Thea

aO BRETHREN OF THE COAST

he seized a handspike and fell upon them with an
irresistible fury that would have driven every last
one of the wretches into the sea, had he not been
suddenly deprived of his strength by a cowardly
blow from behind. The man left at the wheel had
whipped out his knife, deserted his post, and run
forward in time to save his comrades from the right-
eous wrath of the terrible Yankee.

As the latter staggered and fell, those who were
left of the crew turned with yells of triumph upon
the wounded and helpless Americans, but before
they could complete their bloody work the deck of
the unfortunate brig was swept by a volley of
musketry from the approaching schooner. So
deadly was its effect that not a man was left stand-
ing; and when, a few minutes later, the pirates
swarmed aboard, they were opposed only by dead,
dying, or wounded men. For a moment even
they stood aghast at the awful scene, then their
leader, a swarthy fellow with neatly trimmed mus-
tache and a pointed beard, who would have been
handsome but for the evil expression of his face,
cried out : —

" Overboard with them all 1 We can't be bothered
with wounded prisoners any more than by dead
men."

As the pirate leader spoke he stooped to examine
the body of the nearest white man. It was that of
the brig's captain, who was unmistakably dead.

CAPTUBED BY PIRATES 21

The first mate was still alive and groaning, but the
man only gave him a contemptuous kick as he
passed. In another moment the poor fellow had
been tossed into the sea. Daniel Breeze had fallen
face downward, and the Spaniard turned him over
to gain a look at his features. As he did so he
sprang to his feet, uttered a savage exclamation, and
into his face flashed the expression of concentrated
cruelty that had already won for him the name of
Diablito (Little Devil).

^^ Lash this man to a mast," he said to his fol-
lowers, " and leave him there. I wish to speak with
him when he recovers his senses."

While his men were carrying out his orders, the
leader entered the cabin with cocked pistols in his
hands and satisfied himself by thorough examination
that it was empty. Returning to the deck, he or-
dered both vessels to be anchored until a breeze
should spring up, and set all hands to work clearing
away the tangled wreckage of the brig's f oretopmast.
When this was done the pirate crew returned to
their schooner for supper, after which half a dozen
of the most reliable were selected to keep watch on
the brig. The others indulged in a carouse to cele-
brate what they were pleased to term "their vic-
tory," and a certain amount of liquor was even
smuggled to the steady ones aboard the prize. As
a consequence, before the night had passed, every
pirate on board both vessels was so overcome with

22 BRETHREN OP THE COAST

drowsiness that only their leader, wrapped in a cloak
and pacing the after deck of the brig, remained
awake.

There were, howeyer, other wakeful souls on
board the blood-stained brig. One of them was her
lawful owner, Daniel Breeze, who had struggled
back to a semi-consciousness only to find himself
helplessly bound, tortured by pain, burning with
fever, and suffering the torments of an unquenchr
able thirst. He tried to call out and beg for
water, but could only make a low moaning, not to
be heard above the stertorous breathing of the sleep-
ing men about him. As he slowly recalled recent
events, he realized that the brig must have fallen
into the hands of pirates, and he groaned aloud at
thought of the fate awaiting his idolized boy.

This sound attracted the attention of a white-clad
figure, who, after a cautious survey of the situation
from the forecastle hatch, had just ventured out on
deck. He stopped and listened.

" God have mercy," muttered Daniel Breeze, and
in another moment the white-clad figure was kneel-
ing by his side, whispering words of comfort.

" Water I " gasped the sufferer ; and Latrobe
brought it.

" Is my boy safe ? " whispered Daniel Breeze, after
drinking eagerly of the life-giving fluid, and after
Latrobe had loosened the cruel bonds that he dared
not sever entirely.

CAPTUBED BY PIRATBS tS

**Si, Senor, safe and sleeping."

" Thank God ! But what will become of him in
the hands of these scoundrels ? They must surely
discover him."

"Without doubt, Senor."

** And murder him ? "

" I think not, Sefior. I believe they will hold
him and you for ransom."

" If they only would, I would pledge La Brisa to
save his life. But, Latrobe, in any case, you will
stand by him to the end?"

" To the end, Sellor, will I serve him."

" And teach him always that he is an American as
well as a gentleman ? "

*' He shall not be allowed to forget."

" Latrobe, can I not see him once more ? Can't
you bring him to me?"

" It may be, Sefior, I will try."

« God bless you I "

The negro slipped away and without making a
Bound reentered the forecastle, from which there was
communication with the hold. The latter place was
full of vile odors, and, after the cool air of the deck,
its stagnant heat was suffocating.

Little Theo had protested with all his strength
against being brought into this place of black ter-
rors, and Latrobe had experienced the greatest diffi-
culty in keeping him quiet, but the child had finally
fallen into a heavy slumber. Now realizing for the

24 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

first time how noxious was the air of the place,
Latrobe was alarmed, though not surprised, to find
the boy lying in a stupor from which it was impos-
sible to rouse him.

Taking the slight form in his arms, the negro
regained the deck with all speed, and slipping un-
noticed into the galley, strove, with the aid of cool
water and fresh air, to arouse his little charge. Ere
he so far succeeded that the child opened his eyes,
a faint light in the east announced the coming of
day, and at the same time the sleepers lying about
the deck began to stir. The child was still too
dazed to comprehend what was said to him, and
with a heavy heart, but in pursuance of a plan he
had already considered, Latrobe lighted a fire in the
galley stove. Then he began to prepare a pot of
coflfee. The fragrance of this soon attracted atten-
tion from the men, and they crowded clamorously
about the galley door. Latrobe had made a bounti-
ful supply, and now he gave each a tin cupful, hot
and strong. He also gave them bread in abun-
dance.

Although they regarded him curiously, they said
nothing, but took what he gave them and retired,
without having noticed the child who lay in a
corner. With a sigh of relief at their departure
Latrobe bent over the boy, who was now wide awake,
and persuaded him to swallow a few sips of coffee.
While he was thus engaged he was startled by a

CAPTURED BY PIRATES 26

harsh voice demanding in Spanish to know who he
was and what he was doing.

Springing to his feet, Latrobe confronted the pi-
rate leader, who, coming forward to examine his
prisoner, had been attracted to the galley.

" I am Americano, Sefior, and spik not ze Span-
ish," replied the negro, knowing by instinct that
this was the pirate chief.

" Le diable I " growled the other, and then in
English, even more imperfect than that of Latrobe,
he repeated his questions.

" I am ze cooka of ze brig," answered the negro,
forcing a smile, ^^and I mek ze cafe for ze man.
Will ze Senor not drink of ze cafe? "

The Spaniard accepted the proffered cup, but as
he sipped it his glance fell on the little Theo, who in
turn stared at him with unabashed gaze.

"Whose child is that?" asked Diablito.

"It is one of a passenger," answered Latrobe,
evasively.

" Is it not the child of the Senor Danbrisa ? "

" It may be, God knows. I am but ze cook."

With a quick movement the pirate seized Theo by
an arm, dragged him from the galley, and set him
in front of Daniel Breeze, who still leaned against
the mast to which he was bound.

"Papa I " cried the boy, struggling to twist himself
from Diablito's grasp.

" O God 1 " groaned the wounded man. " Manuel

BRETHREN OF THE COAST

Lopez, for his life and my own I will deed you La
Brisa."

" Oh ho 1 so you recognize me, Senor Danbrisa,"
sneered the Spaniard. "Then you doubtless remem-
ber that with a whip you once struck me in the face.
Then you transported me in this very vessel to a dis-
tant land. Now, as you see, I am returned. Now
I am master of the ship and of every life it holds,
including yours and that of your son. Now I grasp
the whip, and it is your turn to feel the sting of its
lash."

CHAPTER IV

DIABLITO'S BEVENGE

Whatever hopes of escape or of being held for
ransom had passed through the mind of Daniel
Breeze during the past hour, were instantly dispelled
when he recognized in the pirate chief the faithless
steward whom he had once exiled from Cuba. He
knew the man's innate cruelty too well to hope for
mercy, and also that his thirst for vengeance would
demand a deep draught now that it was within reach.
Therefore the helplessly wounded American remained
sUent, paying slight heed to the words of his tor-
mentor, but gazing fondly at the face of his child.

" I discovered you when first I came on board this
vile brig," continued Manuel Lopez. " Of course I
could have had you tossed overboard with the rest,
but I preferred to wait until, with renewed conscious-
ness, you could share my pleasure in the renewal of
our acquaintance. In the meantime, I have spent a
delightful night of anticipation, and behold the re-
ward of my forbearance is doubled by the discovery
of this brat who proves to be of your spawn ; doubt-
less, also, he is the most highly prized of all, as, if I
remember rightly, the others were girls. Now I axsv

28 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

only considering whether I shall wring his neck, cut
his pretty throat, or toss him to the sharks that are
waiting hungrily alongside for just such a tender
morsel."

As he uttered these words, Diablito swung the
child toward the ship's sail as though to put his
last threat into execution, and the action drew from
Daniel Breeze an involuntary cry.

" Ah I that fetches you, does it? I thought I could
manage to break your haughty silence. But I was
not going to drown him, for I have decided to let
him live. In order," he added slowly and after a
considerable pause, "to bring him up to my own
trade. Yes, he shall be taught the art of piracy in
every branch, until his name is synonymous with all
that is generally considered infamous ; until he has
learned to despise and hate the breed from which he
is sprung ; until he has covered his father's memory
with dishonor ; and until finally he shall dangle from
a yard-arm, detested by all the world. How does the
picture — ah ! you wolf's whelp ! "

This exclamation was of mingled rage and pain,
for the child, giving over his fruitless struggles to
escape, had suddenly buried his sharp little teeth in
the man's hand until they drew blood. The latter
flung the boy from him like a venomous serpent,
and Theo, though falling heavily, ran to the sanctu-
ary of the galley.

Wiping the blood from his hand, Manuel Lopez

DIABLITO'S REVENGE 29

continued : " Rest assured, Senor, that he will pay-
dearly for this, and that kicks, blows, and curses
shall be his in generous measure. With your boy's
future thus pleasantly outlined, we will now attend
to your own case. To begin with, and to return
insult for insult, you having once struck me in the
face, I now spit in yours."

With this the man deliberately suited his action
to his word. After a moment's pause to gloat over
this indignity, he said : —

" To end with, you having consigned me to exile,
I shall now do the same for you, only making sure
that you shall be sent to a place from which you
will never return. Adios, Danbrisa."

As he uttered this mocking farewell, Diablito
drew a pistol from his sash, deliberately cocked it,
slowly raised it, and pointed it at his victim's head.
For half a minute he held it thus, with his finger
on the trigger, then he lowered it. Twice was this
operation repeated in a space of three minutes, dur-
ing which time the American gazed unflinchingly,
and without the quiver of a muscle, into the face of
his tormentor.

Then came a sharp report; the brave head
drooped slowly forward, and the dauntless spirit of
Daniel Breeze winged its upward flight.

Until the very last, Latrobe, watching the scene
from the galley, and knowing that the pirate leader
had recognized the brig's owner, had not beUa^^^V^^

aO BRETHREN OF THE COAST

would kill him. He had been furious at the man's
harsh treatment of Theo, and had with difficulty
restrained himself from flying to the child's rescue.
Upon the little one's escape he had soothed and
petted him, all the while noting closely the move-
ments of Diablito, though unable to hear what he
said.

When the latter drew a pistol, and Latrobe saw
that the life of his patron was endangered, he made
a frantic attempt to save it by running to the crew
and bidding them stay their leader's hand. Forget-
ting his assumed ignorance of Spanish, he appealed
to them in that tongue.

" Interfere, my friends, and stop him. The pris-
oner is the Senor Danbrisa, the wealthiest man in
Cuba, and his life is worth the ransom of a king. If
he is killed, you will lose a million of pesos."

Aroused to sudden action by these words, the
men made a rush toward the scene of tragedy, but
reached it too late. Startled by their clamor, Diar
blito wheeled fiercely upon them.

"What is the meaning of this?" he cried.
*' How dare you offer interference between me and
my prisoner ? "

" He was our prisoner as well," replied one of the
bolder spirits, taking upon himself the office of
spokesman, "and he was worth a king's ransom.
He was the Senor Danbrisa."

" I know that, you fool. And it is because he was

THi vTy<' Yo'^"^

PUBLIC U^HaXY

DIABLTTO'S BEYEKGE 81

the Senor Danbrisa, who had wronged me and mine
more than any other in all the world, that I have
sent him from it. But you shall not suffer by loss
of his ransom. Of this brig and her cargo I will
take no share. It is all yours to divide. If it is not
enough, you shall have more until you are satisfied."

" But," persisted the spokesman, " is not the child
whom we saw here his son, and may not a ran-
som— ?"

** No 1 " thundered Manuel Lopez. " He is my
nephew, the son of my only sister and her English
husband. He was bom at La Brisa, where I was
manager of the estate, and soon afterward both his
parents died of the fever. The child thus fell to
my care, but having neither experience nor facilities,
I allowed him to enter the nursery of Danbrisa.
The Senor having no son, but desiring one, wished to
adopt my nephew, but I would not consent. To
carry out his design he accused me of theft and
caused me to be transported to a distant land.
From that time the boy was brought up as his own,
and it was to obtain revenge on one so powerful
that I joined the Brethren of the Coast.

** Now my vengeance is complete, and I have re-
gained my nephew, who was doubtless being taken
to the country of los gringos to be turned into a
loathsome Yankee. From that fate he is saved, and
hereafter he shall be as my own son. His name is
Danbrisa Lopez.

82 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

^^ I have thus explained, that you and all men may
understand the situation. Now for me the subject
is closed, and I desire to hear of it no more. So,
overboard with this carrion, up anchor, and let us
away to the Devil's Den (La Caverna de Diablo),
where you can examine your prize in safety and at
leisure."

Thus it happened that Daniel Breeze found a
sepulchre in the blue Caribbean waters, while his
little son, hardly conscious of his great loss, sailed
&way in the pirate schooner La Vengenza for his new
home behind the rocky headland of Cape Cruz.
Latrobe was also transferred to the schooner, Dia-
blito telling him that being in need of a cook, he
would allow him to live in that capacity so long as
he behaved himself and made no attempt to escape.
The negro was also informed that for the present he
would be expected to care for Diablito's nephew, the
little Danbrisa Lopez.

" You will make him forget as quickly as possible
his former life," concluded the Spaniard, " and teach
him to regard me as his father."

" I will make him believe what is possible, Sefior,"
replied Latrobe. " But what can a poor black man
do ? I am but the cook."

Behind Cape Cruz is a salt-water lagoon bordered
on its seaward side by a great mangrove swamp, the
home of millions of hideous blue land-crabs, and
weU-nigh impassable to human beings. On the

DIABLITO'S REVENGE 33

other side, the land is high, rocky, and covered with
a dense tropical growth. In the clififs are caves
capable of hiding thousands of men or many ship-
loads of merchandise. Close at hand, in a depression
between the hills, a fine spring of sweet water bursts
from the ground, and pours a crystal stream into the
sea. While the lagoon is large enough to accommo-
date a fleet, it is so landlocked that its surface is
rarely ruffled by a breath of wind, while any ship
lying behind its mangrove screen is completely hid-
den from outside observation.

Here, then, had nature formed a typical piratical
rendezvous, within striking distance of well-travelled
waters, and capable of easy defence ; but only re-
cently had it been appropriated by the reckless fol-
lowers of Diablito. For several years Manuel Lopez
had served in subordinate positions on regularly
commissioned privateers, as well as in craft that
openly displayed the black flag of piracy. From the
first, he had shown qualities of daring, shrewdness,
and the merciless cruelty that had won for him his
name. He was also an efficient commander, and
when he finally took up the trade of piracy on his
own account, he found no difficulty in attracting
recruits to his sable standard.

Although at the time of capturing the Siren he
had maintained a separate command but a few months,
he was already an important figure in the rapidly
spreading band of freebooters styling themselves

34 BRETHKEN OF THE COAST

*' Brethren of the Coast," who were taking advan-
tage of the universal state of war to prey upon the
world's commerce. The entire Spanish Main, in*
eluding the coasts of Mexico, Central and South
America, was infested by these piratical brethren,
and now they were spreading among the West
Indian Islands. Especially did they resort to Cuba
and Santo Domingo, on both of which they found
willing confederates in the inhabitants.

Of all these outposts of lawlessness none was more
infamous than the chosen haunt of Diablito, to which
little Prince Theo of La Brisa was now being taken
for an education in the career of a pirate.

CHAPTER V

IK "LA CAVEBNA DE DIABLO "

Although but recently selected as a rendezvous,
the Devil's Den liad already assumed the air of a
brisk settlement. Several houses and a number of
pahn-thatched huts stood in the vicinity of the
spring, and about these swarmed women and chil-
dren, dogs, goats, pigs, and fowls. A battery had
been placed so as to command the entrance to the
lagoon, and signal stations were located on the
neighboring hills. Merchandise in great variety had
begun to accumulate in one of the caverns set
apart for it, and friendly communication had been
established with the scanty population of the adja-
cent country, who willingly acted as agents for the
distribution of the pirates' ill-gotten goods. They
also brought information concerning the movements
of vessels bound to and from near-by ports, for
which they received liberal payment.

The return of La Vengema and her prize having
been announced by signal, the entire population of
the Devil's Den was gathered on the lagoon beach,
full of curiosity to learn what had taken place.
Accompanying Manuel Lopez in the first boat were

86 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

the only prisoners of the recent affair, and these
were at once conducted to the principal building of
the settlement, which the pirate chief made his head-
quarters when ashore. Here Latrobe was placed
in charge of the culinary department, while Theo's
piratical education was immediately begun.

It happened that several of the resident children,
filled with curiosity concerning the new boy who
had been brought to dwell with them, followed him
up to the great house. Even after he had disap-
peared within its sacred precincts, to which none
of them was ever admitted, they lingered in the
vicinity, hoping for another sight of him. When,
a little later, he reappeared on the veranda, home-
sick for La Brisa and gazing scornfully at his new
surroundings through tear-dimmed eyes, these ap-
proached as near as they dared and examined him
curiously. At first Theo was too much occupied
with his own unhappy thoughts to take notice of
them, and even when they began to comment dis-
paragingly upon his personal appearance, he pre-
tended not to hear them. At the same time he
was listening, as was shown by the angry flush grad-
ually overspreading his face. Finallj% when one of
them declared that the stranger was not a boy at
all, but a girl, as was shown by his yellow curls,
and the others, with jeering laughter, shouted out
the opprobrious epithet " nifiita pequefia^^^ the young
American's limit of endurance was reached. The

IN "LA CAVERNA DE DIABLO" 37

blue eyes blazed with wrath ; and, snatching up a
stick that lay at hand, he rushed so furiously upon
his tormentors that they fled before him with screams
of terror.

One, the largest and until now an acknowledged
leader among the infant pirates, tripped and fell
as he ran, whereupon Theo attacked him with all
the ferocity of a young tiger. He beat him with
his stick until the victim's howls brought his mother
to the rescue. She snatched him to a place of safety,
and would in turn have chastised the aggressor had
not Manuel Lopez appeared on the scene at that
moment, and sternly bade her stay her hand. He
had been an interested and highly amused spectator
of the entire episode, and now he said to the
woman : —

"Whoever dares strike this child must reckon
with me, since he is my adopted son and will some
day be chief of this community. Therefore beware,
you and all others, that he is not crossed in whatever
he wills to do. If any have complaints against him,
they must bring them to me. Come, Danbrisa, thou
hast borne thyself like a true member of the Brother-
hood, and hereafter the little dogs will no more dare
bark at thee."

Diablito then led the child, flushed with his victory,
back to the house, where he regaled him with sweet-
meats and praised extravagantly the spirit he had
shown.

88 BBETHREN OF THE COAST

From that hour Prince Theo ruled the children of
the Devil's Den with the same imperious sway that
he had exercised at La Brisa, and even their elders
accorded to him the deference due to one under the
especial protection of Diablito. As for the latter, his
treatment of Theo varied according to his moods ;
generally indulgent to the child's whims, and abet-
ting him in every form of self-assertion, he sometimes
went to the opposite extreme, and beat him for the
most trivial offences or even for no offence at all, but
merely because he felt in the humor for so doing.

As a part of their training in this school of piracy,
the children of the community were encouraged in
their natural tendency to cruelty toward any help-
less creatures so unfortunate as to fall within their
power. Thus they were allowed without rebuke to
pluck the feathers from trapped birds, to thrust
thorns into their eyes and let them go thus blinded
to flutter in helpless misery, or to practise any other
mode of torture upon a^als that suited them.
Such things formed favorite amusements among the
little savages who had become companions to Theo
Breeze, and he, too young to realize their cruelty, did
not hesitate to share them.

That is, he did so for a time, but finally there
occurred an incident that changed the whole current
of his feelings in such matters. La Verigenaa brought
in another prize, this time an English vessel, on board
which was a dog of mongrel breed and no particular

IN ««LA CAVERHA DS DIABLO" 89

value. Gaining the shore this poor brute was imme-
diately set upon by the resident curs and very nearly
killed, to the intense delight of the children who
gleefully witnessed his battle for life. At length it
was suggested that, being a gringo, the stranger dog
ought to be hanged from a yard-arm as his late mas-
ter had been, and the young wretches hailed the
proposition with gladness. The other dogs were
beaten off, a cord was procured and fastened about
the neck of the gringo, a limb was selected to repre-
sent a yard-arm, and the poor, half -dead creature
was strung up amid a shrill chorus of acclamations.
With his struggles the cord broke, and he fell gasp-
ing to the ground. Before his tormentors could
procure another cord, the dog, guided by instinct
more wonderful than knowledge, dragged himself to
the feet of our young American, and feebly wagging
his tail gazed into Theo's face with pleading eyes.

In an instant the child's generous nature responded
to this dumb appeal, and he flung his arms about the
dog's neck with words of loving pity. The animal
gratefully licked his preserver's face, and when the
other children approached clamorous for their victim,
Theo sprang at them with such an outburst of fury
that they fled before him.

" It is my doggie," he screamed. " He kissed me
because he loves me, and if you ever touch him again,
I will kill you, I will kill you all, and throw you into
the cave of bones ! "

40 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

" But he is a gringo, and you helped hang him,"
suggested one of the fugitives, halting at a safe
distance.

" Because I did not know how loving he was ; but
I will never help you any more to hang dogs, or hunt
birds, or anything; and if you do it, I will kill you."

Thus was promised an era of peace for the birds
and beasts of the Devil's Den ; but unfortunately he
who promised it was but a weakling in the hands of
a higher power. This was no other than Diablito
himself, who, unobserved by the children, sat at an
open window close to where the described incidents
were taking place. This shrewd leader, realizing
that a boy is father of a man, and being desirous of
training a band of young pirates according to his
own ideas, watched and studied the children of his
freebooting community whenever he could do so
unnoticed. Of course he was particularly interested
in the development of the boy whom he intended for
their future leader, and rejoiced over every exhibi-
tion that he made of cruelty, pugnacity, or a domi-
neering spirit.

In the present instance a smile of satisfaction had
played across the leader's face as he listened to the
plan for hanging the gringo cur. He was even more
pleased when Theo, claiming the dog as his own,
drove off its tormenters.

" The little devil I " muttered Manuel Lopez.
*'So he would kill them if they did what pleased

IN <<LA CAYERNA DE DIABLO'* 41

him not ? He will make a leader to force obedience,
and one whose fame for cruelty will spread farther
even than that of Diablito. But what is this I The
brat talking about loving, and forbidding the others
to hurt animals I I must put an end to that non-
sense in a hurry."

The whole expression of the man's face had
changed, and was overspread by a blackness of
evil passion that a demon might have envied.
Emerging from the house, he seized Theo by an arm,
and roughly jerked him back from the dog he had
been protecting. At the same time he gave the ani-
mal a kick, and called out to the hesitating group of
children : —

" Here, you, hang me this gringo cur at once.
Such as he are not fit to live, and the sooner he dan-
gles from a yard-arm, the better."

As they eagerly sprang to obey this order, Theo,
his face white with fury, and struggling to es-
cape, screamed at them to let his doggie alone.
Then recalling a former scene of similar character,
he attempted to achieve his own liberty by biting
the man who held him. This time he failed in his
effort, but gained instead a beating, so cruel as to
frighten even the hardened little wretches who wit-
nessed it. They finished their work with the un-
fortunate dog as quickly as possible, and then slunk
away, fearful lest the wrath of Diablito might next
be directed against them. At the same time^ he^

451 BBETHEEN OF THE COAST

satisfied that he had taught the son of Daniel Breeze
a lesson not soon to be forgotten, let go of the child
and strode into the house.

From the moment of the first blow Theo had not
uttered so much as a whimper, and now left to him-
self he stood trembling, while all things swam before
his eyes as in a mist. He was filled with a hatred
against Manuel Lopez so intense that it seemed as
though he should die of it. For a few moments the
child stood dazed and motionless. Then he slowly
groped his way, as though walking in darkness, to
his one place of refuge, the hut of Latrobe, where,
in the arms of that faithful comforter, he sobbed as
though his heart would break.

CHAPTER VI

AN ATTEMPTED ESCAPE

Fbom the day of their arriYal at the Devil's Den,
Latrobe had shown a wonderful degree of circum-
spection. He had done his best to render himself
invaluable to his new master, always appearing
cheerful and willing, devoting all the skill he pos-
sessed to the tasks assigned him, at the same time
keeping himself out of the way and to himself as
much as possible. While all this was done for the
sake of Theo, whom he had promised Daniel Breeze
to serve and care for as long as he was allowed, La-
trobe was wise enough to affect an indifference to
the boy in public and appear to care for him merely
because ordered to do so. Neither did he force his
presence upon the child, but always waited for the
latter to come to him with his needs or troubles.
With all this he never lost sight of his self- assumed
responsibility. He had promised the dying father
not to let his boy forget that he was by birth an
American and a gentleman, both of which things
the pirate leader desired banished from his mind as
quickly as possible.

Thus, whenever they were alone, and especially

44 BBETHBEN OF THE COAST

when Latrobe was putting the child to bed or sitting
beside him until he fell asleep, he talked to him of
La Brisa, of his father, mother, and sisters, of Lesbia,
his dear nurse, and strove to keep the memory of
these ever fresh in Theo's mind. He also described
from his own slight knowledge, but with vivid im-
agination, the wonderful northern country from
which Daniel Breeze had come, to which Theo be-
longed, and where he would sometime go, until, to
the child, it was invested with all the alluring possi-
bilities of fairyland or heaven, which to him were
one and the same.

These secret conversations, which to our lad took
the place of story books and nursery tales, were
always carried on in English, a tongue that would
otherwise have quickly become lost to the child.
At first he spoke it much better than did his in-
structor, whose knowledge of the language was
extremely limited ; but after a while his accent be-
came that of Latrobe, and he jmnbled his words in
the same queer way.

Although Manuel Lopez had ordered that the boy
should always be addressed by the name he had
given him, a custom that Latrobe was obliged to
follow on most occasions, he never failed at these
private interviews to call his young charge by his
real name in full, which he pronounced Tay-o-feel-o
Guil-ler-mo Danbrisa. This, he told the little fel-
lowy was his American name ; and thus it became

AN ATTEMPTED ESCAPE 46

inseparably connected with Theo's confused ideas of
the northern fairyland to which he would some day
be taken.

For some weeks prior to the day of the cruel
punishment inflicted to drive all ideas of love and
pity from the boy's heart, Latrobe had been
anxiously conscious that his influence over Theo
was weakening. Manuel Lopez had treated the boy
with unusual kindness; he was exhilarated by his
acknowledged authority over the other children,
and was fascinated by the pursuits into which they
lured him. As a consequence, he found less occasion
to avail himself of Latrobe's services than at first,
and they saw little of each other except when he
was put to bed. Even then he was generally too
tired to care for the oft-repeated fairy tales of La
Brisa and Los Americanos, which now only served
to put him to sleep the more quickly.

So poor Latrobe was in despair, and on the mem-
orable evening of the beating was unhappily try-
ing to conceive of some new plan for winning back
his young charge. Thus, while he was furious that
any one should have dared abuse the child, he was
pleased that the latter had been once more driven
to him for consolation.

" Soh, Sugar Sweet 1 wha ze mat ? who huttin mah
boy ? Tell Latrobe ze mat ? " he murmured, holding
the sobbing child in his arms, and striving to com-
fort him. After a while, little by little, he gained a

46 BBETHBEN OF THE COAST

yague idea of what had taken place, and then his
rage knew no bounds. Had Manuel Lopez been
within reach at that moment, his life would cer-
tainly have been in danger. But a better plan
even than the killing of Diablito gradually assumed
form in Latrobe*s mind. They would escape from
the Devil's Den that very night, make their way to
the nearest place where there were soldiers, and send
them back to destroy all the pirates. The negro
had vaguely considered this plan for a long time;
but Theo had appeared so content with his new
life, that the former had feared he would not con-
sent to leave it, and knew that to carry the child
away against his will would be impossible. He
sJmost recoiled now from the danger of the attempt,
as he realized its difficulties, but was determined to
make it. Even should both of them be killed, it
would be better than for the son of Daniel Breeze
to grow up a pirate. Latrobe had already made
cautious inquiries about the surrounding country,
and had found that while range after range of
savage mountains extended to the eastward where
no man lived, the region lying north of the Devil's
Den, though heavily wooded, was much more level
and comparatively well inhabited. Also, in that
direction, and only about thirty xmiles away, lay the
seaport of Manzanillo, whence he could obtain trans-
portation to any part of the island or even to the
United States* So he had set his heart on reach-

AN ATTEMPTED ESCAPE 47

ing Manzanillo, which he proposed to gain by boat.
There were always plenty of these used for fishing
or turtling drawn up on the beach of the lagoon,
and he believed he could obtain possession of one
^thout difficulty. He had, in fact, done so one
night and fished from it for a couple of hours
undetected.

Now, therefore, he told Theo that they would run
away from the bad men, and return to his own dear
home, but charged him to the utmost secrecy. Ap-
parently comprehending the proposition, the child
willingly agreed to it, and wished to set forth at
once, but Latrobe persuaded him to wait, and even
pretend to be asleep until it should be time for
them to start. Then he left the boy lying quietly
on his own humble pallet while he went to pre-
pare supper in the great house.

" Where is Danbrisa ? " demanded Manuel Lopez,
as he caught sight of the black man.

" I found him sleeping in my hut, Senor, and, as
he seemed to have been weeping, thought best not
to disturb him," answered Latrobe, quietly.

*' What was the cause of his weeping ? "

**Who knows, Senor? A child weeps for many
things so trifling that he forgets them after he has
slept."

^^ I shall take pains that he does not forget this,"
muttered the pirate leader. Then aloud he added,
^^ This time he may remain where he is, but it must

48 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

not happen again, for I do not choose that my
son should sleep in, or even enter, the hovel of a
negro."

" I will try that this shall be the last time, Senor."

By midnight Latrobe had selected his boat, and
placed in it provisions, water, and several other
things for their proposed voyage. With all thus
prepared he returned to his hut, and without being
detected bore the sleeping child to the water's edge,
where he placed him on a rug in the bottom of the
boat. Then he pushed off from shore and softly
paddled out over the still waters of the black lagoon.

The night was without sound and very dark ; but
to one who had studied the way as carefully as La-
trobe there was no difficulty in directing a course
toward the outlet. One thing caused him anxiety,
and that was the wonderful phosphorescence of the
water, stirred into startling brightness by each dip
of his paddle. Every drop falling on the surface
was a living flame, and each ripple became a line of
molten silver. As he neared the mouth of the out-
let, and was hoping that these flashes of light might
not be visible beyond a narrow circle, he was sud-
denly terrified by a hoarse hail from directly ahead.

" Who goes ? "

Startled as Latrobe was by this intimation that
the outlet was guarded, he still had sufficient pres-
ence of mind to reply, in the thick voice of another
negro also held as a slave by the pirates : —

AN ATTEICFTED ESCAPE 49

**It is only. Domingo, Senor, trying to catch a few
fish for his breakfast."

" Very good, Domingo, only carry on your fishing
at some other point, for as sure as you come closer
to this place by one boat's length a leaden bullet
will make bait for fishes of your black carcass ; go,
then, and go quickly."

As this order from the still unseen guard was
accompanied by the ominous click of a musket lock,
Latrobe hurriedly obeyed, and paddled back to a safe
distance. There he paused, bitterly chagrined at
this failure of his plan at its very outset, and reflected
as to what he should do.

It would be almost as dangerous to return as to
go forward, since Domingo would certainly deny
having been on the water that night, and he as the
only other negro in the community would at once
be suspected. Also, he must get Theo away from
that dreadful place if possible. So he finally decided
to land as near the mouth of the lagoon as he dared,
take a circuit through the forest to the coast, and
attempt to make his way on foot to Manzanillo.

In carrying out this plan he was forced to leave
most of the things he had provided for the journey
in the abandoned boat, for he knew he would be
compelled to carry Theo nearly, if not quite, all the
way. So he took only a bag of food that he slung
over his back, and a cutlass that he strapped about
his waist ; then with the wondering child in his arms,

{

€0 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

he plunged into the black depths of the forest. He
had gone but a short distance before he discovered
the folly of attempting to make headway before
daylight, and halted to await its coming.

Eyen with it to make plain the way, his path was
so beset with difficulties and his progress was so slow
that when, after a whole day of painful toil, the
fugitives reached the bank of a deep, rapidly flowing
stream, Latrobe knew it to be the Rio Limones, and
that they were not more than two leagues from their
place of starting.

As the river might not be crossed without a boat,
Latrobe followed along its bank in the hope of
meeting some place of human habitation, and finally
discovered a poor hut, evidently belonging to a fish-
erman. A man, its sole occupant, sat in the doorway
smoking, and gave the fugitives a curt greeting after
a furtive but searching examination through his half-
closed eyelids.

"You have a boat, Senor?" began Latrobe.

«Si."

" Will you take us to Manzanillo?

**If you can pay.

*♦ I have money and will pay one doubloon.'

" In advance ? "

" If you so demand and will start at once."

So the bargain was concluded, one of Latrobe's
gold pieces passed into the hands of the fisherman,
and a few minutes later the three, embarked in a

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PUMLIC LIBRARY

ASTOn, LKNOX AND

T£LD«N FOUNDATIONS

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AN ATTEMPTED ESCAPE 61

smaU yawl-rigged boat, were sailing toward the
mouth of the river.

The wind was light, the motion of the boat sooth-
ing, and our wearied fugitives, one held in the other's
arms, soon dropped asleep. When this happened, the
course of the boat was changed, and an hour later she
was halted by the patrol guarding the narrow water-
way that led to the Devil's Den.

CHAPTER VII

BBAKDED FOB LIFE

Much as Latrobe had discovered regarding Dia-
blito's management of his freebooting conmiunity,
many of its details were still hidden from him, as
indeed they were from most of the residents in the
Devil's Den. Thus he had not known of the night
patrol recently established at the inlet, nor did he
imagine how widely the pirate leader had extended
his influence. The negro had thought himself almost
overcautious in not disclosing to the fisherman the
fact that he had just made an escape from the pirates,
and would have done so without hesitation had the
man asked questions or offered the slightest encour-
agement. That the latter had not shown curiosity
was because of the swift-sailing boat sent out to warn
the coast as soon as it was discovered that Theo and
Latrobe were missing. It had not only touched at
every settlement and offered a reward for their cap-
ture, but had even gone as far as Manzanillo, where
Diablito's agent was warned of what had taken place.
So, even had the fugitives succeeded in reaching that
point, they would never have left it alive except as
captives on their way back to the Devil's Den.

BRANDED FOB LIFE 63

The fisherman knew who they were the moment
he set eyes on them. In fact, he had just returned
from searching for them, and regarded their coming
to him as an especial favor of a kind Providence.
He was wise enough to demand pay in advance for
whatever service he should render ; and later he be-
lieved himself equally wise in neglecting to report
this fact. Thus, it was not discovered that Latrobe
was possessed of money.

When the latter, awakened by the hail of the
patrol, attempted to sit up, he found his arms firmly
lashed to opposite sides of the boat so that he could
not move. He was not, however, left in any doubt
as to where he was or what had happened, for as the
patrol boat ran alongside the situation was promptly
explained.

" You are in luck, amigo," remarked one of the
guards, as the fisherman told how, after he had
searched in vain for the fugitives, they had come
directly to him. '*As for you, you black rascal,"
continued the guard, speaking to Latrobe, " you will
be in luck if the chief is content with slicing off
your ears and giving you a hundred lashes, instead
of slitting your throat, for running off with his son.
He is furious, I can tell you, as he has a right to
be."

A little later, the beach from which the runaways
had started on their unfortunate trip was reached,
and Diablito was notified of the success of his plan.

54 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

By his order the fisherman was rewarded and sent
on his way rejoicing. Latrobe, still bound, was
thrown into a small cave that served the pirates as a
dungeon, and poor, sleepy little Theo, only partially
realizin&r what had happened, was carried away to
his ovm bed.

Early the next morning several men busied them-
selves in erecting, on a level space near the spring, a
strange-looking structure of two stout posts sunk in
the ground and connected at the top by a wide
board. This had been sawn in two, lengthwise,
hinged at one end, and from the middle of each piece
a semicircular space had been cut, so that when
they were brought together a round hole, some six
inches in diameter, was formed. The structure was,
in fact, a rude pillory, and the entire community
speculated as to its use. Especially did the chil-
dren gather about it, filled with excitement and
curiosity.

They had not long to wait, for hardly was it com-
pleted before Latrobe was led from his dungeon ;
and, with his arms still bound behind him, was fas-
tened in it by the neck. About this time, too, a
small fire was started close at hand, and into it one
of the pirates thrust some strange-looking instru-
ments, the like of which the chUdren had never
seen. When everything was thus ready, and the
entire community had, by special order, been gath-
ered about the pillory, Diablito appeared, leading

BRANDED FOB LIFE 66

Theo by the band. Taking a position in front of
the unfortunate negro, be said : —

"You black scoundrel, you attempted to run
away ; and worse tban tbat, you tried to steal from
me the adopted son whom I bad publicly declared
sbould some day become tbe leader of my people.
For tbis crime you deserve deatb ; and you sbould
die in some extremely interesting manner, but for
tbe fact tbat I still bave need of you as a cook. For
tbat reason alone your life sball be prolonged until
I can catcb anotber to take your place. Also, tbat
your usefulness as a cook may not be impaired, I
sball refrain from putting out your eyes, and so
making sure tbat you would not again run away.
But tbat I dislike to bave maimed people about me
I would slice ofiE your ears, and I cannot tear out
your tongue because I wisb you to answer wben
spoken to. Tbus, you see, I bave been put to some
trouble to decide exactly bow to deal witb your
case ; but I tbink I bave at lengtb bit upon a mode
of punisbment tbat will be satisfactorily painful,
witbout rendering you unfit for duty. At tbe same
time, it will effectually put an end to your attempts
to escape from tbis place. Carcelero, you may
proceed."

As Diablito gave tbis order, a man wbo bad been
bending over tbe fire took from it tbe curious-look-
ing instruments, and stepped in front of tbe belpless
prisoner. Lifting one of tbe irons, wbicb was red

66 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

hot, he pressed it for an instant against Latrobe's
forehead. The latter shrieked with pain, and there
was a sickening odor of burning flesh. Twice more
was the cruel operation repeated, and then the
negro's forehead was branded forever with the
shameful letters C. P. V. (convicta por vida).

** There 1 " exclaimed Diablito, with an air of satis-
faction, when the infamous deed was completed,
"you will think twice before again running away,
now that you are branded as a life convict ; for, as
you doubtless know, every inhabitant of this island
is ordered to kill on sight any such person found
outside the penal settlements. Even in other coun-
tries, including the United States, such a brand is
not only a disgrace that would cause all men to
shun you, but it would render you liable to be ar-
rested and returned to Cuba. So, my black friend,
it is for your interest to remain quietly here during
the remainder of your natural life. Sabe ? "

As the suffering black, into whose very brain the
terrible letters seemed to be seared, made no answer,
the man continued : " For the present you will remain
where you are ; and, until you are released, I forbid
any person — man, woman, or child — to offer you
assistance. Now go," he added, addressing the as-
sembled spectators. "The show is over."

As the crowd scattered, Diablito returned to his
house, and Latrobe was left alone except for a few
children, who remained to jeer at him and gloat

BRANDED FOR LIFE 67

oyer his sufferings. These also amused themselves
with reheating the branding-irons that had been left
lying on the ground, and burning their fatal letters
into the woodwork of the pillory. Choking with
thirst and tantalized by sight of the spring close at
hand, the wretched prisoner begged for water ; but
the little devils who alone heard his appeals only
answered them with mocking laughter.

While this was going on Theo was nowhere to be
seen ; for, the moment he realized what was about
to be done to his friend, he had broken loose from
the hold of Manuel Lopez and ran beyond sight or
hearing of the cruel punishment. After a while
curiosity got the better of his horror, and he ven-
tured back to where he could see the children en-
gaged in their sport of petty torment. For a few
minutes he watched them, his heart swelling with
rage until it seemed like to burst. When, at length,
he saw them bring water from the spring and hold
it within a few inches of the prisoner's swollen lips,
his rage could no longer be restrained. The biggest
boy of all, who had already once suffered from
Theo's wrath, was standing on tiptoe holding at
arm's length the tantalizing cup, while the others,
gathered close about him, were eagerly watching
Latrobe's face, and mocking him with shrill cries.
So intently were they engaged that none noticed the
avenger creeping up behind them. As he passed
the fire he snatched from it one of the branding-

58 BRBTHREN OF THE COAST

irons, and springing forward thrust it with all his
might against the back of the boy who held the cnp.
As the venomous iron bit its way into his flesh,
the startled lad dropped his gourd of water, and fled
screaming with pain and terror. In another moment
the others had also scattered and disappeared like a
covey of frightened quail, leaving Theo, still bran-
dishing his smoking iron, master of the situation.
For a moment he gazed after the runaways in
triumph and dared them to come back. Then he
heard the piteous moan, ** Water I for the love of God,
water I " and realized that there was still much to be
done. Picking up the gourd he refilled it at the
spring, but was not tall enough to lift it to Latrobe's
mouth. So he ran to the nearest hut and fetched a
stool, standing on which he placed the gourd to his
friend^s eager lips. Next he procured a knife and
severed the cords confining the prisoner's arms ; and
then, looking to see what else might be done, dis-
covered that the halves of the board forming the
pillory were only fastened by a wooden peg thrust
through staples. Mounted on his stool and using the
branding-iron as a hammer, Theo managed to drive
this out ; and Latrpbe, lifting the upper half of the
confining timber, was at length released from his place
of torture. Then, taking his friend by the hand,
the child led him away to his own hut and no one
of the many who witnessed the act dared stop him
or utter a protest. At the same time they imagined

BRANDED FOR LIFE 59

with eager anticipation the vengeance of Diablito
when he should discover what had been done.

But the pirate chief was already aware of what
was taking place ; for, unobserved, he had watched
the scene from the beginning, and as the rescued
man disappeared with his youthful deliverer, he
made no move to stop him. Instead, he chuckled
to himself and muttered : —

•* The little devil I He fears nothing, not even
me ! What a leader of fighting men he will some
day make I "

CHAPTER VIII

THE ADVENT OF A RIVAL

After the unsuccessful attempt to escape and
its cruel result, just recorded, Latrobe hopelessly
accepted the situation. He had been made to
realize how completely he was within the power
of the pirates, and of what little use freedom would
be, even could he gain it, now that he was branded
with the infamous mark of a life convict. Thus he
had nothing left to live for, except to watch over
the little Theo and guard him as far as possible
from unhappiness. To accomplish this end he re-
sumed his former plan of attending diligently to
his assigned duties, and at the same time shunning
observation. This he carried to such an extent
that, except to Theo, he rarely spoke to any per-
son, and thus soon gained a reputation for morose-
ness that caused all men to avoid him.

About this time occurred an incident that exer-
cised a powerful influence over the lives of both
Theo and Latrobe. It was nothing more nor less
than the marriage of Manuel Lopez to the daughter
of another leader among the Brethren of the Coast,
and the coming of his bride to the Devil's Den.

THE ADVENT OF A RIVAL 61

She was young and handsome with a wild dashing
style of beauty, and it was quickly established that)
on shore at least, her authority was supreme. From
the first she showed a liking for Theo, petting him
and haying him constantly with her. She called
him her little page, and devised beautiful costumes
for him from the rich fabrics brought home by her
husband. As Theo readily responded to the affec-
tion thus bestowed, the child and the woman be-
came inseparable, and the former now found so
little occasion to avail himself of Latrobe's services
that often for days they did not exchange a word.
The boy was indeed " Prince Theo " now, even more
than he had been at La Brisa ; for not only was he
apparelled, fed, housed, and served like a prince, but
throughout the community in which he dwelt his
word was law and his slightest wish was, if possi-
ble, gratified as soon as expressed.

So affairs remained for the best part of a year,
and, in the hot sunshine of cloudless prosperity,
Theo grew so tyrannical that tlie entire settlement,
except his adopted parents and the devoted Latrobe,
hated him, while to its younger members he had
become an object of genuine terror.

With the pinnacle of his glory thus reached, a
second incident, or rather series of incidents, occurred
that effected another change, and tumbled Prince
Theo down among the hard realities of life with a
bewildering suddenness. On a certain day, when

eai BBETHBEN OF THE COAST

he was unusually domineering over some of his play-
mates, and was finding pleasure in causing them
much unhappiness, a woman remarked within his
hearing that his adopted mother would no longer
oare for him if it should happen that she had a son
of her own, which was more than likely.

Filled with a vague imeasiness, Theo at once re-
turned to the great house, determined to ask her
whom he had learned to call his mamma, what the
woman had meant. To his dismay he found in the
house several other women whom he had never seen
there before, and who told him that his adopted
mother was too ill for him to be allowed in her
presence. As nothing like this had ever happened
before, the boy became furious, and was therefore
treated to the further indignity of being put outside
the house.

Diablito was away on a cruise, or as much as Theo
still distrusted the man who had beaten him during
the earlier days of their acquaintance, he would have
gone to him to redress this outrage. As it was, he
sought the long neglected Latrobe, but to his dis-
gust, found even this friend too busy to listen to him
just then. So the bewildered boy wandered moodily
off into the forest, determined never to return to a
place where every one was so hateful. The approach
of darkness, however, caused him to waver in this
decision, and, besides, he was hungry. Perhaps it
would be wiser to go back just for the night, and to

THE ADVENT OF A RIVAL Q

secure something to eat. But he would not enter
the great house so long as those horrid women were
there — that was certain.

Thus thinking, the boy crept unobserved to La-
trobe's hut, where he was pleased to find his friend
at leisure to attend to his wants. The negro even
seemed to be expecting him, for he had a nice supper
ready and a hammock swung as though for a guest.

" You stay wiz me to-night, Sugar Sweet. 'Cause
zey so biz in ze big house, I feared zey not meek you
comf, you know. You got leetly buzzer, eh ? "

** I hate a little brother ! I won't have a little
brother I There isn't any little brother I " exclaimed
Theo, vehemently, between mouthfuls of the food he
was greedily eating.

In spite of this declaration the little brother
proved to be a fact, when, on the following morn-
ing, Theo was invited to visit his adopted mamma.
Allowing his desire to hear her deny that absurd
little brother story to overcome his pride, our lad
consented to do so, and was conducted to where she
lay, looking very pale, but smiling at sight of him.
For a moment the happiness of once more being
with her banished all other thoughts, and he sprang
forward to fling his arms about her neck, but she
warded him oflf, saying : —

" Be careful 1 Don't come too close, or you might
hurt little brother. Look I Don't you want to see
him'? "

64 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

Then it was true after all. Yes, there lay the
horrid thing itself. A lump of wax, with two black
beads stuck in for eyes. As Theo stared, speechless
with rage, the babe wrinkled up its apology for a
face, and began to wail in a most disagreeable
manner.

** There 1 There 1 " murmured the mother. ** Did
the bad boy frighten mamma's darling? But he
shan't hurt my pet, and he shall go right away."

" I'm glad I frightened it. I won't go away 1 I
shall hurt it I " screamed Theo, whereupon he was
rudely pulled from the bed by a strong-armed nurse,
and dragged without ceremony from the room.

From that moment the reign of Prince Theo was
ended, and he was so filled with jealous rage against
his rival that he could think of little else. Although
he was still tolerated in the big house, being allowed
to sleep and eat there, he was at all times and in all
ways given to understand that his position was no
longer what it had been. The Senora Lopez was so
completely absorbed by her new possession that she
found no time for anything else. Nor was she in-
clined to favor the openly avowed enemy of her own
darling son, and the example thus set was promptly
followed by all other members of the community.
Although its children as yet hardly dared openly to
defy Theo, they no longer obeyed his commands or
followed his leadership ; while their elders treated
him with either a contemptuous indifference or an

THE ADVENT OF A RIVAL 65

assumed pity that was worse. Most galling of all
were the praises of " little brother " dinned into his
ears from all sides for the express purpose of arous-
ing his wrath.

In this hour of trouble he had but one hope
left, and, strangely enough, this lay with Manuel
Lopez.

Heretofore the boy had rejoiced at Diablito's ab-
sence on the long cruises that occupied so much of
his time ; but now he longed for his return, f eeUng
assured that he would restore all his old-time privi-
leges. A woman might prefer a toothless, hairless,
and altogether disgusting-looking baby, to a strong,
handsome, well-grown boy like himself ; but he was
confident that a man would show better sense.

So Theo watched eagerly for the first glimpse of
Diablito's home-returning vessel, and when it finally
entered the lagoon, his heart beat high with hopeful
excitement. He forced his way into the front rank
of those assembled on the beach to welcome their
chief, and stood where he was sure the latter must
see him when he stepped ashore. He even shouted
out a greeting as the boat touched the sands, but his
voice was drowned in the cries by which those about
him announced to the anxious parent that a son had
arrived during his absence.

" Viva, muchachito 1 " they cried.

** Viva, nino pequeno ! "

So elated was Manuel Lopez by this joyful news.

eS BRETHREN OF THE COAST

that, paying no heed to any person, he sped up the
hillside to where his son awaited him.

Theo, disappointed, but still hopeful, ran after
him. " When he sees what an ugly little thing it is,
he will not care for it," he said to himself. But
never was a hope dashed to the ground more speed-
ily than this one ; for as our lad gained the main
entrance to the great house, Manuel Lopez appeared
from the inside, proudly bearing his infant son in his
arms that he might display him to his followers.

" Out of my way, Danbrisa 1 " he cried, noticing
Theo for the first time, " and make room for my son,
who will some day be your master. Behold, my
friends 1 Is he not splendid ? See how he smiles
on you, and he not yet a week old I Is it not marvel-
lous ? What a comrade he will make ! What a
leader of good fellows I To be the father of such a
one is a joy greater than the capture of a thousand
ships."

Thus was Theo's cup of misery filled to the brim,
and in the exceeding bitterness of his heart he knew
that but one thing remained to be done. He must
kill that detestable "little brother," even as his pirate
associates killed all who stood in their way. He had
a small dagger, given him long ago by her who had
been his adopted mamma, to wear with one of his
page's costumes, and now it should be put to a good
use.

That night Manuel Lopez was moved by a sudden

THE ADVENT OF A RIVAL

impulse to rise from the feast to which he had bidden
his followers, and steal away for a look at his
sleeping son. As he noiselessly entered the dimly
lighted chamber, he saw that the nurse dozed in her
chair. Then he caught a glimpse of something that
flashed above the sleeping infant. In another instant
he had flung Theo Breeze with a crash through a
near-by window, as he would have flung any one, or
anything, that threatened to harm his child.

CHAPTER IX

A YOUNG OUTCAST

From the hour of Theo's attempt to live up to his
teachings and get rid of his rival by the simple
process of killing him, our poor lad was outcast and
miserable in the place where he had once reigned
supreme. For days he was forced to remain in
closest hiding to escape the wrath of Diablito, and
during this time Latrobe was only able to visit him
with food at night. When the pirate leader again
went to sea, and the unhappy boy ventured to appear
once more in the light of day, he found himself in
the position of one who had forfeited all claim to
human love, pity, or kind treatment. He was no
longer allowed to enter the great house, and was
driven away if he even appeared within sight of it.
From the adults of the community he received only
blows and harsh words, while with those nearer his
own age, who were now became his chief tormentors,
he was obliged to fight for very existence or fly for his
life if they attacked him in overwhelming numbers.
He became ill-kept and ragged, and but for Latrobe,
who still remained faithful to him, he would have
starved. As it was, food could only be smuggled to

A YOUNG OUTCAST 69

him at irregular intervals, and often in insufficient
quantities. To supply this deficiency he naturally
became a fisherman and a hunter of small animals
that might be used as food.

In this pursuit of a livelihood he learned from
necessity, that most exacting of all teachers, the
arts and secrets of woodcraft, as well as to unravel
the simpler mysteries of the sea. Spending much
of his time on or in the water, it grew to be almost
a native element ; and, with constant practice, he
acquired the faculty of swimming beneath its sur-
face for more than a minute at a time.

He learned to swim with such rapidity that he
often succeeded in catching turtles or crayfish
with his hands, at the bottom of the lagoon, and
had no fear even of the great sharks that infested
it. With constant out of door exercise his slender
body grew hard and supple. As he was more often
naked than clad, it was browned from head to foot
by the hot tropic sun ; while through the tan of his
cheeks glowed the ruddy flush of health. He was
a perfect young animal, but with a mind as un-
tutored as that of the veriest savage. So shunned
and despised was he, that he rarely spoke with any-
one save Latrobe, whom he only met at night, and
who, with his broken English, that grew more im-
perfect as time passed, could teach him but little
out of his own ignorance. They still talked of
La Brisa and its inmates; while the boy was fre-

70 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

quently reminded of his American name, Tay-o-

mental education was at a standstill.

In the earlier days of his outcast life, before the
boy had acquired the strength and self-reliance that
afterwards came to him, he was frequently driven
by his youthful tormentors to the one place of
refuge where they dared not follow him. It was
a vast and gloomy cavern, inaccessible by land, and
only to be reached from the waters of the lagoon,
which completely closed its mouth except at lowest
stages of the tide, when for a short time a narrow
opening was visible. For some distance inward from
the entrance its floor sloped upward until it reached
an elevation beyond the highest tides. Then it
stretched back on a level into unexplored darkness.
A peculiar feature of this cavern, was a vertical,
well-like shaft, extending from its roof to the sur-
face of the ground some fifty feet above, and ad-
mitting a limited amount of light. On the rocky
floor dii'ectly beneath it, lay a number of bleached
bones that gave to the place its ominous name ^^La
Caverna de Hueso" (cave of bones).

From the time of their first occupation of the
Devil's Den, it had been a custom of the pirates
to spare such of their captives as could be made
useful in building or rigging the craft they occa-
sionally constructed. When these wretches had
served the purpose for which they were wanted.

A YOUNG OUTCAST 71

they inyariably disappeared, though but few per-
sons were allowed to know their fate. Only rumor
connected these secret disappearances with the Caye
of Bones ; but it was sufficient to invest the place
with terrors that none save only our outcast and
hunted American lad dared face. He, having no
superstitious fears, and finding in the cavern a
place of refuge safe from intrusion, did not hesitate
to make use of it. He neither knew nor cared
where its bones had come from, and was only
troubled by the swarms of Sfreat land crabs that
shared it with him, noisily raUUng their claws over
its rocky floor.

In this gruesome place, then, Theo secreted such
scanty treasure as he possessed, placing any that the
crabs might fancy on ledges beyond their reach. Here
he hid the canoe that he had stolen from the beach,
his paddles, grains, turtle pegs, bow, and many other
objects more or less useful that he had appropriated
to his own use as he needed them, and here he passed
much of his time.

In single combat with any of his youthful enemies
Theo could hold his own ; but when forced to flight
by numbers, he invariably made for the lagoon, took
a header into its waters, and swam beneath the sur-
face to the mouth of the cavern, leaving his baffled
pursuers mystified by his disappearance. On several
occasions it happened that while they watched the
water until satisfied that he was drowned, he had

72 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

terrified them by unaccountable reappearances, either
close at hand, where the first notice of his presence
would be a blood-curdling yell, or on some appar-
ently inaccessible point of rock, from which he would
taunt them with bitter words. As he was never seen
to enter or leave the Cave of Bones his connection
with it was not suspected ; but it grew to be gener-
ally believed that he possessed the power of remain-
ing under water as long as he chose. For this reason
people began to call him ** El Pescar " (the fish), and
after a time this was the only name by which he was
known.

In all the years of Theo's outcast life, Diablito,
though rarely catching sight of him, had not for-
gotten his existence, but intended, as soon as the boy
became big enough, to capture him and take him to
sea as one of his piratical crew. This was what
Latrobe dreaded more than anything, and never did
he cease to watch for a chance of getting his young
charge away from that hateful place, before it should
be too late to save him. But for years no oppor-
tunity presented itself, and when the day of escape
finally came, it was Theo instead of himself who
planned it.

For a long time the pirates, having no use for
captives, had not brought any home. Then Diablito
determined to build a schooner according to his own
ideas, and from several of his prizes reserved such of
their crews as seemed likely to serve his purpose.

A YOUNG OUTCAST 73

These he took to the Devil's Den and set to work
on his new craft. Among them were Americans,
Englishmen, and Spaniards, and, strongly guarded,
they were made to toil like galley slaves. Some
broke down and died under the hardships of unre-
mitting toil accompanied by a scant allowance of
poor food. Others were stricken by fatal fevers,
and still others were killed while attempting to
escape. Thus it happened that by the time the
beautiful schooner which had already cost so many
lives was completed, only a handful of the scores
of men employed in her construction remained;
of these two were English, and the rest were
Americans.

With the schooner launched, rigged, her sails
bent, and ready to start on a cruise, the pirates had
no further use for captives who must be fed and
guarded. So Diablito promised them their freedom
in return for the services they had rendered; but
added that they must submit to be blindfolded in
order that they might not learn the trail into the
mountains where they would be set at liberty.

To this the wretched captives, overjoyed at the
thought of freedom even with a prospect of starving
in the savage Cuban wilderness, readily consented.
Thus it came to pass that, shortly before sunset of
a certain day, their eyes were tightly bandaged and
they were conducted into the forest. The path was
' rugged, and they frequently stumbled over its unseen

74 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

obstacles, but no one complained, for was it not lead-
ing them to freedom ? They had no knowledge of
the strength of their guard, and only knew that one
man walked in advance whUe several others mingled
with them.

The man who led the way was Diablito, and the
captive immediately following was Thomas Pole, an
Englishman who had been captain of the bark Arab.

Of a sudden the pirate leader stepped aside, while
the man marching immediately behind Thomas Pole
came to an abrupt halt, blocking the way of those
who followed, and leaving the English captain to
proceed alone. This he did for a few paces, and
then, without warning, he stepped off into the air,
and shot downward with dizzy velocity. He fell in
silence, but the next man uttered a great cry as his
footing seemed to slip from under him.

At this the others took alarm and were reluctant
to proceed ; but the pirates rushed them forward
ere they had time to plan any form of resistance,
and pushed them over the fatal brink. Most of
them took the plunge with bound arms, but the last
of all, a stalwart Yankee from Portsmouth, New
Hampshire, named Alvord Spicer, managed, by a
mighty effort, to burst his bonds, and with freed
hands to tear the bandage from his eyes as he was
thrust to the edge.

Like a flash he took in the situation. At his feet
yawned a black hole, apparently the mouth of a

A YOUNG OUTCAST 76

bottomless pit. It was not, however, a wide open-
ing, and on its farther side were vines and trees
whose roots grew down along its rocky face. The
man hesitated for an instant, but, as those behind
were about to push him over the brink, he launched
himself forward with a mighty spring. It carried
him clear across the opening, so that his hands
clutched a tough root, and for a moment he hung
suspended from it. Then, slipping swiftly down,
he disappeared. As he did so, a volley of musketry
from overhead severed the very root to which he
had clung.

'^It was a most amusing spectacle," remarked
Diablito, as he and his fellows sauntered homeward ;
" but the next time we must manage it better."

CHAPTER X

nr THE CAVE OP BONES

The building of the schooner, La Bruja (The
Witch), as she was called, had greatly interested
Theo, and though he had never dared approach
her closely in the daytime, he had often watched
the progress of the work from safe distances. Also
he had frequently visited her at night, creeping
cautiously over her growing frame, and studjring
the details of her construction with eager curiosity.
When she was finally launched, and he saw how
gracefully she rode the water, he longed to sail
away in her, and seriously considered a plan for
smuggling himself on board when it came time for
her to depart.

The captives, forced to toil at her construction,
caught occasional glimpses of the wild boy, as they
called him ; but learned nothing concerning him
except that his name was "El Pescar." So they
imagined him to be some half-witted unfortunate
for whom the pirate community had no use. They
did not, however, devote much thought to him,
having troubles enough of their own to consider,
without borrowing from others.

IN THE CAVE OF BONES 77

With Theo's first entrance into the Cave of
Bones, he had, of course, discovered its well-like
opening to the outer world and had determined to
use it for his own purposes. It did not take him
long to locate it on the surface, and soon after-
ward he possessed himself of a rope that would
reach to the bottom of the cave. Tying knots in
this at short distances, he made it fast to the cable-
like roots of a rubber tree, that extended well down
into the gloom of the opening. A little practice
enabled him to clamber up and down this slender
ladder with the agility of a young monkey, and by
its aid he made those mysterious appearances that
so puzzled his youthful enemies. He also used the
orifice as a convenient passage to his cave for many
things that it would have been difficult to convey
by the water route without attracting attention.
Thus he pitched into it such firewood as he needed,
besides palmetto leaves and bundles of grass for
bedding. These he had frequently to renew, not
only because he preferred them fresh and sweet,
but on account of the crabs, which delighted in
dragging them to dark hiding-places and appro-
priating them to their own use. Fortunately they,
like himself, were inclined to be nocturnal in their
habits and generally committed their depredations
at night when he was visiting Latrobe, rarely dis-
turbing his daytime naps.

So wise had this twelve-year-old boy become in

78 BBETHBEN OF THE COAST

all matters pertaining to his own safety and well-
being that he never lighted a fire for his rude
cookery where its reflection might be seen from the
lagoon, or in the daytime, when its smoke might
attract attention.

It so happened that, on the day when the pirates
proposed to dispose of their captives by compelling
them to leap down the rocky jaws of the bone cave,
Theo had been busily renewing his supply of bed-
ding. By hours of diligent toil he had collected
and thrown down the shaft a quantity of material,
including a number of elastic branches, with which
he proposed to prepare an unusually comfortable
sleeping-place. Before arranging it he was rest-
ing from his labors, and also impatiently awaiting
the coming of darkness that he might light a fire.
He was very hungry, and had caught a turtle from
which he proposed to make not only a supper, but
several subsequent meals.

At length the light filtering down through the
orifice grew dim with the approach of night, and he
began to prepare some of his turtle steaks for broil-
ing. While thus engaged he was violently startled,
as well as greatly frightened, by the sudden plunge
of a human form down the shaft. The man thus
precipitated into the cavern struck on the collected
pile of bedding material, and rolled to one side,
where he lay groaning.

Theo, who had leaped to his feet with a cry of

IN THE CAVE OF BONES 19

terror, started toward the recumbent figure, but ere
he could reach it there came another rush, accom-
panied by a scream of agony, and a second human
form was violently projected through the orifice. It
came head foremost, and lay silently motionless
where it struck. Then, in rapid succession came
another and another, until seven were piled together
in direst confusion. After these came an eighth,
but of them all he alone seemed to have come of his
own accord ; for he slid down the knotted rope and
alighted unharmed on his feet. At the moment of
his appearance a roar of musketry sounded overhead
and a shower of rock fragments rattled harmlessly
down the shaft.

" The incarnate fiends I " exclaimed the latest
comer, as he vainly strove to pierce the gloom and
discover the nature of the pit into which he had
fallen. " So this death trap is the place of freedom
they promised us I Never mind, my friends, I'll
make some of you pay dearly for your fun if ever I
get out of this alive. And I will get out, too, since
you have so kincQy provided a ladder for climbing."

With this the man again caught hold of the rope
by which he had descended, as if about to return by
it to the surface ; but at the first pull it gave way
and fell in coils about him.

" Oh, God I " groaned the man. " That ends it, and
here we must die like rats in a trap, supposing that
any still have life to yield. Hello there, shipmates 1

80 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

Is there a living soul in this place of death saye
myself?"

^^ Si, senor, one here is alive, and another I hear
groan," replied Theo, who, seeing the man plainly,
did not realize that he himself was still invisible.

" And who are you ? "

" I Americano, name Tay-o-feel-o Guil-lermo Dan-
brisa," replied the boy.

"An American, eh? Well, you don't talk it.
What are you doing here ? "

"Here it is I live."

" Oh, you do ! Then I suppose this was your
ladder, and now that it has fetched away, probably
here it is you will die along with the rest of us.
Can you strike any sort of a glim, so that we can
see what to do for my poor mates?"

"No entendez, senor."

" I mean, can you light a fire ? "

" Si, I kin ze fiah mek."

So saying, Theo produced flint, steel, and tinder,
with which he quickly started a blaze.

" Why, you are only a child I " exclaimed the man,
as its light revealed the slender form. "I know;
you are El Pescar, the wild boy."

" So I am called," replied our lad, quietly. " An'
you are one of ze Americanos who mek La Bruja ? "

" Yes," cried the other ; " and bitterly have we
been repaid for so doing ! Oh, my poor mates I
Here, son, lend a hand ! "

IN THE CAVE OF BONES 81

As gently as possible the man and his young
assistant disentangled the several parts of the human
heap formed below the shaft opening, and laid each
by himself on the floor. Two were dead, one with
a broken neck, and one killed by the others falling
on him. Both of these were Americans. The two
Englishmen were alive, though one of them had a
broken arm, and both were able to sit up. The
other three men were unconscious, while all were
bruised and cut.

Theo brought water from a pool in a remote cor-
ner of the cavern, and by its aid the unconscious
men were restored to their senses. Then, at a sug-
gestion from Alvord Spicer, who had caught sight
of the turtle meat, the youthful host of the occasion
began to broil some steaks, for which both he and
his unexpected guests were ravenously hungry. His
entire stock of provisions proving wofully insuffi-
cient to meet the demand, he suddenly darted away
without a word of explanation and disappeared in
the blackness.

An hour later he returned, and, dripping wet, had
rejoined the despondent circle about the fire before
they were aware of his presence. Nor had he come
alone, for there was a man with him, at sight of
whom Alvord Spicer sprang to his feet with a sharp
challenge of, " Who's that ? "

" A f rien', senor ; come to help you," was the
answer in Latrobe's voice.

82 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

Then the negro explained how he had just finished
preparing a feast ordered by Diablito to celebrate
the completion of his schooner, when Theo appeared
with a request for food to take to the recent captives
who through an ordeal of death had regained their
liberty and were hid in the Cave of Bones.

"Also ze chile tell me one plan," continued
Latrobe, speaking so rapidly that his imperfect Eng-
lish was extremely hard to follow. " He say, here
you will die. If ze ladrone . [pirates] come, zey will
kill you. If you fight, mebbe you die. Same time
mebbe you go free. I will help you fight; ze boy
will also fight for git away. I haf bring bread. I
haf bring knife for fight. I haf bring boata for
swim. La Bruja she sail in ze morning. Now her
mans eat, drink, on ze Ian'. If we take her and
fight ze patterol, we mebbe git away all right.
What you tink ? You come, eh ? "

** Of course we will," answered Alvord Spicer, who
was willing to risk anything on a chance of escape.

"Yes, yes," cried the others, forgetful of their
wounds and suffering, in the joy of renewed hope ;
" only show us the way out, and we will show you
how we can fight."

For the dead nothing could be done, and they
were left where they lay ; but the living, several of
whom tottered with weakness, followed their new-
found allies to the mouth of the cave. Here they
were discouraged to discover that they must not

IN THE CAVE OF BONES 83

only plunge into, but through, the black waters that
completely filled it. Alvord Spicer, however, de-
clared that he would go first, if Theo would show
him the way. The boy's only answer was a header
into the sea, and the big Yankee promptly followed
in his phosphorescent wake. In another minute the
latter returned, bringing with him the end of a rope.

" It's all right, mates 1 " he cried cheerily; " there's
a boat out there, and here's a line leading to it. Let
Eph Morris go first with his broken arm, and I'll go
with him to help him aboard. Then I'll send back
the line by the little chap, and we'll haul out any
one else that needs help."

But none of the others seemed to need help, for all
followed close after Eph Morris, and Latrobe brought
up the rear. Fifteen minutes later they had climbed
with the silence of shadows aboard the schooner La
Bruja. Then, forgetful of weakness and suffering
in their fierce desire for liberty, they prepared to
run her from the harbor and, if necessary, purchase
their freedom with their lives.

CHAPTER XI

A FIGHT FOB FBEEDOM

Feeling secure in their guarded harbor, and desir-
ous of participating in the festivities of the nighty
the crew assigned to La Bruja had landed in a
body, leaving their vessel snugly anchored just oflE
the beach. Thus, although the escaping captives
had nerved themselves to fight for possession of
the schooner, they boarded her without opposition.

Again did fortune favor them ; for they found the
vessel to be anchored by a hempen cable that could
be cut, instead of by a chain which they could neither
have got aboard nor cast loose without sounding an
alarm.

Naturally, and without protest, Alvord Spicer,
who had been first mate of the ship on which he
and the other Americans were captured, assumed
command. He issued his orders in whispers and
caused the oars of the boat in which they had come
to be muffled in the rowlocks. Then he, with four
others, got in to tow La Bruja from the harbor.
The man with a broken arm, being useless as a
fighter, was left to steer the schooner. It had been

lit*.

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LEN^X AND

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A FIGHT FOB FREEDOM 86

Alvord Spicer's intention to leave Theo on board as
well and take Latrobe in the boat ; but at the last
moment these two were not to be found. They had
come from the cavern in Theo's canoe ; but, after
the unopposed capture of the schooner, had reentered
it and slipped away unnoticed.

"Never mind, mates," muttered Alvord Spicer,
when this defection was discovered ; " they've weak-
ened and given up the job ; but it isn't likely either
of 'em would have been worth anything in a fight,
so we are just as well off without them. Are you
ready? Give way, then, and remember that the
splash of an oar may cost us our lives."

At the beginning, La Bruja hung back as though
loath to leave her birthplace. Then she reluctantly
yielded to the steady pull and began to gather head-
way. At first the rowers tugged at their oars in
silence, but with a strength born of desperation.
After a while, however, as they approached the out-
let, they began to converse in ordinary tones, and
even forced an occasional laugh. They did this to
mislead the patrol, which they now momentarily
expected to encounter, and cause them to imagine
that La Bruja was being towed to sea by her own
crew.

To carry on this conversation with well-assumed
cheerfulness was one of the hardest things they had
undertaken. To remain silent and listen with strain-
ing ears for the approach of those whom they knew

{

86 BRETHBEN OF THE COAST

they must encounter sooner or later, would have
been much easier.

It so happened that the patrol boat was at the far
end of the outlet, watching its seaward approach,
and thus the fugitives were well within its narrow
waters before they were discovered. Then came
the hail, crisp and distinct : —

« Quien va ? "

"Now, men," said Alvord Spicer, in a low but
emphatic tone, " give way lively and go for 'em I "

As he spoke, he cast off the tow-line, and leaving
La Brvja to drift, the boat sprang forward in the
direction of the hail. Again it came from close at
hand : —

" Quieu va ! Answer quick, or I fire."

" Amigos," replied Alvord Spicer, hoping thus to
gain a few seconds. But his accent betrayed him, and
a musket shot from the patrol sent its ominous warn-
ing far and wide through the stillness of the night.

" Way enough ! Oars I " shouted the Yankee
leader, and in another moment the two boats had
crashed together.

Muskets, pistols, and cutlasses in the hands of
seven strong men on one side, were opposed only
by clubbed oars wielded by five fugitives weakened
by wounds and suffering on the other. But the
five fought with the energy of despair, and for a
few moments the issue was at least doubtful. Then
came disaster.

A FIGHT FOR FREEDOM 87

Alvord Spicer from his place in the stern had
felled one of the pirates, and was ahout to repeat
his crushing blow when the two boats surged apart.
He could not stay his descending oar, which, with
the very force he had imparted to it, overbalanced
and plunged him into the sea. At the same time
another of the Americans received a pistol ball in
his body, and sank helpless to the bottom of the
boat.

With yells of triumph the pirates attempted once
more to close, that they might finish the three who
remained. As they thus strove, and while their
whole attention was turned in that direction, a
black object, gliding like a swift-moving shadow,
appeared on the opposite side of their boat. From
it a crouching figure leaped among them, cutting
and stabbing with such fury that in a twinkling the
tide of battle was turned. Latrobe's hour of ven-
geance had come ; and with each death-dealing blow
of his terrible knife he uttered a shrill scream : —

" Uno por convicta I

" Uno por — por !

" Uno por vida ! "

Thus for each letter branded in livid scars on his
forehead he claimed a human life. He might have
taken more, for so panic stricken were the pirates
by this fierce assault that they seemed incapable of
resistance ; but, with the fall of his third victim
the patrol boat was suddenly capsized by some

«8 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

unseen force. There was a confused struggle in the
water, and then Alvord Spicer swam to his own
boat, while Latrobe clambered into the canoe that
Theo held in anxious waiting. The first battle for
liberty had been fought, and no one of the pirate
patrol remained to tell its story.

Even the victors had no time to talk it over or
to comment on Latrobe's opportune appearance and
splendid work. They knew that the alarm must
have reached those on shore, who would not tamely
submit to the theft of their schooner. So they
pulled back to La Bruja with all speed, guided by
the shouts of the Englishman who had been left on
board. Even as they again picked up her tow-line
there came a roar from the heavy battery command-
ing the inlet, and a ball aimed by chance rushed
perilously close above their heads.

The badly wounded man was hastily transferred to
the schooner, Latrobe took his oar, and the tedious
operation of towing was resumed. Alvord Spicer,
with Theo to help him, remained on board the ves-
sel to loosen sails and have them ready for hoisting
with the first puff of a breeze that might be ex-
pected as soon as the coast was well cleared.

" That other schooner will be after us, sure," said
the big Yankee, as he and his youthful assistant
cast off the mainsail stops. ^^ I shouldn't be sur-
prised to see her any minute, for they'll put a crowd
aboard and sweep her out in a hurry." As he spoke

A FIGHT FOB FREEDOM 89

the man peered anxiously astern. His reference
was to La Vengema^ which had been anchored a short
distance beyond the vessel they had stolen.

" No, Senor," laughed Theo, " not quickly will zey
come." Then he explained how he and Latrobe had
gone aboard La Vengema^ brought away her capstan
bars, and so fouled her anchor chain with a toggle of
rope that it would jam either way in the hawse.
" Also," concluded the boy, " we did wiz knifes cut
her ropes till we fraid some more to stay. No, she
will not quickly come. La Vengenza,^^

" Good for you, boy I " cried Alvord Spicer.
** You are a trump, and your black friend is another.
In the hurry of getting off I never thought of those
things myself, though I ought to. Ha I there goes
a signal fire. It's a warning to the other Brethren
to look out for us, I suppose. What say, son ? "

" La canoa," repeated Thoe, who was plucking at
the man's sleeve and trying to divert his attention
to some floating object that only his keen eyes were
able to detect.

** A canoe, is it ? Where away ? Yes, I think I see
it. Ahoy, there in the boat. Come on board.
Now, boy, let's run up these jibs and see if we can't
give her steerage way."

By the time the head-sails were hoisted and
sheeted home, the rest of the crew had gained the
schooner's deck. They cast their boat adrift as
being too heavy to tow, but got Theo's dugout on

00 BBETHBEN OF THE C0A8T

board, so that they might not be absolutely without
a small craft in case of emergency. Then they
went to work with a will at the sails, hoisting,
loosing, and sheeting home, until they had spread
to the faint night air every inch of canvas the
schooner possessed. Under it she drifted out to sea,
but with so sluggish a movement that the fugitives
heartily blessed the forethought of Latrobe in delay-
ing their pursuers. As it was, they were uneasily
conscious of being followed and watched by swiftly
darting, shadowy forms, that the sharp-eyed Theo
declared to be canoes, each holding a single occu-
pant.

"Spies, watching our course," muttered Alvord
Spicer; "but I will fool them yet." With this, as
they were now well clear of the land, he headed the
schooner to the northward as though for M anzanillo.
He steered, while his exhausted mates attended to
their hurts or rested after their exertions. Only
Theo, who was a regular little night owl, and the
Englishman, Thomas Pole, kept watch with him.

After running a couple of hours, during which
time the breeze sensibly freshened, Alvord Spicer
put the schooner about and headed her for the open
waters of the Caribbean Sea.

" What's that for ? " demanded Thomas Pole,
when the slight confusion resulting from bracing the
foreyards had subsided and the vessel had settled
down to her new course.

A FIGHT FOB FREEDOM 91

** Because it seems to me best," was the reply.

" But I thought you were running for Manzanillo,
and still think it the port we ought to make. It is
the nearest place where we can find a British consul
to whom to report and turn over this vessel."

" I don't want to report to any consul, nor turn
over this schooner until she has carried us many
a mile from the island of Cuba."

" How came you captain, anyway ? " asked Thomas
Pole, who felt that because he had formerly been a
master, while Alvord Spicer had only been mate,
he was entitled to command in the present in-
stance.

"I made myself captain, and am backed up in
my position by three American sailors," answered
Alvord Spicer.

" I, too, Americano, Senor," broke in Theo, who
had conceived a great liking for the big Yankee
sailor.

"Four Americans," said Alvord Spicer.

" And Latrobe," persisted Theo.

"Five Americans. Have you any objections to
make ? "

For answer Thomas Pole only turned on his heel
and walked away.

A few hours later, however, when sunrise disclosed
a schooner that was immediately pronounced to be
La Vengema under a press of canvas, and standing
across the course of the fugitives, the Englishman

02 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

remarked, "The British government will hold you
responsible for this, Mr. Spicer."

" British government be hanged I " rejoined the
Yankee, savagely ; " and you will, too, if you don't
jump forward and get to work. Ready about 1 "

CHAPTER XII

THE WORK OF A TRAITOR

In spite of Alvord Spicer's effort to throw the
pirates off his track, Diablito seemed instinctively
to have divined the true course of the fugitives,
and had planned his own accordingly. So com-
plete was his success that the first thing disclosed
by the rising sun was La Bruja coming directly
toward him. Promptly as she was put about she
was still within range of his long twelve-pounder,
and as she presented a fair broadside mark, a ball
from it speedily crashed through her weather bul-
warks, killed the wounded American, who lay on
deck, and sent a shower of splinters flying in every
direction.

Having no ammunition, the fugitives could not
reply if they would, so they grimly awaited their
fate, at the same time attending diligently to the
trim of their sails. No one as yet knew La Bruja^%
speed, nor how it would compare with that of the
older schooner, which up to this time had been con-
sidered the fastest thing of those waters.

The next shot tore a jagged hole in the new
mainsail, and fell into the water some distance

04 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

ahead; but the third dropped astern. To be sure,
it was so close as to drench the deck with its
spray, but it gave proof that the fine lines of the
newly built craft had not been designed in vain,
and so filled the fugitives with hope that they
raised a cheer.

Another shot fell short of its flying mark, and
after that the pirates ceased firing in order to
devote themselves strictly to the business of the
chase. They wet down their sails, and employed
every art known to seamanship for gaining speed,
but all to no purpose. La Bruja fully justified her
name, and proved herself a veritable witch at sail-
ing. Before a steady breeze and under her immense
spread of canvas, she developed such marvellous
speed as made the swift Vengenza appear a sluggard
by comparison. Her knife-like stem cut through
the blue Caribbean waters with the sound of rend-
ing satin; while from her lean quarters streamed
a long-drawn, eddying wake, that flashed in the
sunlight like the tail of a comet.

" Oh, you beauty I " cried Alvord Spicer, as his
practised eye measured the ever increasing space
between pursued and pursuer. "I was made to
sweat heart's blood in building you; but you are
worth every drop of it."

So long as the wind held, the safety of the escaped
prisoners was assured; and, losing interest in the
pursuer, whom they no longer feared, they began to

THE WORK OF A TBAITOB M

attend to their own affairs. Their first duty was to
consign to a sailor's grave the mangled remains of
their shipmate, who had at least died in the freedom
for which he had so bravely fought. A pool of
blood marked the place where he had lain, and they
attempted to wash it away, but it had already
soaked so deep into the new wood of the deck that
its stain was indelible.

While the others were thus engaged, Latrobe, who
had naturally gravitated to the galley, prepared
breakfast from such materials as were at hand.
When he served it in the cabin, and those who had
been willing to hail him as a comrade the night
before, caught their first glimpse of his face by day-
light, they looked at him askance. Every one of
them knew the meaning of the terrible letters
branded on his forehead, and they said to them-
selves : —

"No wonder he fought so well,— -he had every-
thing to gain, and nothing to lose."

They did not say this aloud ; in fact, no one spoke
to him, save only Alvord Spicer, who greeted him
as cordially as ever, and commended his cooking.
Also Theo, whom the big Yankee had seated at his
right hand, was impelled by excitement and great
joy to fling his arms about the black man's neck,
at the same time exclaiming : —

** We Americanos now, Latrobe ? '*

*^ Yes, little boy, we are now Americansi" replied

06 BBETHBEN OF THE COAST

the negro in Spanish, but as sadly as one who had
just been exiled forever from his native land.

Soon after breakfast was over, La Vengema was
lost to sight below the horizon, and the fugitives
were at last free to lay a course in whatever direc-
tion they pleased.

"I hope, now that you have shown into what
danger your pigheadedness can lead us, you will be
wiUing to listen to the advice of more experienced
persons," remarked Thomas Pole to the acting
skipper.

"Meaning yourself?"

"I did not say so."

"Well, then, what do you advise?"

" I advise running for Jamaica, where at the port
of Kingston we can place our case in the hands of
honest British officials."

"How about placing it in the hands of honest
American officials ? "

" Where will you find them ? " demanded Thomas
Pole, with a sneer.

"In every foreign port, sir, where there is an
American consul," thundered Alvord Spicer. "And
in every port of the United States, to one of which
I mean to carry this vessel."

"Then, as a British shipmaster, I demand that
you first set me ashore in the nearest British port,
which happens to be that of Kingston, Jamaica."

" That is too far out of our course ; but I shall

THE WORK OF A TRAITOB 97

take pleasure in setting you ashore on the first land
we sight, which will probably be either the eastern
point of Cuba or some portion of Santo Domingo."

*'And so swindle me out of my share of prize
money?" cried Thomas Pole, angrily. "No, sir,
sooner than reUnquish my rights in that respect I
shaU remain on board this schooner just as long as
you do."

" Then you'll be apt to remain on board until she
drops anchor off the city of Portsmouth, New Hamp-
shire, U. S. A., to which place I propose to take her.
It is a port where all are treated according to their
deserts, without fear or favor, and where every soul
aboard this schooner who has done his duty will
receive his just share of whatever she may bring at
public sale."

" You don't mean that you intend the life convict
and the half-witted pirate spawn who hangs about
his neck shall receive equal shares with us white
men ? " snarled the Englishman, finding thus a new
source of grievance.

"No, sir, I do not. I mean that each of them
shall receive a double share ; since but for them,
neither you nor I would be alive at this minute.
Have you no spark of gratitude in your make-up
that you can speak slightingly of those who have
rendered us such notable service ? "

"They but made use of us to aid their own
escape."

06 BBETHREN OF THE COAST

^^And if they did, have we not also made xiae
of them? Gould we have escaped without them?
But that will do. We will no longer discuss the
subject. You may go forward and stand by for
orders."

^^ I am no foremast hand."

** By Heavens, sir, you are, and will be so long as
I retain command of this schooner. So step lively,
or I shall be compelled to regard your conduct as
mutinous and treat you accordingly."

For a moment the man hesitated ; then discretion
got the better of his valor, and he walked away, mut-
tering to himself as he went.

At this time the War of 1812 between the United
States and England was still fresh in the public
mind, and there was much bitterness of feeling be-
tween the people of the two countries. British
' sailors were especially sore after the rough handling
given them by the American navy, and were ever
ready to pick a quarrel with the hated Yankees. In
the present instance this animosity had been buried
beneath a common danger, but with a return of
security it broke out afresh. Captain Thomas Pole
also felt aggrieved that he had not been given com-
mand of the schooner, and as he walked forward
he vowed vengeance against the Yankee who had
humiliated him.

As he moved away, Latrobe, who had been wait-
ing for a chance to speak, approached and announced

THE WOBK or A TRATTOB 90

80 short a supply of provisions on board that, it
would not last more than three days.

"That's bad," said Alvord Spicer, reflectively,
^and we must see what can be done. But look here,
my man, what is the meaning of that brand on your
forehead? Are you an escaped convict ? "

"Senor, I good man an' I free man. Diablito put
him zis mark for kip me from run away.".

" I can believe it of him," admitted Alvord Spicer.
^' But how about the boy, El Fescar ? Is he the son
of a pirate ? "

**No, Senor," cried Latrobe, indignantly. "He
Americano, name Tay-o-feel-o Guillermo Danbrisa."
Then he related Theo's history from the date of his
birth to the present time, and when he had finished,
Alvord Spicer gave vent to a thoughtful whistle.

After dismissing the negro, the big Yankee called
Theo to him and asked him many questions. As a
result he became satisfied that Latrobe's story was
true, and he determined that the wishes of Daniel
Breeze in regard to the education of his son should
be carried out.

" I owe you a big debt, yoimg man," he said to
Theo, " and I don't know how I can better repay it
than by putting you in the way of getting just such
a Yankee training as your father wished you to
have. So I am going to carry you to Portsmouth,
New Hampshire, where I was bom, and turn you over
to my old dad, the Reverend Enoch Spicer, who still

100 BRETHBEN OF THE COAST

lives there. He is a learned man, and on account of
what you have done for me, will care for you as for
his own. In the meantime we will look up your
relatives, and let your folks at home know where
you are."

"I Tay-o-feel-o Guillermo Danbrisa — I Ameri-
cano," replied the boy, who had gained but a vague
idea of the other's meaning.

"That's right," laughed Alvord Spicer, "and if
I'm not mistaken we'll make a mighty good Ameri-
can of you, too."

By this time La Bruja had been put on her
proper course and was headed toward the Wind-
ward Passage. As the day wore on, her skipper,
mindful of his short supply of provisions, gradually
edged her in toward the Cuban coast, where, as he
hoped, he finally had the satisfaction of running
down several small boats loaded with turtle. He
would gladly have bought their cargoes, but having
neither money nor goods to exchange, was compelled
by necessity to confiscate them and wish the fisher-
men good luck in catching more.

On one of these occasions, when running out of a
deep bay, the crew of La Bruja were startled to see
a large ship standing across its mouth.

" A frigate 1 " cried Alvord Spicer, " and a Brit-
isher by her bull-dog topsails. I only hope she will
go on about her own business, leaving us to attend
to ours.'*

THE WORK OF A TRAITOR 101

Not caring to invite suspicion and the meddle-
some investigation that would be certain to follow
if he should turn back, he stood boldly on. The
frigate also held her course without paying any
attention to La Bruja until the skipper of the latter
was heaving a great sigh of relief that the danger
wa. past ; thenfaU of a sudden, the frigate majefti-
cally rounded to, backed her maintopsail, and fired
a shot across the schooner's bows.

" What in thunder ! — " began Alvord Spicer,
when a cry from one of his crew interrupted him,
and he followed the man's horrified glance aloft.
There, to his consternation, he saw, streaming bra-
zenly out from La Bruj(^% main peak, the ominous
black flag of piracy.

CHAPTER XIII

"ADIOS, MY LITTLE ONE'*

Instantly realizing the consequences that might
follow the display of that detested flag, Alvord
Spicer gazed at it for a moment in consternation.
Then he sprang to the signal halyards and tore it
down. But he was too late ; the mischief had been
wrought, and already a boat filled with armed men
was putting out from the frigate's side.

Glancing hurriedly about him, La Bruja^^ skip-
per sought for a chance of escape, and had there
been one, however desperate, he would have seized
it. But there was none. Should he put back, run
his vessel ashore, and take to the woods, he would
only fall into the hands of the enraged fishermen
whom he had just robbed, and who he strongly sus-
pected were themselves little better than pirates.
To leave the bay without receiving a broadside that
would blow his little vessel out of the water, was
impossible, since the frigate commanded the open-
ings on both sides.

" Caught like rats in a trap," he muttered, " and
by treachery black as night.'*

102

"ADIOS, MY LITTtB ONE" 108

As he spoke, Alvord Spicer glanced at his ship-
mates, who were watching to see what he would do.
Latrobe and Theo stood together near the galley,
the former with one hand laid protectingly on the
boy's shoulder. The Americans were grouped at the
mainmast foot. Eph Morris was at the wheel, and
near him Captain Thomas Pole leaned on the rail,
regarding his bafiQed enemy with a significant smile.

" So it was you, was it ? " cried Alvord Spicer,
noting the man's triumphant expression. "Then,
by ! you shall pay for the dastardly act."

With this, he snatched up a belaying pin, and
sprang toward the grinning Englishman.

But the latter did not await his onset. He pre-
ferred taking his chances in the sea, and with a yell
he leaped overboard. Regaining the surface, he
struck out vigorously for the approaching boat. As
he did so, the enraged skipper hurled the belaying
pin after him so truly that it cut open the man's
cheek, and would have brained him had its course
been deflected a single inch.

Just then, a second shot from the frigate passed
between La Bruja's masts, and, without waiting for
orders, Eph Morris threw her into the wind.

Only pausing to pick up the bleeding and nearly
exhausted swimmer, the boat dashed forward, and
in another minute was alongside. An officer, fol-
lowed by half a dozen sailors armed with cutlasses,
clambered aboard.

104 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

" Do you surrender ? " he cried, advancing with
cocked pistol upon Alvord Spicer.

" By what authority and for what reason do you
demand it ? " inquired the big American.

"By the authority vested in the commander of
his Majesty's frigate Ohioria to apprehend pirates
wherever found," was the stern reply.

*' We are not pirates, but have just — "

"Then produce your papers."

" We have none, for the simple reason — "

"That is enough, sir. I can hold no argument
with a shipmaster who fails to produce papers upon
lawful request," interrupted the officer. "Whatever
you have to say will be heard later on board the
frigate. If I had my way, though, I would string
you up first and investigate afterward, for I never
laid eyes on a more piratical-looking gang of cut-
throats. Quartermaster, take the wheel and lay us
within hail of the CUorisJ*^

While this order was being obeyed, and the alert
British tars kept guard on deck, their officer made
a hasty examination of La Bruja^s cabin. During
his short absence Alvord Spicer found opportunity
of whispering to Theo, whom he beckoned to his
side : —

^ Whatever they may do to the rest of us, 'tis not
likely they will hang one so young as you, and so,
lad, you may some time escape. If ever you do,
make your way to the United States, and always

"ADIOS, BIT LITTLE ONE" 106

remember the Reverend Enoch Spicer of Ports-
mouth, New Hampshire. Say it over to make sure."

" Revrind Innock Spicer, Portsmut, New Hamp,'*
repeated the boy, wonderingly.

" That's right, always remember it ; and when
you find him, tell him — "

" Stop that talk ! " cried the lieutenant, catching
sight of these two as he regained the deck. "No
communication between prisoners. Go forward, you
pirate cub."

" He's no more a pirate than I am," began Alvord
Spicer, fiercely; but the officer commanded silence,
remarking at the same time that he did not suppose
he was.

As La Bruja was hove to within a short cable's-
length of the great ship, from which hundreds of
eyes regarded her curiously, her skipper was ordered
into the boat and taken, together with Thomas Pole
and Eph Morris, whom the former had indicated, on
board the frigate.

The British shipmaster was at once conducted to
the cabin for examination ; while the others were
left on deck under separate guard. Then Eph
Morris was sent for, and finally Alvord Spicer was
conducted into the presence of the commander.
As he entered the cabin he looked for those who
had preceded him ; but they were not to be seen.

" Well, sir, what have you to say for yourself ? "
demanded the frigate's captain, who was a young

100 BBETHREN OF THE COAST

lordling filled with the importance of his first
command.

For answer Alvord Spicer, standing between two
marines armed with loaded muskets, told in straight-
forward language, but as briefly as possible, of the
events leading up to the present situation. As he
concluded, the commander said : —

" That is a very ingenious story, sir ; but I do not
believe one word of it, since two Englishmen, one of
whom is a reputable shipmaster, have just related
an entirely different tale. However, I will give you
the benefit of a doubt, and, instead of hanging you
at once, will allow your case to go before an
admiralty court, which will doubtless sentence you
to your just deserts. Take him away, corporal, and
place him in solitary confinement."

This order was addressed to one of the marines
who guarded the prisoner. When the latter had
been removed, the young commander said to his
first lieutenant, a grizzled old sea-dog who had
been present during the several interviews: —

" Is it your opinion that we are justified in holding
this schooner, Mr. Bumble ? "

" It certainly is, my lord. I never ran afoul of a
clearer case of piracy," replied the man, who always
sought to agree with his superior.

"And yet we did not detect him in any overt
act."

" None at aU, my lord."

"ADIOS, MY LTTTLB ONE" 107

*^ Except flying the black flag, robbing inoffensive
fishermen, and above all attempting the life of a
British shipmaster.'*

*'Any one of which would be sufficient to hang
him, my lord."

^^ Still, if I make the seizure, and this last fellow's
improbable tale should prove true, I might get a
terrible wigging from the Admiralty."

" A thing to be seriously considered, my lord.'*
" So I have half a mind to let him go."
"It would be a prudent thing to do."
" Though she is the first prize of this cruise.*
"The very first, my lord."
"And prizes nowadays are hard to come at.**
" Never knew 'em so scarce, my lord."
" She would make a clever despatch boat."
"As fine as ever was launched, my lord.'*
" So I think we'll take her, after all."
"I doubt if you could make a wiser move, my
lord."

Thus the fate of La Bruja was decided, and
within an hour she had once more resumed her
voyage to the northward, in company with the
frigate Ohloris and under a British flag. Of her
former company only one now remained on board,
and he was its youngest member, Theo Breeze.
All the others, including Latrobe, had been trans-
ferred to the frigate, and their places had been
taken by a prize crew commanded by a midshipman.

108 BRETHBEN OF THE COAST

Poor Theo was broken-hearted at being thus sepa-
rated from his friends. He had gone confidently
forward to enter the boat with them, but one of
his new masters had pulled him back and roughly
ordered him to stand aside. So they went off with-
out him, and his only farewell came in despairing
accents from Latrobe, who did not realize that the
boy was to be left behind until the boat was shoved
off. Then with a breaking heart he called back in
Spanish : —

^'Adios, my little one. Remember always that,
by birth, thou art an American and a gentleman."

"Shut up, you black pirate," growled the man
who sat nearest, at the same time dealing Latrobe
a cuff on the head.

Theo had been retained on La Bruja at the
request of her new commander, who desired him for
a cabin boy ; and now ensued the saddest period
of our lad's life. He was even more unhappy than
when, driven from the great house of the Devil's
Den, he had been compelled to shift for himself as
the outcast of that piratical settlement. Then he
at least had Latrobe for friend and comforter. Now
every man's hand seemed raised against him. He
had even lost his identity, and was known only as
the "pirate cub." All day long it was, "Cub, do
this, and be spry about it," or, "Cub, you little
devil, come here and get the rope-ending you
deserve." He was made to perform every menial

"ADIOS, MY LITTLE ONE" 109

service, and missiles of all kinds were flung at his
head for the fun of seeing him dodge.

Of course the poor child had no idea how to serve
the meals of even such a rude civilization as was
now introduced into La Brvja^B cabin. He did not
know the names of the dishes he was expected to
hand and exhibited such awkward ignorance that
the midshipman in command finally ordered him
forward to become the slave and butt of the crew.
By them he was teased, beaten, starved, and com-
pelled to unceasing toil, until he grew thin and
miserable, while his expression became that of a
hunted animal.

The ChloriB being under orders for Halifax, La
Bruja also shaped a course for that far northern
port, with instructions to keep the frigate in sight
as long as possible. But the two vessels parted
company on the very first night, and after that the
schooner pursued her way alone.

As she slowly worked her way northward, the
weather, which was that of early spring, grew ever
more inclement and stormy, until poor Theo, clad
only in thin cotton garments, felt that he must
surely perish of the bitter cold.

What with storms and adverse winds, the voyage
was so delayed that the supply of provisions taken
on board from the frigate was finally exhausted,
and the schooner was compelled to seek the nearest
port for a renewal of her stores.

110 BBETHBEN OF THE COAST

Thiui it happened that one evening in April La
Bruja dropped anchor in the harbor of Salem,
Maii8achusett0 ; and, for the first time in his life,
our young American gazed upon the land of his
forefathers. At daylight of the following morning
the schooner again sailed ; but when her crew
called their slave to fetch them their early coffee
he failed to respond, nor could trace of him be
found from one end of the ship to another.

CHAPTER XIV

riBST TOUCH OF AMERICAN SOIL

When La Bruja was forced into Salem harbor,
Theo Breeze had reached such a point of misery that
it seemed as though he would rather die than live.
His body was bruised from head to foot, his wretch-
edly thin clothing was in rags, and he was almost
perished with the unaccustomed cold of a northern
spring. If he occasionally snatched a moment's
warmth by crouching behind the galley stove, some
one of his persecutors was sure to discover him and
drag him out again to the bleak deck. He was
always so hungry that he eagerly ate the scrapings
of the pans and " kids " given him to clean. Alto-
gether, a more unhappy lad than La Bruja^s " cub "
would have been hard to find.

He overheard the men talk of Halifax as being
their destination, but had no more idea of the loca-
tion of Halifax than of the north pole. It must be a
weary way from his own beautiful home, since they
had already sailed so long without reaching it, and
it must lie in a region of bitter cold. It was also
invested to him with all the terrors of death ; for
every member of the crew had found pleasure in

111

112 BRETHREN OP THE COAST

telling him that he would certainly be hanged as a
pirate the moment their voyage was ended. Conse-
quently Halifax was to poor Theo the place of all
places to be most dreaded, and when La Brvja
finally dropped anchor in Salem harbor, his heart
sank as heavily as did the mass of iron plunging to
the bottom, for he believed the fatal port had at
length been reached.

So filled was he with despair that he would not
even look at the town which was within plain view
of the anchorage, but attended drearily to his hated
tasks with downcast eyes. Only when he was
scrubbing out some wooden kids that had held the
crew's scanty dinner did he make a discovery that
changed the whole tenor of his thoughts.

Several of his shipmates were leaning over the
rail close at hand, commenting upon their surround-
ings. One of them said that this was the place in
which was built the Yankee frigate Ussex^ that he
had helped capture in the harbor of Valparaiso, and
he believed most of her crew came from here as well.

Hearing this, and by listening eagerly to every
subsequent word, Theo at length became convinced
that he had not reached Halifax after all, but was
in some port of that wonderful America toward
which his highest hopes had been directed ever since
he could remember anything. . Intensely excited, he
dropped his work and climbed the rail for a look at
the promised land, but was promptly cuffed down and

FIBST TOUCH OF AMERICAN SOIL 113

driven back to his task. His thoughts, however,
could not be repressed, and they were in a tumult.
He heard the men say that they would sail again
with the next daylight, and instantly determined
that by some means he would be left behind.

Not for nothing had our lad been outcast and
forced to depend largely upon his own exertions for
a living. He had at least learned self-reliance. Nor
had the sufferings recently undergone destroyed one
particle of his confidence in his own abilities. Only
give him a chance and he would prove what he could
do. Once let him set foot in America, the fairy
land of Latrobe's tales, his father's land and conse-
quently his own, the country of Alvord Spicer, where
kindly people were to be found on all sides, and his
path would be made easy. Perhaps the place to
which he had come was Portsmouth itself ; for, as
he had just heard, a Yankee frigate had been built
here, and had not Alvord Spicer told him of the
building of Yankee frigates at Portsmouth? It
might be that in the houses he could see on shore
friends were even now awaiting him, and wondering
why he did not come to them.

But he must not try to reach them before dark-
ness should conceal his movements. He must even
wait until the schooner was on the point of sailing ;
for if she once got to sea before he was missed, it
was not likely that she would put back in search of
one so insignificant as himself »

...■>':;■

114 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

So absorbing were the boy's thoughts that he
made more mistakes and received more blows than
usual that evening. But he paid little heed to blows
now, and only longed for the hour when he might
put his plan into execution. He knew that his only
chance of escape lay in swimming, for the boat sent
after provisions had been hoisted on board again upon
its return. His own canoe still lay on deck, and he
longed to take it with him, but realized that to do
so would be impossible. So he must swim ; and, as
he eyed the distance to be covered, he realized how
difficult would be the task, though confident that he
could accomplish it.

At length night came, and Theo, rolled in a piece
of old canvas, lay on deck in the lee of the galley
to shiver, and sleep if he could, until it should be
time for his desperate venture. For hours he lay
awake, and never had a night seemed so long. He
was, however, sound asleep when one of the morn-
ing watch, just turned out, stumbled over him in the
gloom, and swore at him for being in the way.

Thus rudely awakened, Theo listened for a mo-
ment, and then knew that his critical hour had come,
for sails were hoisting and the anchor was being
hove short. So with chattering teeth but tightly
compressed lips, he stole swiftly to the rail, made a
bit of line fast to the forechains, and slipped down
into the blackness so softly that no sound marked
his progress. The sudden chill of the water bit to

FIRST TOUCH OF AMERICAN SOIL 115

his very bones and cut his breath short with a gasp,
but he would not go back now. He was American,
and would rather die in American waters than be
carried to the dreadful place called Halifax. So he
pulled himself together and struck bravely out in
the direction of a single twinkling light that indi-
cated the blessed land.

How he reached it he never knew. It seemed as
though he swam through that icy water for hours,
and before he crawled limply out on a bit of sandy
beach, he was numbed beyond aU feeling. Several
times his strength had given out, and he had sunk
beneath the surface, but in each case the indomi-
table will of his Yankee ancestors had forced him to
further effort, and finally he found himself in shoal
water.

That first touch of American soil thrilled him like
an electric shock and he essayed a shout of triumph,
but could utter no sound. He could only drag him-
self weakly out on the wet beach and lie there in
such a swoon of utter exhaustion that he seemed to be
floating through thin air. It was a very pleasant sen-
sation, and he was no longer cold nor tired, but only
buoyantly content. From this beautiful dream he
was. rudely aroused and brought back to the wretch-
edness of his situation by a sound of gruff voices
dose at hand. Filled with the idea of flight, and
believing his enemies to be in hot pursuit of him, the
poor child staggered to his feet and moved away

116 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

with uncertain steps. Not far away was a light,
perhaps the same that had guided him to the shore,
and he made toward it. Thus he was led to a small
house on the outskirts of the town ; and no longer
hearing the sound of voices that had so alarmed him,
he sank wearily down on the steps of its front door-
way. A chaise, with a blanketed horse that impa-
tiently pawed the ground, stood near by. Theo
could see these plainly in the gray dawn that was
stealing over the world, and was vaguely curious
regarding them, for he had only the dimmest recollec-
tion of horses at La Brisa, and had not seen one since.

As he sat thus, the door behind him suddenly
opened, and a man, making a hasty exit, stumbled
over the crouching boy. Only by a violent effort
did he save himself from pitching headlong. As he
recovered he turned and glared angrily at our lad,
at the same time exclaiming : —

"What are you doing here, you vagabond, set-
ting yourself as a stumbling-block in the way of
honest folk ? I Ve a mind to have you arrested and
whipped. Begone instanter, or I shall be tempted
to give you a taste of the gad myself."

So Theo, too frightened and bewildered to reply,
by this, his first reception on American soil, did as
he was ordered and moved slowly away up the street.

The doctor, — for such was the man who had just
come from a weary battle with death in the little
house, — still muttering to himself, entered his chaise

FIRST TOUCH OF AMERICAN SOIL IIT

and drove in the same direction. It was now light
enough for him to see Theo plainly, and, as he noted
the boy's miserable appearance and uncertain steps,
his heart misgave him for his harshness. For hours
he had been fighting to save the puny life of a new-
bom baby boy, and yet here was one already past
the ills of infancy, but evidently in sore straits, whom
he was treating as too worthless for consideration.
Surely if the one was worth saving, the other was at
least deserving of human interest, and worn out as
the doctor was with his night's work, he chided him-
self for his roughness. To make amends for it he
reined in his horse as he came opposite to Theo and
called him.

" Come here, boy," he said, " and tell me of your-
self. Why are you out here on the street bareheaded
and barefooted at this time of day ? Bless me I the
child is dripping wet, and well-nigh naked. Where
is your home, boy ? and who are your parents ? "

" Revrind Innock Spicer, Portsmut, New Hamp,'*
repUed Theo, brightening visibly under the friendli-
ness of the doctor's tone.

" Portsmouth, eh ? Then I suppose you have run
away, and have come to grief, as all boys should who
desert their lawful homes. But I'll warrant you
have long since repented of your folly and would
gladly return, if only a way could be provided. Get
in here, for I must be moving on, but have a desire
to inquire further into your case."

118 BBETHBEN OF THE COAST

Thus in another moment onr homeless waif was
curled at the doctor's feet on the bottom of the
chaise, and was being borne rapidly away, while his
new-found friend plied him with questions that
remained unanswered.

"The child's mind seems unbalanced," said the
doctor to himself, after a little, "and I shouldn't
wonder if suffering were the cause, for he looks as
though he had very nearly reached the limit of human
endurance. What he evidently needs is rest, food,
and warmth ; and, thank God, I can provide him
with all three."

CHAPTER XV

KINDLY HEABTS AND PITIFUL

Db. Winthbop Conant, gruff and impulsive but
so kindhearted that no one in trouble ever appealed
to him in vain, was a physician of extensive practice,
which from his own choice lay almost wholly among
the poorer classes. From such patients he rarely
collected a bill, largely for the reason that he never
presented one.

** They will pay when they can," he was used to
say, ** and if they can't, what is the sense in worrying
both them and myself ? "

Of course such a man was imposed upon, and the
doctor's wife declared that nine out of ten of the
cases of alleged suffering relieved by her husband
were too transparent to deceive any one else.

" Perhaps they do not wholly deceive even me, my
dear," he would reply, " and perhaps I would rather
be deceived in nine cases than risk missing the
tenth."

The doctor shrewdly suspected that the case by
which he had just been robbed of a night's rest was
one of these charities that could well afford to pay
its own way. Perhaps this suspicion accounted for

110

120 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

his petulance upon leaving the scene of his labors ;
but with the discovery of an undoubtedly genuine
case of helpless distress, such as he had just taken
into his chaise, all his vexations disappeared, and his
heart again overflowed with kindly compassion.

The house to which he carried our waif from the
sea was large, square, and substantial. It, together
with a moderate income from invested property,
enabled the doctor to indulge his charitable instincts
with a clear conscience, and here he dwelt in great
comfort with his wife and two servants, a man and
a maid.

Leaving his horse in the stable, the doctor let
himself and Theo into the house by a rear entrance,
and so gained a capacious kitchen that was always
kept warm, against his return from weary night
visits like the one just ended. Here also was spread
an ample lunch in case he should be hungry. Thus
he was able to provide Theo at once with the food
that he so evidently needed. Bread, butter, and
jam, a bit of cold meat, and a glass of milk formed
a more sumptuous repast than our homeless lad had
enjoyed in many a long day.

" Hunger is one of the commonest penalties that
runaways are called upon to pay," remarked the
doctor, gravely, as he watched the boy's ravenous
attack upon the food placed before him, " and you,
my son, seem to have incurred it in full force.
Also, as I have frequently noticed, hunger is an

KINDLY HEARTS AND PITIFUL 121

extremely contagious affection, and so I believe I
will take a bite myself."

Thus saying, the doctor drew up a chair, and
seating himself opposite his guest, began to eat as
though he, too, had just escaped from the inhospi-
tality of La Bruja.

During the progress of this impromptu and candle-
lighted feast. Dr. Conant kept up a running com-
mentary upon his guest's personal appearance and
probable antecedents, without either receiving or
seeming to expect a reply.

"Hair long and decidedly unkempt," he said.
" Eyes blue ; face thin, as from hunger, but color
healthy ; skin tanned by long exposure ; clothing
inadequate, shockingly dilapidated, and soaked as
though he had been in the water ; feet bare and
apparently unaccustomed to covering ; with it all, ex-
pression of intelligence and good breeding ; parents
evidently of the better class ; claims to be from
Portsmouth and yet speaks with a foreign accent.
One of the strangest cases I have ever met. Look
here, my young friend, now that you have taken
the edge off your prodigious appetite, suppose you
tell me where you came from."

To this Theo knew not how to reply. If he
admitted his escape from La Bruja^ might it not
happen that he would be forwarded to her destina-
tion, the dreaded Halifax? So he maintained a
discreet silence and gave no answer.

1S2 BBETHBEN OF THE COAST

^Either a fool or wiser than most boys of his
age," commented the doctor. "Well, then, where
do you wish to go ? "

This was easy. "Revrind Innock Spicer, Ports-
mut. New Hamp," was the prompt response.

" Again that foreign accent. Are you an Ameri-
can ? "

**Si, Senor, I Americano. Name Tay-o-feel-o
Guillermo Danbrisa," replied the lad, earnestly.

" A Spaniard, by Jove 1 " exclaimed the doctor,
with such energy as to greatly startle his young
guest. "Now I wonder what Rebecca will say to
that. But Spaniard, or American, or wild Indian,
or whatever he is, I can't let him sit in these wet
rags any longer, and perhaps after he is somewhat
rested he will be more definitely communicative*
Wait here a moment, boy."

Thus saying, Dr. Conant took the candle and
went from the room. A minute later he reappeared
dragging a rug, and also bringing a blanket and a
pillow. Placing the rug and pillow on the floor
close beside the stove, he made Theo strip off his
rags, which were hung across the back of a chair to
dry, and wrapping his guest's bruised little body in
the blanket, he bade the boy lie there and sleep until
he called him.

The doctor might have conducted his guest to one
of the many vacant chambers upstairs, but he was a
considerate man, who would not arouse his household

KUTDLT HEARTS AND PITIFUL ItS

before the regular hour. Besides, he suspected that
the boy would feel much more at ease aud sleep
better where he was. So he left him iu the kitchen
and retired to his own office, which was on the same
floor. There he flung himself wearily into an easy-
chair, determined to remain awake until the maid
came down to start the kitchen fire, that he might
warn her of the guest she would find sleeping beside
the stove. As the doctor sat buried in profound
thought, and vainly striving to unravel the mystery
of this same guest, his tired eyes slowly closed, and
then he too was fast asleep.

A little later he was awakened by a series of pierc-
ing screams, and as he started to his feet in dismay,
the housemaid rushed, past his open door and fled
upstairs, screaming as she went. Hastening to the
kitchen. Dr. Conant was greeted by a sight that
caused ^im to laugh until tears ran down his cheeks.
It was that of poor Theo, who, roused by the maid's
cry of dismay upon discovering him, had sprung from
his blanket in terror, forgetful of his condition or
surroundings. He was still gazing wildly about
him, trying to recall where he was, when the doctor
appeared.

" Oh ho I " roared the latter, " here's a pretty
kettle of fish I No wonder Betty was scared ; and
you look pretty badly frightened yourself. But pick
up your rags and follow me, for I expect both of us
had better fly from the wrath to come.'*

124 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

With this the doctor gathered up Theo's bedding
and led the boy to his office, where with closed door
he assisted him to resume his tattered clothing.
While they were thus engaged, and the doctor was
still chuckling over the recent episode, there came a
decisive knock on the door and a stern " Winthrop 1 "

" Yes, my dear," he replied, hastily unlocking and
opening the door to an indignant lady in a flannel
wrapper.

"What does it all mean, Winthrop?" she de-
manded. " Betty comes screaming to my room and
declares there is a naked man in the kitchen. What
was it she saw ? "

" I expect it must have been my young friend
here," replied the doctor, meekly, stepping aside as
he spoke, that his wife might obtain a view of Theo.

" Oh, Winthrop 1 " she cried, " what a horrid little
scarecrow 1 Where did you get it ? What is. it ?
How could you let it so frighten poor Betty ? "

" I found * it,' as you are pleased to call my guest,
seated on David Flye's front doorstep early this
morning, and from its condition I should say it had
just come out of the Atlantic Ocean. From the very
limited conversation we have held, I rather judge it
to be a Spaniard who — "

" A Spaniard 1 Then he must be a Papist I " cried
Mrs. Conant, who, as a Puritan of the Puritans, held
the Church of Rome in horror. " Winthrop, how
dared you bring him to my house I "

KINDLY HEARTS AND PITIFUL 125

^ Having none of my own to which I might take
him, and fearful of being indicted for manslaughter
if I left him to perish, as he was in a fair way to do,
I ventured to so far impose upon your philanthropy;
but if you object — "

" If I object 1 Of course I object ; and I wish you
would take the horrid little creature away."

"Very well. Come, my young friend," replied
the doctor, holding out a hand to Theo as he spoke.

"Of course I don't mean until after breakfast,"
explained Mrs. Conant, somewhat taken aback by
her husband's prompt acquiescence with her wishes.
" Besides, where will you take him ? "

"I was thinking of sending him to Portsmouth,
where he appears to have friends, and from which
place he apparently ran away."

"Portsmouth? that is where the Pattons live,
isn't it?" queried the lady. "I wonder if they know
anything about him. But how can he be a Spaniard
if he comes from Portsmouth ? Are you a Spaniard,
boy, or are you an American ? "

"Si, Senora, I Americano. Name Tay-o-feel-o
Guillermo Danbrisa," replied Theo.

" Mercy, yes 1 that settles it," cried Mrs. Conant.
"He is Spanish beyond doubt, and I don't care
whether you send him to Portsmouth or Halifax.
Only I won't have him remain in this house one
minute longer than is necessary."

With this the l^y departed upstairs to chide

1S8 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

Betty for having been so frightened by a mere child,
and send her down to prepare breakfast.

The doctor, in the meantime, wrote a note ad-
dressed to the Rey. Enoch Spicer, in which he
set forth the circumstances of Theo's finding, and
explained why the boy was sent to Portsmoath.
He added that if the waif were not wanted there,
he himself would undertake to find a home for him.

Having sealed this, he took Theo with him to the
stable for a look at its live stock. Then the doctor
was called to breakfast, while Theo was left in the
kitchen to stare at Betty the maid, who in return
regarded him with a haughty contempt expressed
fay sniffs. Finally the doctor came to lead the
forlorn little chap away, and Mrs. Conant came
with him for another look at the young Spaniard.

"But, Winthrop," she cried, "you can't let him go
all the way to Portsmouth clad only in those rags.
Why 1 the child will perish of the cold."

" I was wondering if I had not better loan him my
top-coat," replied the doctor, gravely.

" Nonsense 1 wait a minute."

Going upstairs, Mrs. Conant procured a gray
blanket shawl and a scarlet worsted tippet. The
former she wound about the boy's body, fastening
it under his arms, while the tippet she tied down
over his head and ears.

" There," she said, " now you'll be as warm as a
farag in a rug." Then moved by a sudden impulse,

KINDLY HEARTS AND PITIFUL 127

or perhaps by the pathetic beauty of the child's face,
she stooped and kissed him.

A little later he was again alone in the world, so
far as friends were concerned, and occupying a box
seat beside the driver of the post-coach that made a
daily run between Boston, and Portsmouth, New
Hampshire.

CHAPTER XVI

THB DBIFTING OP A WAIF

While the stage ride taken by Theo Breeze
that day was an affair of such novelty and so
filled with curious interest as to be indelibly im-
pressed on his mind for all after years, it was also
marked by considerable unhappiness, much discom-
fort, and many disappointments.

April weather in New England is by no means
the best sample of what the year has to offer in
that rugged region, and although this was the
last day of that fickle month, it fully sustained the
reputation gained by its predecessors. Thus in-
tervals of sunshine were alternated by frequent
showers, while a gusty east wind blew in, salt and
chill, from the Atlantic. It was for this reason
that Theo and the driver had the box seat to them-
selves, all the other occupants of the coach pref er-
ing the shelter of its interior, which was thus so
crowded that there was no more room even for a
little boy.

Our lad did not mind the showers, for he was
well used to being wet, but he found the cold hard

128

THE DRIFTING OF A WAIF 129

to bear, in spite of his blanket shawl and red tippet.
These, in themselves, were causes of annoyance, as
they caused him to be stared at, and drew forth
many jeering remarks from idle spectators when-
ever the coach stopped. Even the driver, after
many furtive glances at his small companion on
the box seat, broke silence with the remark : —

"Wal, you be a rum-looking little cove, fer
sartin."

Then he relapsed into silence, and as Theo knew
not how to reply, he, too, continued to say nothing.

At first, while the stage was bumping and sway-
ing over the cobble-paved streets of Salem, Theo
clung to the iron railing of his seat in terror, ex-
pecting each moment to be flung down on the
backs of the plunging horses; but after the town
was left, the road became smoother, the pace more
moderate, and he began to take an interest in his
surroundings. He had been bewildered by the
great number of people and the many houses of
the town ; but in the sparsely settled country he
felt more at home. At the same time he was
vastly disappointed, for in no respect did the
sodden landscape resemble the fairyland of La-
trobe's tales. Could it be that this was really
America ? Where, then, were its palaces and golden
streets, its stately forests filled with singing birds,
its vast lakes, and mighty rivers? The few farm-
houses by the roadside did not at all realize his

130 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

conception of palaces, and as for stately forests,
those he now saw conld not compare with the
woodlands of Cuba. He did not even see a single
palm between Salem and Portsmouth, a mango, or
any of the beautiful fruit-bearing trees so common
to his native land. Even those he did see were
bare of leaves ; while of singing birds and flowers,
there were none.

Yes, there was one flower. A basketful of that
shyest and daintiest of New England blossoms, the
trailing arbutus, was intrusted to the driver by a
little girl at a farmhouse, to be taken to a friend
in Newburyport. The former gave it to Theo to
hold, and the boy thought he had never smelled
nor seen anything so fi*agrantly beautiful — not
€ven the orange blooms of his own home.

At Ipswich the stage stopped for dinner, and
here our piratically educated lad excited so much
merriment, not only by his unusual costume, but
by his evident ignorance of Yankee table manners,
that without having nearly satisfied his hunger, he
fled from the dining room in bitter indignation and
took refuge in the stable until it was time to start.

Here both horses and drivers were changed, and
Theo found his new companion on the box seat much
more sociably inclined than his predecessor, as well
as more considerate of his comfort. He not only
drew the boy into conversation, but protected his
bare feet from the cold by wrapping them in a

THE DRIFTING OF A WAIF ISl

horse blanket. He informed him that his own
name was Zack Truitt, and asked his in retnm.

** Tay-o-feel-o Guillermo Danbrisa," was the glib
reply.

" Hello ! Spaniard, ain't ye ? "

"No, Senor, I Americano. My home Isla de
Cuba."

"Cuby, eh? Wal, I might ha guessed it, seeing
as I've bin there myself. Made a v'y'ge one winter
outer Portsmouth to Havana. That where you came
from?"

"No, Senor. La Brisa."

"Never heerd of it, but I kalkilate it must be
about the same as the rest of them foreign places,
mighty good to get away from. So you're going to
old man Spicer'a, be ye? Ever meet up with his son,
Al? Alvord Spicer is his full name."

" Si, si. El Seiior Alf ord Spicer ma f rien'. You
know Alf ord Spicer ? "

"Should say I did. Me an Al was brung up
together. We sailed on our first v'y'ge in the same
ship, the brig Ezry (7. Knowlton. Wanter know if
you're 'quainted with him. Where'd you meet him ?
and where did you last see him ? His folks hain't
heard nothing from him in so long, they're getting

anxious."

With this Theo entered upon a long account of
Alvord Spicer's recent adventures, and his own,
talking so fast in broken English equally mixed with

132 BRETHBEN OF THE COAST

Spanish that Zack Truitt found great difficulty in
comprehending him. That he did, however, gain a
certain amount of information from the story was
shown by his finally exclaiming : —

"Weill well! Do telll So Al got scooped by
Cubian pirates, did he ? Then him and you fought
'em, and whipped 'em, and come away. It's clear
enough so fur, but I don't exactly understand what
comes next. Nigh as I can make out, after getting
clear of the pirates, you an' him met up with a
Britisher, an Al went off somewheres with 'em,
leaving you to come on here to his folks all by
yourself. That don't seem wholly likely, though,
for Al never did have no love for Britishers, nor
ain't one to desert a shipmate in distress, especially
a little chap like you be. Couldn't you tell that
part over again. Bub ? Say it kinder slow, and see
if I can't get the rights of the yarn."

But both Theo's ideas and language were so hope-
lessly mixed, that, in spite of his efforts to render
the situation clear, it only grew the more befogged.
So Zack Truitt finally abandoned the idea of arriv-
ing at any better understanding of what had actually
befallen his friend, but consoled himself by remark-
ing:—

" It's evidently a mighty interesting yarn Al will
have to spin when he gets home. I suppose that
won't be long now either, seeing you left him on the
way, and I know his old f ather'll be powerful glad

THE DRIFTING OF A WAIF 133

to hear he's a-coming. But here we be at Newbury-
port, and after that there'll be plenty of room for
you inside, where you'll be a heap warmer and more
comfortable than out here."

So in the gathering twilight our young traveller
was transferred from his bleak outside perch to the
more sheltered interior of the coach. There he
slipped uncomfortably about on a smooth, leather-
covered seat until, overcome by drowsiness, he
finally rolled off and found a resting-place in the
straw among the feet of the few remaining pas-
sengers. Here he slept soundly while the lumber-
ing coach crossed the Merrimac River into New
Hampshire, and made its slow way over the sandy
roads that still form a feature of that part of the
state. It was nine o'clock before it finally rolled
into Portsmouth and began to deposit its passengers
here and there until only Theo was left. At length
it drew up with a rattle of wheels and a clatter of
iron-shod hoofs before a small, weather-stained house
sheltered by a huge elm. Here the driver blew his
horn and called so loudly to arouse its inmates, that
its front door was quickly flung open and some one
appeared shading a flickering candle.

"Evening, Parson," called out Zack Truitt, and
then with an apologetic tone, "'Scuse me. Miss
Tabby ; I didn't see it was you fust off. Here's
a friend of Al's come to make you a visit. He's
got a letter that I guess'll explain everything, an'

134 BSETHSEN OF THE COAST

if it don't, Al will be along himself inside of a few
days. Sony not to stop longer, but I've got to
hurry on, for the mail's late to-night anyway."

With this the driver cracked his whip, his tired
horses, filled with renewed activity at the near
prospect of their stable, sprang away, and our waif
from Cuba was left standing bewildered and irreso-
lute at the foot of the great elm.

The flickering light advanced toward him ; and
then, as its feeble rays indistinctly revealed his form,
there came a shrill exclamation : —

^^ Groodness gracious I but it's a boy I If that
ain't the beatingest 1 Whatever — "

At this moment a gust of wind extinguished the
candle and the scene was shrouded in darkness.
Just as this happened, another voice was heard from
the open doorway.

" Tabitha I Tabitha Sherlock 1 " it called ; " where
are you ? What has happened ? "

** For the land's sake. Parson, I thought you was
writing your sermon and couldn't be disturbed. It's
only some trick of that good-for-nothing Zack Truitt.
He's always up to them, but this one is a beater."

'' I thought I heard him mention the name of my
son Alvord. Did he not say that he had brought
a friend of Alvord's?"

^ Sakes, yes I He said something of that kind.
S'pose he thought 'twas funny. There isn't no one
out here, though, but a boy."

THE DRIFTING OF A WAIF 136

" A boy ? Well, why don't you bring him in ? "

" Bring a horrid, messing, traipsing boy into the
house I Just after spring cleaning, too I Why>
Parson — "

" Woman, hold thy peace, and do as I bid thee I "
interrupted the unseen speaker, with an unaccus-
tomed tone of authority. " Any person, no matter
of what degree, claiming the hospitality of this
house in the name of my son, is assured a hearty
welcome. Bring him in at once."

Used as Miss Tabitha was to exercise unlimited
control, not only over Parson Spicer's domestic
affairs, but over the actions of the reverend gentle-
man himself, she realized that this was a crisis in
which it was the part of wisdom to yield her own
wishes to his. Accordingly she repUed : —

"Oh, certainly. Parson, since you are so sot.'*
And reaching out into the darkness, her hand
encountered one end of Theo's worsted tippet.

"Come along, boy," she said, with a scornful
accent on the final word, at the same time giving
the tippet a jerk.

So our hero was ignominiously led into the house,
and upon his entrance its door was closed behind
him with a slam that expressed as plainly as words
the feelings of its de facto mistress.

CHAPTER XVII

MISS TABBY TAKES GHABGE

"You may bring him into my study," said the
parson, leading the way and throwing open the door
of a lamp-lighted, book-lined room. A small fire
burned on an open hearth, making the place cosily
warm and cheerful. Here the three oddly assorted
persons whom Fate had so strangely thrown together
stood and gazed curiously at each other. For a few
moments Theo was too blinded by the light to
clearly distinguish anything. So he stood blinking
and rubbing his eyes, while the others gazed speech-
less, one with indignation and one with pity, at their
young guest.

Miss Tabitha uttered a kind of a snort as, with a
comprehensive glance, she took in the details of the
red tippet, the blanket shawl, the thin cotton trousers,
soiled and ragged, and the boy's brown bare feet.

" You impudent little scarecrow ! " she cried
angrily. " How dare you enter a respectable house
looking like that ? "

" Tabitha 1 " said the parson, reprovingly. " It is
not likely that the child is responsible for either the
style or condition of his apparel. He has a fine face
and honest blue eyes."

ISO

BOSS TABBT TAKES CHABGE 187

" Umph 1 " sniJBEed Miss Tabby. " And a shock of
yellow hair that doesn't look as if it had ever been
combed in all his life."

By this time Theo had blinked his eyes into
serviceable condition, and was regarding the other
occupants of the room with a grave curiosity fully
equal to their own. The one at whom he looked
first was a man, with snow-white hair framing a
smooth-shaven face, every line of which expressed
gentleness and patience. At the same time, there
was a look of firmness about the mouth that be*
tokened a strong will. The other, whom he already
knew as " Miss Tabby," was a woman past middle
age, with iron-gray hair drawn severely back from
her harsh-featured face and twisted into a knob.
She was spare of form, and her plain dress of blue
homespun hung in angular folds. Both of them
viewed the boy through steel-rimmed spectacles, the
first he had ever seen ; but while those of the minis-
ter seemed to beam. Miss Tabitha's glittered. A
shadow flitted across Theo's face as his gaze met the
hard flash of her spectacles; but it was succeeded
by a smHe as he turned to the minister, and said,
inquiringly : —

"Revrind Innock Spicer, Portsmut, New Hamp?"

"Yes, my child," replied the old gentleman, "I
am the Eeverend Enoch Spicer, and this is Ports-
mouth. But who are you? where do you come
from ? and who sent you here ? "

188 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

" I Americano. Name Tay-o-f eel-o Guillermo Dan-
brisa. My home La Brisa, Isla de Cuba. Alford
Spicer ma frien'. He say come Revrind Innock
Spicer he f adder. So I come."

^^ For the land's sake I " ejaculated Miss Tabitha.
" Not only a boy, but a f urriner, and like as not a
heathen. If I don't give that Zack Truitt a piece
of my mind for this caper. Don't you think,
Mr. Spicer, that the overseers ought to be notified
at once, even late as it is. Seems as though they
ought to take immediate action in so important a
case. If you say so — "

" Woman, " interrupted the minister, with a tone
of startling energy, "hold thy peace. Go quickly
and prepare food, the best the house may afford, for
this our honored guest. Heard ye not from his
own mouth that he is sent to us by my son? I
were indeed an unworthy father did I not regard
such a trust as sacred. Therefore speak to me no
more of overseers ; for here, and here only, shall the
child find a home until such time as my son, who
sent him, shall come to take him again. - Go, I say,
and prepare food, for surely the lad is a hungered."

For a moment Tabitha Sherlock stood irresolute,
then without a word she swept from the room like
an angry gust.

After she had gone, the old gentleman, with trem-
bling hands, removed Theo's tippet and shawl,
uttering an exclamation of dismay at the child's

MISS TABBT TAKES CHARGE 189

wretchedly thin apparel thus disclosed. Then seat-
ing his guest in a big chair drawn close to the fire,
he proceeded to read the letter which Theo had
withdrawn from the place where it had been pinned
by Mrs. Conant.

More mystified than ever by its contents, the
minister was about to begin a series of questions,
when Miss Tabitha returned and announced that
food was ready in the kitchen.

"Bring it hither," commanded Mr. Spicer. "It
is not fitting that our guest should break his first
bread with us in a place where we ourselves do
not condescend to eat, and the dining room is too
cold."

Again Miss Tabitha hesitated, but again a glance
at the determined old face compelled obedience.
Thus Theo's meal was served within the sacred pre-
cincts of the study, where no one but the minister
himself had ever before eaten, and he only upon rare
occasions.

When Theo had appeased his hunger, the former
Said : —

" My child, I had thought to question you further
concerning many things, but I perceive that you are
too wearied for present conversation. Therefore,
we will let explanations wait until morning. Only
tell me if my son Alvord is alive and well."

Theo, having reassured the anxious parent upon
this point, the latter uttered a hearty thanks^ving

140 BBBTHBEN OF THE COAST

to God for his infinite mercies. Then he instructed
Miss Tabitha to conduct their guest to the best
chamber, and there make him comfortable for the
night.

At this, the New England housewife flew to arms,
and, with aU her submission yanished, declared that
rather than put the dirty little foreign scarecrow in
her best spare room, and allow him to sleep on her
best feather bed, between her best linen sheets, she
would lock herself into the best room, and defend it
with her life.

^^I'll make up the attic room if you like, Mr.
Spicer," she said, ^Hhough goodness knows the
stable loft would be too good for such as him. But
into my best room he doesn't set foot so long as I
live in this house and can draw breath to defend it.
If you'd stop to think you'd remember what store
your own lawful wife, who is now a heavenly angel,
sot by that room, and how she wouldn't allow
nobody to sleep in it short of an ordained minister."

" I don't know but what you are right, Tabitha,"
replied the old gentleman, regarding Theo doubt-
fully. " Possibly the small upper chamber will be a
more fitting resting-place for our Heaven-sent guest.
At the same time I would have you know that it
grieves me to hear you speak of him in the terms
you have just used. My boy, if you will follow this
good woman, she will conduct you to a place of rest.
May God keep you through the night and send you

MISS TABBY TAKES CHARGE 141

refreshing slumbers. In the morning we will con-
verse further, and I trust profitably, together."

So the boy was led away by the triumphant Miss
Tabitha, while the old gentleman, left alone, sat for
a long time by his study fire buried in thought, and
utterly forgetful of his unfinished sermon.

Theo was not immediately conducted to the place
of rest that his weariness demanded, for the reason
that Miss Sherlock considered him unfit, in his pres-
ent condition, to occupy even the attic chamber.
To remedy this she conducted him to the kitchen,
where she produced a tub, hot water, and soap, and
gave him such a scrubbing as caused him to wonder
if she were not trying to flay the skin from his
body. Previous to the bath she snipped off his
tangled mop of curls with a pair of sharply clicking
shears, performing her task with a zeal that left
nothing to be desired in the way of thoroughness
and little in the way of hair. Then she robed him
in one of her own nightgowns, and, for fear lest he
should catch cold through the medium of his shaven
head, covered it with one of her own nightcaps,
which she tied firmly beneath his chin.

" There," she said, stepping away and standing '
with arms akimbo to observe the effect of her labors,
"now you look more like a civilized being, and
mightily like a nice little girl, which I wish to good-
ness you was, instead of the mischievous, rambump-
tious, good-for-nothing boy you be. What the

142 BBBTHREN OF THE COAST

creeters was ever made for, the good Lord who de-
signed 'em, only knows ; unless it was to refine the
natures of us poor wimmen by trials as by fire.
Well, come along, Bub, — I came mighty near say-
ing Sis, — and I'll put you where you'll keep outer
mischief for a spell anyway."

After Miss Tabitha had deposited her unwelcome
charge in the truckle-bed, which was the most im-
portant article of furniture contained in the attic
chamber, and had been properly shocked at finding
he did not know what she meant when she bade him
say his prayers, she withdrew the candle and care-
fully locked his door on the outside. Then she
returned to the kitchen, where her first act was to
thrust Theo's tattered garments into the stove, close
its door, and open wide its draughts.

" Goodness only knows what he'll do for clothes in
the morning," she said, ^^ but he shan't wear those
rags again, whatever happens. I'm going to take
that blanket shawl myself, so he won't have any-
thing left except the red tippet, which ain't exactly
what you could call a costume. However, I sup-
pose the Lord will provide, and if he don't, mebbe I
can baste a wide tuck into one of my red flannel
skirts, and cover his nakedness with that till I get
time to figger out something else. Or I might keep
him in bed for a day or two. 'Twouldn't hurt him
none. Oh I what a pest boys are, anyhow. If he
was only a girl, now, she wouldn't be a mite of

MISS TABBY TAKES CHARGE 148

trouble, and I declare, if Fve got to have him on my
hands, I believe I'll have Lyddy, too, as a sort of a
balance. Mr. Spicer'll have to give in now, if I'm
only steady enough sot. Gracious 1 who's that ? '*

This exclamation was drawn forth by a violent
pounding on the outer kitchen door, which proved
to be a neighbor who had run over to say that, from
the smell of burning cloth, he feared the Parson's
house must be on fire.

Miss Tabitha curtly dismissed this man with the
assurance that she had thrown a handful of rags into
the stove ; but she was obliged to make similar
explanations to several other well-intentioned neigh-
bors who came during the next half -hour to warn
the Parson against fire. When these visits finally
ceased, it was so long past her usual bedtime that
she was more irritated than ever against the boy
who had been the innocent cause of so much annoy-
ance.

In the meantime, Mr. Spicer was also much exer-
cised over the situation. His salary was small ; it
was now many months since Alvord had sent him
any money, and the expense of maintaining a hun-
gry, clothes-wearing boy would bear heavily upon
him. Still, by relinquishing a few luxuries in the
way of books and outside charities, he believed he
could do it. " At any rate," he said in conclusion,
^^ since my son who loves me and understands the
situation has seen fit to burden me with this respon*

141 BBETHBEN OF THE COAST

sibility, for his sake, and with God's aid, will I
cheerfully accept it."

As for the boy's name, Mr. Spicer decided that it
must be Theophilus William ; but whether the sur-
name was Breeze or Blow he could not teU. So he
concluded to submit the question to such of his
neighbors as were supposed to be versed in foreign
tongues. This he afterward did, with the result
that while he himself favored Theophilus Breeze,
most of his advisers insisted upon William Blow ;
and so in the good town of Portsmouth our hero
became generally known as " Billy Blow.'*

CHAPTER XVIII

"A FIGHTING, FOREIGN HBATHENEB **

** For the land's sake ! what's a happening?" cried
Miss Tabitha Sherlock, in alarm, as she sprang from
her bed the following morning to cautiously peer
from her curtained and shuttered window. Having
been kept up beyond her usual hour for retiring
the night beLe, and lying long awake with busy
thoughts, she had, for the first time in her memory,
overslept herself by more than an hour. Now she
was roused from an improbable dream of riots, mobs,
and burning houses, by a clamor of shrill voices
mingled with crashing sounds, and a clatter as of
pebbles flung against the closed blinds of her
window.

Peering fearf uUy out through a chink, she beheld
a sight that instantly turned her alarm into wrath
not unmingled with curiosity ; for a crowd of yelling
townsboys were gathered in the street before the
house, energetically bombarding it with whatever
came to hand. While furious at this outrageous
proceeding, Miss Tabitha could not imagine its
object, until she noticed that a shower of return
missiles of the strangest character were being hurled

145

146 BBETHREN OF THE COAST

against the enemy, apparently from the window over
her head. In one of them she noted with horror the
fluttering leaves of a book, and suddenly she realized
the astonishing truth. In some mysterious way the
boys of the town had discovered the young stranger
who had been left at the minister's door the previous
evening, and now they were bombarding him in his
citadel while he was resolutely defending himself.
Or had he been the aggressor ? That was more than
likely, since he was a heathen foreigner. At any rate,
it was evident that a battle royal was in progress,
and instant interference was demanded to avert
serious consequences.

As these thoughts flashed through Miss Tabitha's
mind, she hastily donned a petticoat and a flannel
wrapper. Then thrusting her feet into a pair of
slippers and replacing her nightcap by a small red
shawl, she flew upstairs, and into the attic chamber
where she had left Theo, as she supposed, beyond the
possibility of mischief. As she entered the room, she
was just in time to see that piratically educated youth
hurl a pot of jam from the open window ; and that
the shot was effective was announced by a crash and
a yell from below.

The next moment Theo's cry of triumph was
choked in the utterance by a fierce attack in the
rear. He was jerked backwards, thrust into a
closet, and its door was locked behind him almost
before he knew what was happening. Having thus

««A FIGHTING, FOREIGN HEATHENBR" 147

disposed of one beUigerent, Miss Tabby sped down-
stairs, seized a broom, and let herself softly out by a
back door. So masterly was her execution of this
flank movement, that before the enemy had an ink-
ling of her presence she was upon them, whacking
right and left, and putting them to headlong flight.

As they sped in terror beyond her reach she noted
with grim satisfaction that one of them, whom she
recognized as Deacon Patton's son Rawl, was smeared
from head to foot with a dark crimson substance
that gave him a most sanguinary appearance.

"Thet young rascal upstairs treated 'em to one
dose anyway 1 " she exclaimed, under her breath,
^^and I don't care if it was a pot of my best red
currant."

Reentering the house panting and flushed from her
exertions, the minister's housekeeper encountered
the minister himself just issuing from the study
where he had passed the night. He was calmly
smiling and evidently oblivious of the recent
turmoil.

" Good morning. Miss Tabitha," he said politely,
" I trust — "

" Your habit of trusting is going to lead you into
trouble, if you don't have a care," interrupted the
wrathful woman with an unwonted brusqueness, as
she darted past him and sped back to her own
room.

" Whatever can have happened ? " soliloquized the

148 BRETHBEN OF THE COAST

Parson, gazing in mild dismay after the retreating
form. " I don't know when I have seen Tabitha in
such a perturbed state of mind."

What had happened was, that Zack Truitt, while
taking his eaae in Rockingham Tavern the evening
before, had related such strange tales of the young
passenger whom he had just set down at Parson
Spicer's door, as to excite the liveliest curiosity in
several boys who happened to be among his auditors.
Each of them resolved to seize the very earliest
opportunity for catching a glimpse of the " Cubian "
lad who had fought pirates " 'long with Al Spicer,"
according to the stage-driver's account. So, shortly
after sunrise they gathered in front of the minister's
house, where they were quickly made aware that
their mission was not in vain.

Theo, having always been accustomed to wake
with the birds, found no reason for changing this
habit in his new place of abode. Neither had he
been taught that it was not exactly the thing to
lean from an upper window of a town house in his
night robe. Thus sunrise found him in that very
position, gazing with eager interest at his novel sur-
roundings, and it was while he was so engaged that
he was discovered by the investigating committee of
townsboys. For a minute they regarded him in
silence, since the frilled cap on his head led to the
suspicion that the form might be that of Miss Tabby
herself. As it became certain that such was not the

"A FIOHTma, FOREIGN HEATHENER*' 140

case, and it was equally obvious that the person
viewing the scenery was not Mr. Spicer, they realized
that he must be the very boy they had come to inves-
tigate, the young pirate fighter from Cuba. And
yet who ever heard of a boy that amounted to any-
thing wearing a nightcap ?

"Perhaps it's the regular thing in Cuby," suggested
one, in a whisper.

" Then the Cubians must be a set of sissies," re-
marked another, contemptuously. " The idea of Al
Spicer making friends with a feUow that wears a
nightcap ! Wonder if his hair is done up in curl
papers? Hi, Sissy, up in the window, what's your
name ? "

" Tay-o-f eel-o — " began the stranger, promptly,
regarding the new-comers with interest, but his
further utterance was cut short by a yell of derision.

" Tay O'Feelo 1 What a name ! "

" Looks like green tay, don't he ? "

"If he's a fighter, he must be gunpowder tay,"
cried Rawl Patton. '* Let's try him."

With this the speaker flung a chunk of hard clay
so accurately that if Theo had not dodged it would
have hit him in the face, and instantly the fight was
on ; for at this business our young pirate was in his
element.

He replied to the first shot with a bootjack that
had somehow found its way to the attic room and
lay on the floor beside him. Then, looking about for

160 BRETHREN OE THE COAST

further ammunition, he discovered a closet in which
he found a number of old books, a quantity of empty
jam-pots, and some that were full. These last were
only sealed with writing-paper neatly pasted over
their mouths. In another minute the air in front of
the minister's house was filled with a fluttering
stream of Fox's Martyrs, Baxter's Saint's Rest, Plu-
tarch's Lives, and empty jam-pots, making their way
against return volleys of chunks, sticks, and pebbles.
Theo's last shot was his best, as was testified by Rawl
Patton's appearance when Miss Tabitha caught sight
of that rapidly retreating youth.

When Mr. Spicer sat down to his belated break-
fast that morning, he gazed about him inquiringly.

" Where is our young guest?" he asked.

''Locked up in the attic closet," answered Miss
Tabby, curtly.

'' Locked into a closet I " repeated the minister,
setting down his untasted coffee. ''May I inquire
why?"

"For acting like the young heathen he is and
flinging things out of his window at a parcel of out-
rageous boys who seemed to have some spite against
him, and with good reason too, I've no doubt."

"Did they also fling things?" inquired Mr.
Spicer.

" I should say they did."

"Then perhaps our lad only acted in self-defence,
though of course in any case his conduct was repre-

"A FIGHTING, FOBBIGN HEATHENBR" 161

hensible and must be investigated. But I cannot
allow him to be starved, and so request that you will
fetch him down to his breakfast."

^^ He can't come as he is, for he hasn't a thing to
wear."

" Nothing to wear 1 "
"Nothing except a red worsted tippet."
"Where are the clothes he had on last night?"
"If you call those rags clothes, I burned them."
Without another word, but with a faint flush in
his cheeks, the minister rose from the table and left
the room.

" Now what is he up to ?" soliloquized Miss Tabby.
For nearly half an hour she sat in grim silence
awaiting developments. Then the minister re-
turned, leading their young guest by the hand, and
Miss Tabitha opened her eyes wide with amaze-
ment at his appearance. He was clad in a pair
of buff nankeen trousers that fitted him tightly and
only came to his bare ankles. These were buttoned
to a linen waist that had once been white but was
now yellowed by age in creases. It had a broad
coUar that was turned over a blue cloth jacket*
The latter was ornamented by tarnished brass but-
tons and had sleeves much too short for its present
wearer. This suit was one that had belonged to
Alvord Spicer's boyhood, and had been treasured
by his mother untU she died : since then it had been
preserved with equal care by the minister, together

15t BBETHBBN OF THE COAST

with a few other precious relics of his married life.
The boy who now wore it was barefooted, but an
attempt had evidently been made to brush his hair,
and his face shone from a recent ablution.

"I find," said Mr. Spicer, gravely, as he placed
Theo at the table, "that the other lads began the
aggressive measures of which you informed me.
Being thus wantonly attacked, this youth, who, I
fear, has been taught to meet violence with violence,
only lived up to his teaching in resisting with what
means he could command. I have, however, shown
him the error of such a course, and feel convinced
that in the future he will pursue the one I have
pointed out, instead."

" Humph 1 " sniffed Miss Tabby, evidently mis-
trustful of this conclusion. She looked volumes
more, but wisely held her peace until she found
opportunity for a private conversation with her
employer ; then she said : —

**I suppose you have made up your mind, Mr.
Spicer, to keep this boy ? "

"Certainly, I shall keep him and care for him,
at least until the coming of my son Alvord, who
commended him to me."

"And supposing, just for the sake of supposing,
that your son shouldn't ever come?"

" Then I should continue to regard the boy as a
precious legacy and should care for him until he
was able to care for himself."

"A FIGHTING, FOREIGN HEATHENER" 153

" In that case," said Miss Tabitha, decisively, " I
must ask you to look about for another housekeeper,
seeing as I didn't never bargain when I came here
to take care of children, let alone boys, and es-
pecially a young fighting foreign heathener like
him."

CHAPTER XIX

SAD BESULT OF GOZNG TO SCHOOL

As would be said in our days, Miss Tabby had
gone on a strike, and though her place might have
been supplied by an equally competent person, such
a possibility never occurred to the old gentleman,
who now regarded her with a mild surprise.

"Why, Miss Tabitha — " he began; but she in-
terrupted him with : —

" There's no use argying the matter. Parson. If
you've made up your mind, why, so have I. There's
only one condition on which I'll stay an hour longer
in this house along with that young reprobate who
sets there in Al Spicer's clothes, locking's though
butter wouldn't melt in his mouth."

"May I inquire what that is?"

"You don't need to, for I'm going to tell you
of my own accord. If I can have my niece Lyddy
Dove come to live with me, I'll try and stay on ;
but if I can't, I must see if I can't make a home
for her somewheres else."

Heretofore this question of Lydia Dove, who,
an orphan, was Miss Tabitha's only Uving relative,
had been a serious point of difference between the

164

SAD RESULT OF GOING TO SCHOOL 166

minister and his housekeeper. She had always de*
sired to have the little girl witli her; while he,
with an instinctive dread of children about the
house, had firmly refused to allow her to do so.

**' Do you imagine that doubling an evil will cure
it?" he asked.

^^ Certainly not, Parson. I ain't such a fool as
that, but in this case the evil would be halved
instead of doubled. As I look at it, the influence of
a nice, quiet little girl would do more than all your
preaching, powerful as it is, to convert this young
foreigner from his heathen ways. Besides, he's
going to make a lot of extra work at which she can
help me. Any one that's had 'em both will tell you
that while boys is nothing but torments in a house,
a handy girl will more'n earn her board every day
in the year."

^^But as I understand it, your niece is only a
child, little more than an infant in fact," objected
the minister, still feebly striving to maintain his
position.

"She's most rising of eleven," retorted Miss
Tabby, with spirit, " and uncommon smart of her
age like all of her folks, if I do say it as shouldn't.
Yes, sir, she's old enough to prove a help in any
family you choose to put her. But if you think you
can manage this boy, and get along better without
me, why I'll — "

" But I don't, my dear Miss Tabitha," broke la

1S6 BKETUKKN OF THE COAST

the minister, aghast at the prospect. *' I assure you,
I have not the slightest idea that I could manage
better, or indeed at all, without your efficient aid.
So if you insist — "

"It is a pleasure," interrupted the triumphant
Miss Tabby, "to deal with a man of sense, seeing
as so few of 'em has any, and I'll continue to do the
best I can, sir, not only for you, but with this cross
you are called upon to bear." Here the speaker
oast a significant glance at Theo, who had been all
this time industriously eating his breakfast.

So it was settled that Lydia Dove was to enter the
minister's household, and, though she could not be
expected for a week or more, her aunt began im-
mediately to plan for her coming.

In the meantime, after family prayers, at which
Theo wondered greatly, and a long interview during
which Mr. Spicer gained but a confused idea of the
boy's previous life, or how he had reached Ports-
mouth, the minister decided to introduce him at
once to the scene of his future activities. For this
purpose the two set forth, the Parson with his beaver
hat and silver-headed cane, leading by the hand
the bareheaded and barefooted young stranger. Of
course the latter attracted an immense amount of curi-
ous attention, not only by his unique appearance, but
because his story, with ever increasing exaggerations,
had already spread like wildfire through the quiet
town. Thus he was variously known as the son of

SAD RESULT OF GOING TO SCHOOL IW

a pirate chiefs as a jomxg savage belonging to a
cannibal tribe, as a sou of Alvoi-d Spieer, and as the
hero of untold adventures* The minister bowed and
smiled in reply to the many greetings he received
from acquaintances, and to a few who stopped to
speak with him, he introduced Theo as ^'^ Master
Theophilus Blow- Breeze, from the island of Cuba,
a young friend oi my son Alvord." Some of these
asked Theo questions, while patting him on the
head, but ho was too bewildered to make reply, save
by an occasional "Si, Senor," or '^Gracias, Seiiora.'^
Nor did he seem to appreciate the many points of
interest, including public buildings and the resi-
dences ol prominent citizens to which the minister
strove to attract his attention. His mind was in a
whirl, and new impressions were crowding into it
so thickly as to form a confused jumble.

When they reached the principal business street
of the town, Mr. Spieer turned into the shop of a
hatter, where, after much deliberation and discussion
with the proprietor, he purchased for his young com-
panion a beaver hat, that was a smaller counterpart
of the one worn by himself. It was low-crowned»
and so vastly unbecoming that the sober face of the
boy, seen beneath its broad, curly brim, appeared
that of an insufferable little prig. While Theo had
felt uncomfortable before in his tight-fitting gar-
ments;, his. diseomfort was sadly increased by that
heavy boaTer> thft very first hmd eoverin^ he had

158 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

ever worn. It was as nothing, however, to what
immediately followed ; for the very next place they
entered was the shop of a bootmaker. At a remote
period of his life Theo had worn tiny hotas of soft
leather ; but for years his feet had been as innocent
of covering as his head. Thus he had grown to con-
sider this condition so natural that he had no idea of
the fate in store for him when he entered that awful
doorway.

The minister, on the other hand, had felt ill at
at ease in leading an imshod boy about the streets ;
for although most American boys of that day went
barefooted in the summer time, it was always in
the country, while in cities only such as could not
afford shoes were seen without them. At that time
also, machine-made boots were unknown, and but
few of those turned out by hand were kept in stock.
Mr. Spicer's choice, therefore, was limited, and when
poor Theo left the shop, he wore a pair of heavy,
square-toed shoes much too large for him, and fas-
tened with shiny steel buckles.

As ready-made hosiery was unprocurable, all such
articles being knitted by hand at home, his patron
was unable to procure any socks for him just then.
So quite a space of bare ankle was left exposed,
between the tops of his clumsy shoes and the
bottom of his close-fitting yellow trousers.

Having thus arrayed his young charge to the best
of his ability, the minister led him, walking awk-

SAD RESULT OF GOING TO SCHOOL 160

wardly, and with great discomfort, toward the
" academy " of Master Lemuel Biggs, where he had
decided to enter the lad as a pupil. As the day was
already half spent, he only proposed to introduce
him at present and allow him to begin his scholastic
career on the morrow.

He tried to explain this to Theo as they walked,
but the lad, never haying heard of an academy, was
unable to form a conception of what was before him.
When, therefore, he found himself inside the school-
house, confronted by the concentrated gaze of some
fifty boys and girls, aU of whom neglected every-
thing else to stare at him, he remained standing, just
within the doorway, utterly bewildered, while Mr.
Spicer stepped forward to shake hands with the
master.

For a moment the scholars stared in amazed
silence at the queerly clad boy, who had not even
manners enough to remove his hat. Then a little
girl giggled, and, as though the sound were a signal,
the entire school, forgetful of discipline, and care-
less of consequences, broke into a roar of uncontrol-
lable laughter.

For an instant Theo stood his ground, though his
face blazed with anger and he longed to attack the
entire assemblage single handed. Then, with a sud-
den, overwhelming sense of helplessness, he turned,
and darted from the open door. Both the minister
and the schoolmaster ran after him, calling loudly

wo BRSTHIllEN OJ THE COAST

lor him to stop, and JR another minute the entire
aclohool had poured tumultuoualy into tKe street, wild
-with delight at the spectacle of this extraorduiarf
<^ia8e. Sadly impeded by his clumpy shoes, the fugi'^
ti^e paused long enough to tear them from his feet
and fling them as far as possible, then he resumed
hi» terrified flight with the. speed of a hunted deer«

Mr. Spieer, already breathless, stopped to pick
up the discarded shoes, and the mob of yeUing^
chUdren, headed by their schoolmaster, swept past
him^ Following anxiously after, with such speed
aa hia age would permit, the minister next discoy^
ored and reclaimed from a gutter, where Theo had
flung it,, the recently purchased beayer that had
pgpessed so heavily on the boy's unaccustomed browv

In the meantime the chase, though lost to Mr^
Spiocff's view, wa» maintained with unflagging zeal
and ever increasing uproarit YeUs of " stop thief ! "'
were heard on all sides. Shopkeepers and house-*^
wives rushed to doora and windows.. Pedestrian*
attempted to head o£E the furtive by jumping vx
front of him with wildly waving arm^ while wammx^.
sweeping off their front steps, flew at him with
brandished brooma. BuA he dodged th^m all> and
flnally reached tho water front, where a score of
vessels lay moored to the wharves^ Heretofore he
had fl^ blindly> and with but slight hope of ulti-*
saate escapew Now,, at the familia:t sight of shipQ
hft gained a. n^w couragck

SAD |t£SVLT 01^ QOINO TO SCHOOL Vn

His pursuers had been distaBced and were out of
sight as he darted aboard the nearest vessel with the
intention ol coaicealing himseli in her lowest depths
To his disappointnatent^ her orew were discharging a
cargo of sugar, with every hatch cover off, so that
her hold was flooded with light. It was evident
that he could not hide tbere> ar^ as he glaneedi
hurriedly about for some other place, the iftob of
his pursuers, that now seemed to include half the
town> came howling around a corner. The foremost
uttered yells of triumph as they caught sight of Imsk
and riished forward to capture him.

With an impulse born of despair the hunted lad
sprang into the main rigging and ran rapidly alolt.
At the topsail yard he paused to look down* The
deck of the ship was crowded with people, all
gazing up at him, shouting and gesticulating. The
crew had ceased their labors, and already two of
them were in the rigging, one on either side, climbing
toward him.

What had he done that he should be so hunted ?
He could not remember, for his brain was in a whirl
of excitement, but it must be something dreadful.
At any rate he must not be caught if he could
help it ; and as he could not go down, he must con-
tinue his upward course. Perhaps he might reach
a place big enough for a boy, but to which no man
would dare trust himself.

So the fugitive ran nimbly upward, past topgal-

162 BBETHBEN OF THE COAST

lant sail and royal, until only a slender pole bare of
rigging remained above him. Swarming up this, he
sat triumphantly on the main truck, a flat circular
bit of wood capping the mast, from which he could
look over the roofs of the town and far out across
its shining harbor. He must be safe there, for surely
no man would dare ascend that slender spar.

Even as Theo comforted himself with this thought,
the mast began to shake; and, glancing straight
down, he was dismayed to see an active young sailor
almost within touching distance. Terrified out of
his senses, the poor lad drew up his feet and then
stood erect on his lofty pedestal, while the crowd
below held its breath. For half a minute the boy
balanced himself. Then he sprang outward from
Hie dizzy height and shot straight down nearly a
hundred feet, with the speed of an arrow.

CHAPTER XX

THEO SHOCKS THE CONGBEGATIOK

An involuntary cry of horror broke from the
up-gazing crowd as they witnessed Theo's terrible
leap. Then they rushed for the outer side of the
ship to note where he struck the water. They had
good cause to be alarmed, since a leap from such a
height would probably have killed any one of them ;
but with our young pirate it was different. He had
frequently sprung into the water, near his cave at
Cape Cruz, from rocky points lifted thirty, forty,
and even fifty feet above it. Thus, while this leap
was twice as high as any he had hitherto under-
taken, he knew just how to hold himself, and shot
downward with rigid body, feet close together, and
arms pressed tightly against his sides. Only just as
he struck did his body seem to lose something of
its rigidity and to swerve slightly from a perfect
perpendicular.

There was a gasp of relief from the spectators as,
after a few seconds of almost intolerable suspense,
the boy reappeared on the surface ; but it was suc-
ceeded by a groan of dismay when, with a few feeble
struggles, he again sank from their sight.

163

164 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

" Bring a boat ! " yelled some.

" Throw a line ! " shouted others.

" Fetch a life preserver, quick ! "

Before any of these things could be done an active
lad, apparently but little older than Theo himself,
had torn off jacket and shoes, leaped to the rail, and
taken a header at the very spot where the other had
just dis;»ppeaired. He wa& Bawl Pattoa, generally
acknowledged to be the best swimmer of his age in
Poxtsmauth, and the very Ud who had been smearedi
with currant jam by Theo that, mornings Now he,
had gone to the rescue of hi^ recent adversary, and
just in time» too ; for when he reappeared on the^
suxlace,. shonting lor help, he brought with him an
unconscious form.

By thk time, several small boats were pulling
i»pidly toward the scene, and before Bawl Patton'a
strength was exhausted both he and his helpless
burden were dragged into one of them, amid wild
cheering from the spectators.

A few minutes later a CMriage dashed up to.
Parson Spicer's house, and that gentleman> agitated
to a degree hitherto^ unknown,, began to shout for
Miss Tabitha, even as he alighted from it.. His
movements were so embarrassed by a beaver hat and
a pair o£ shoes> which he. carefully treasured, that
as ha reached the. door, twa other men> bearing
between themi the slight form oi Theo Breezes^ werci
close at his heels« At thQ same time ^ crowd o£

WHBM HB AM-BAkEU

UKCONSCLOUS FORM.

^- • •.'.. :.i-N.^X AND
ULrttN rOUNOATIOKlft

THEO SHOCKS THE CX)NORB»ATION 1«5

townspeople^ who had been outstripped by the car*
Tiage^ appeared around a corner^ ruiming toward
liie house.

^ For the land's sake I " exclaimed Miss TaHtiia^ as
she flung open the door and was confronted by this
startling sight, *' whatever under the canopy ■ — ! "

** It is only our poor lad, who has been overboard
in the sea and needs a little of your kindly care,"
exclaimed Mr. Spicer, with an effort at calmness.

"Been in the water, has he ? Of course, I might
have known he would, seeing be's a boy. And needs
nursing, does he ? Needs a switching, more like ;
and he'll get it, too, before Vm done with him if he
keeps up these capers. But fetch him upstairs, and
I'U do what one poor woman can» Land o' good-
ness I He ain't dead^ is he ? " she added in alarm,
as she caught sight of tha boy's white face and
closed eyes.

Within half an hour Theo, restored to conscious-
ness, and again robed in one of Miss Tabitha's night-
gowns, was lying peacefully between the sheets of
the attic bed. The outside crowd had been dis-
persed, and the kindly hearted housekeeper found
time to ask questions^

**How did he get into the water? Jxmiped from
the top of a mast ? What did he do that for ? Is
the child crasy? How'd you evsr let him get to
such a place, Mr* Spicer ? I declare, I thought you
had mote sense ! But I might have known, seeing

166 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

as you are a man. * Chased there, was he ? and by a
mob — whatever had the creature done ? Committed
robbery, or murder, or what ? Nothing at all 1 It
was all a mistake ? Then I must say the people of
this town are even greater idiots than I gave 'em
credit for being. I only wish I'd been there with a
broom. I'd taught 'em to make the mistake of
minding their own business instead of chasing a
friendless stranger to his death. I'd shown 'em that
there was one person in Portsmouth to stand up for
an innocent child, even if there wasn't a man in the
place dared do it. You did your best ? Oh, yes,
I don't doubt that, Mr. Spicer, and I see you did
manage to save his hat and shoes, even while others
were seeking his life. But it makes my blood run
hot and cold to think what that poor child must have
suffered before he took that awful leap straight to
death, as it were, seeing as how he couldn't swim a
stroke. And Rawl Patton saved him, did he?
Bless the boy I I'll make him a cake for that and
he shall eat every mite of it if he wants to, even if
it kills him."

True to her word, sour-faced but tender-hearted
Miss Tabby, after tiptoeing upstairs for a look at
Theo, whom she found quietly sleeping, immediately
set to work on one of her famous fruit cakes. It
was composed of the richest materials procurable,
and late that afternoon, when Rawl Patton came to
inquire after the boy whom he had rescued, she

THEO SHOCKS THE CONGREGATION 167

presented it to him as a reward of merit and a token
of her highest esteem. She also allowed him to visit
Theo in his attic room, where, with a rare wisdom,
she left the two to cement a friendship after the
manner of masculine youth.

Nor was Rawl the only visitor of that afternoon;
for even while she worked over her cake. Miss
Tabitha was called upon to entertain a number of
ladies, who insisted upon coming right into the
kitchen for a good talk concerning the exciting
events of the day. When, with many exclamations
of incredulous amazement, these had gained all the
information regarding the mysterious young stranger
that their hostess possessed, including the fact that
he had not a rag to his back, their pity both for the
boy and Miss Tabitha herself found voluble expres-
sion. Several of them proffered articles of clothing
that their own boys had outgrown or cast aside,
while others agreed to knit socks, and all were liberal
with advice as to how a boy should be brought up.
« 'Tain't the same as if he wa« a girl," said one, « for
they are easy compared with boys, though, goodness
knows, even a girl can prove a trial at times."

" I'm going to have both," admitted Miss Tabitha ;
" for my sister's only child, Lyddy Dove, who is an
orphan, is coming to live with me."

At this there was a renewed chorus of exclama-
tions, and Mrs. Deacon Fatten declared that how
Miss Tabby, without any experience with children,

im BRETHREN OF THE COAST

could undertake to bring up a ready-made family of
boys and girls, "VFas more tlian she oottld unde]i6tand%

** I've seen enough of how others does it to steer
cl<dar of their mistakes/' replied Miss Tabitha^ bri>
dling. " As for Lyddy Dove, she won't be anjrthiog
but a comfort, seeing as she comes of a family trained
m tlie ways of righteousness for generations."

*♦ Maybe so," said Mrs- Pattern, doubtfully. " Some-
times I've took notice, though, that the most trained
is also the most troublesome."

"Well, I'll resk Lyddy," retorted Miss Tabitha,
decidedly.

All the following day Theo was kept in bed while
«k wardrobe of odds and ends was being collected
£or him, sinoe his blue jacket and yellow tiankeen
trousers had come to such grief during his recent
<6scapade as to be no longer serviceable.

It happened tiiat the first day on which he again
made an appearance in the outer world was Sunday,
and with it came another series of novel experiences.
To begin with, he was once more made to wear those
hated shoes, this time with the addition of a pair
of gray yarn socks, and the equally detested beaver
hat. Then he was taken to church, which he
imstgined to be another school, and regarded with
apprehension. Having marched up the broad aisle
in Miss Tabitha's wake, with his hat on his head to
the scandal of the congregation, and had it snatched
off by that lady as they entered the minister's

THEO SHOCKS THE CONGREGATION 109

pew, our lad sat for a moment gazing about him in
perplexed silence. Then his eye lighted upon a
friend in a pew across the way, and he horrified the
assembled worshippers by calling out cheerfully : —

" Hi, Rawl ! How you do ? " much to that young
man's confusion.

" Sh ! " breathed the scandalized Miss Tabby, at the
same time clutching the culprit's arm. " Don't you
know you mustn't talk in church ? " she whispered.

" One man talking," replied the unabashed Theo
aloud, at the same time pointing to Mr. Spicer, who
was just beginning to read from the Bible.

" Sh ! " was Miss Tabby's only answer.

During ft, long pr.y». T^eo agdn disg^ced
himself by laughing aloud, because Rawl Patton
winked at him from under the arm on which his
head was bowed. After that, lulled by the sermon,
he went to sleep, and slipped with a crash to the
floor. To complete Miss Tabitha's mortification he
walked out of the sacred edifice, at the conclusion of
the service, in his stocking feet, carrying in his
hands the intolerable shoes that he had kicked off
some time earlier. For these manifold offences he
was given a long lecture, allowed only bread and
water for dinner, and confined to his room for the
remainder of the day, at all of which he wondered,
without comprehending why. Upon the whole, he
was very glad when Sunday was over, and hoped
another would not come for a year.

170 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

Relieved as Theo was to have done with Sunday,
he looked forward to Monday with dread; for, on
that morning he was to begin school, going this
time under the guidance of Rawl Patton. The lat-
ter was proud to act as chaperon to one who had
already created such a sensation ; but was too wise
to appear in the vicinity of the school building,
where he knew all the scholars would be awaiting
them, until the very last moment. As the two
strolled leisurely along, plying each other with
questions, Rawl suddenly exclaimed : —

*' Oh ! I say, you mustn't speak out in school the
way you did in church yesterday. If you do, old
Biggs will give you a merry caning."

'' What it is, this caning ? " asked Theo.

" Why, a licking, a thrashing, a beating."

"If the man Bigg beat me, I would kill him,"
remarked Theo, quietly.

Before Rawl could remonstrate against this start-
ling proposition, the Academy bell began the slow
tolling of its last three strokes, and to avoid being
late they were forced to run. In another moment,
Theo Breeze stood once more within the dread
precincts from which on a previous occasion he had
fled as for his life.

CHAPTER XXI

A SCHOOLliASTEB PUT TO FLIGHT

Although Theo was still densely ignorant of
the ways of civilization, recent experience had
taught him that he need not wear that horrid
head covering, called a hat, when under a roof.
So upon entering the schoolroom for the second
time, he promptly removed it. Noticing this, the
master remarked : —

"I see you've learned manners, William Blow,
and trust that hereafter you will behave as becomes
a young gentleman. At any rate, it will behoove
you to do so, since the discipline of this academy
is very strict, and I never aUow my pupils to be-
come spoiled for lack of the wholesome pickle of
the rod. Now you may sit with Rawl Patton,
until after prayers, when I will examine into your
mental capacity."

As the two boys walked down the aisle toward
Rawl's desk, whicl;!, as he was an advanced pupil,
was in the rearmost row, a loutish lad stuck out
his foot so that Theo stumbled over it and very
nearly measured his length on the floor. Recover-
ing himself, he turned wrathfully, and would have

171

172 BBETHREN OF THE COAST

sprung upon the offender had not Rawl caught him
by the arm and pulled him away. " Not now," he
whispered; "wait till recess."

After morning prayers, which convinced poor,
perplexed Theo that church and school were one
and the same, he was called to the master's desk
for examination, in order that his standing in the
school might be at once decided.

"Read me that page," commanded Mr. Biggs,
handing his new pupil an open book. Until com-
ing to Portsmouth, Theo had never so much as seen
a book, much less handled one. So it is not sur-
prising that, taking the volume, and regarding it
with interest, he also held it upside down. Be-
lieving this to be done on purpose, Mr. Biggs
struck the boy's wrists smartly with his switch, at
the same time exclaiming : —

"Don't attempt to be funny with me, sir."

So amazed was Theo that he uttered a little cry
and dropped the book to the floor.

" Pick it up, sir," commanded the master, and the
boy obeyed.

"Now find page twenty-three."

Theo only stared uncomprehendingly.

" Is the lad an idiot, or only pig-headed ? " queried
Mr. Biggs, as he took the book, found the required
page, and bade his pupil read its printed words.

Of course the latter could not read, nor could
he answer a single one of the questions with

A SCHOOLMASTEB PUT TO FLIGHT 178

which the master sought to gauge his mental
capacity. He did not even know the first letter of
the alphabet. As a result he was made to sit at
the extreme end of the lowest form in school, the
one occupied by the youngest and most backward
children. Here he was given a slate with the letters
ABC printed on it and told to copy them, at the
same time saying them over to himself until he had
learned them.

All this proved deeply interesting to the other
scholars, several of whom smiled and assumed supe-
rior airs as Theo's ignorance was disclosed ; but
others, and among them Rawl Patton, were moved
to a sincere pity by the lad's mortifying position.
Among those who sneered was the boy who had
attempted to trip Theo a short time before. His
name was Beltshazzar Luke, and he was of so mean
a nature as to be bitterly jealous of the sensational
interest aroused by the new-comer. Thus feeling,
he rejoiced at the latter's present mortification, and
was determined to annoy him in every way possible.

Thus it happened that while poor Theo was puz-
zling over the mysterious characters on his slate,
saying over and over to himself "Abeecy, abeecy,"
and wondering what it meant, something suddenly
stung him on the cheek. Glancing quickly up, he
detected a knowing smile on several faces, but
could not discover what had struck him, nor whence
it came. As he again bent over his tiresome " Ab-

174 BBETHREN OF THE COAST

eecy " a pellet of shot struck his slate. Now he
knew what to look for, and also the direction from
which he was being attacked ; but for half a minute
he gave no sign. Then suddenly facing about, he
caught " Belt " Luke in the very act of discharging
another pellet at him from a blow-gun. Like a
flash Theo's slate went hurtling through the air
toward the disturber of his peace. It barely missed
the lad's head, and, striking a corner of the desk
behind him, smashed into a dozen pieces.

Unfortunately the master turned from a black-
board, at which he had been engaged, just in time
to witness this act. In another minute he was
upon our lad, administering to him as severe a thrash-
ing as he had ever seen fit to inflict upon a pupil.

" There ! you young scoundrel ! " he exclaimed,
when, exhausted by his efforts, he allowed the boy
to drop back into his seat. ^^ Let that be a lesson
to you against any further hurling of missiles in this
schoolroom, and, for the future, see that you behave
yourself."

During this terrible ordeal Theo had not uttered
a sound, but now he sat livid and gasping. Once
before in his life he had had a similar beating at the
hands of Diablito, and he had never forgotten nor
forgiven it. Then he had been a child too weak to
defend himself, but now he felt that he was almost
a man, and he well knew from years of piratical
training what men did under such circumstances.

A SCHOOLMASTER PUT TO FLIGHT 176

At recess time he was not allowed to go out with
the other children, but was kept in to study those
hateful letters which he vowed he would never learn,
nor even look at, if he could help it. When school
was dismissed at noon, our lad fulfilled the first
duty he had planned for himself by seeking out
"Belt" Luke, and attacking him with such fury
that inside of a minute he had the young bully
thoroughly whipped and begging for mercy.

Then the other boys, with Rawl Patton at their
head, separated the combatants, and the latter
walked home with the victor, praising his pluck,
and striving by every means to sooth his outraged
feelings. But Theo was not to be placated nor
turned from his thoughts of vengeance, and he
received all of Rawl's well-meant efforts at con-
solation in silence. This same moody silence lasted
through dinner-time, to the dismay of Miss Tabitha,
who was alone in the house, Mr. Spicer having been
called out of town to conduct a funeral.

Shortly after the unsociable meal was ended,
Rawl Patton's whistle sounded in the street ; and
while Miss Tabby was looking at him from a front
window, Theo ran out of a back door. As he passed
through the kitchen he snatched something from a
table, and slipped it into the bosom of his shirt.
Then he joined his friend. All the way to school
he maintained the same ominous silence. Rawl
vainly sought to break it by talking freely of the

176 BRETHKEN OF THE COAST

morning's incident, and telling his companion that
he must not mind a little thing like a school thrash-
ing, which, he explained, was something given to
all boys with greater or less frequency. " The fel-
low who doesn't get thrashed once in a while is
either a sneak or a sissy," he said in conclusion,
"and I wouldn't like to think you were either/'

Then Theo halted on the academy steps, and
broke his long silence, saying : —

" For the thrashing I care not ; it is the insult.
But the man Bigg, I will kill him."

With this significant utterance our young pirate
entered the schoolroom, walked calmly to his seat
among the little children, took up the tiresome slate
that had been substituted for the one he had
smashed, and began muttering under his breath,
" Abeecy, abeecy," until at length the meaningless
words got somehow changed into " A beast, a beast,"
which is what he was thinking.

For a moment after being left alone Rawl Patton
stood irresolute. He had never been a sneak nor a
tattle-tale, and he could not bear the thought of
doing anything that would place him in that cate-
gory. But somehow this case seemed different from
any he had ever experienced, and more serious.
Finally he made up his mind, entered the school-
room, and walking directly to the desk of the
master, said : —

"Mr. Biggs, Billy Blow says he will kill you."

A SCHOOLMASTER PUT TO FLIGHT 177

" Nonsense," retorted the master, sharply. " Merely
a childish threat, though if he repeats it, I shall have
to give him another thrashing. Go to your seat, sir."

Rawl obeyed and took his seat, but from it he
watched Theo, who with white face and drawn
features was apparently absorbed in study.

About the middle of the afternoon, when the
master was again at the blackboard, explaining a
problem to a class drawn up before his desk, Rawl
Patton suddenly uttered a cry that startled every
occupant of the room. At the sound, Mr. Biggs
whirled about in time to see creeping toward him a
lithe young figure, clutching a knife. Just then it
sprang forward, while the terrified schoolmaster
leaped nimbly to one side and ran for his life.
Twice he circled his own desk with Theo in hot
pursuit. Then he darted through the doorway and
into the street, only a few paces in advance of the
lad who was threatening his life. After them
poured the entire school, screaming with terror.

Fortunately there were men on the street cool-
headed and prompt to act in an emergency. Two
of these, roused by the master's yells of " Murder 1
Help ! Save me ! " closed in on Theo from behind,
snatched away the knife that he had taken from
Miss Tabby's kitchen, and held him in their power-
ful grasp almost before he realized their presence.
Finding himself thus helpless, with his cherished
vengeance still unsatisfied, the boy, from whom no

178 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

amount of suffering could draw a tear, began to
weep as though heart-broken.

" Who is he? What does it all mean? " asked the
bewildered men. Rawl Patton explained that this
was the Cuban boy who lived at Parson Spicer's
house, who had leaped from a ship's masthead a few
days before, and who now wanted to kill the school-
master on account of a thrashing received that
morning.

"I see," said one of the men. "His brain is
affected, and no wonder, after jumping from the
Hero's main masthead. Well, Parson'll have to lock
him up till he gets right again, that's all; for it
evidently isn't safe to let him run at large. Only
hope he won't have to go to the 'sylum."

So it happened that, a few minutes later, Miss
Tabitha Sherlock was again summoned to the door
to meet her young charge, this time in deepest dis-
grace and heading a larger throng of townsfolk than
he had yet gathered.

Again was the unhappy lad locked into the attic
chamber, from which everything breakable or throw-
able had previously been removed, and placed on a
meagre diet of bread and water. Here both the
minister and Miss Tabby labored to soften his heart
and bring him to a realizing sense of his wicked-
ness; but neither of them could extract from him
a single word. He would not speak, and he would
not eat, but only stared in stony, stubborn silence.

A SCHOOLMASTEB PUT TO FLIGHT 179

A prayer-meeting was called in his behalf, and
consultations were held on all sides. The whole
town discussed and advised concerning him, but
without reaching any definite conclusion as to what
ought to be done. This state of affairs lasted all
day Tuesday without a change, then amid all the
excitement and worry Lydia Dove arrived, though
she was not expected until at least two days later.

CHAPTER XXII

THE COMING OF LYDIA DOVE

The two days just past had been the most unhappy
of Theo's life. In all the acts regarded by the good
people of that New England town as evidences of
either hopeless depravity or an unbalanced mind, he
had only lived up to the teachings of his past, and
now he was in despair over a situation that he could
not comprehend. He seemed to be without friends,
and was without hope. As he sat in the locked room
that had become his prison, he longed to be back
among the pirates of the Devil's Den. There he
had at least been free to lead his own life with prac-
tically no interference ; while here everything that
he did got him into trouble, and he suffered persecu-
tion from all sides. There Latrobe had loved and
cared for him ; here every one seemed to hate him
and wish him out of the way. How gladly would
he rid them of his presence if he could only make an
escape, but that appeared impossible. He could die,
though, and thus relieve both himself and others
from further trouble. So he deliberately refused to
eat, and set out to starve himself.

180

THE COMING OF LYDIA DOVE 181

In the meantime the kindly heart of the minister
ached for the boy whom he could not comprehend
any more than the latter could understand him.

Miss Tabitha, on the other hand, felt very bitter
toward the lad. In her estimation all boys were
monuments of depravity; but this one was by far
the worst she had ever known. To think that he
had actually attempted murder, and with her kitchen
knife — after what she had done for him, too. Such
wickedness and such ingratitude were beyond for-
giveness. She was in favor of sending him either
to prison or an asylum; but to neither of these
propositions would Mr. Spicer listen for a mo-
ment.

" As I have already said, the child has doubtless
been taught to return violence with violence," he
argued, "and in giving him a thrashing without
explanation, Master Biggs placed himself decidedly
in the wrong, as I have told him. So whatever hap-
pens, our guest shall not be further punished."

" Then," said Miss Tabby, grimly, " he will prob-
ably kill us all in our beds. I shall write at once to
Lyddy not to come, as I could not think of allowing
her to associate with a murderer, who is also a heathen
and a foreigner. Neither will I remain in the house
with him and without her. So, Mr. Spicer, you had
best look about at once for another to take charge of
your house."

Thus matters stood at the close of tHe second day

182 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

of Theo's imprisonment, which seemed destined to
last for the remainder of his life. The minister sat
sorrowfully in his study, striving in vain to decide
what was best to be done. Miss Tabby was in the
kitchen angrily preparing a scanty supper, and Theo
knelt at his attic window, measuring with his eye,
for the hundredth time, the distance to the nearest
limb of the great elm.

All at once his attention was attracted by the
rattle of approaching wheels, and looking in that
direction, he saw a two-horsed stage wagon advancing
in a cloud of dust and at unheard-of speed. To his
unbounded amazement it was driven by a girl who
seemed to be its sole occupant. His only thought
was that the horses were running away, and that the
girl was vainly striving to control them. Upon the
impulse of the moment he uttered a loud cry, and
the girl, glancing up, caught sight of him.

Setting her brake with the skill of a practised
driver, and tugging with all her slender strength at
the reins, she succeeded in bringing her not unwilling
team to a standstill just in front of the big elm.
Then she called out to Theo : —

" Little boy, is this the house of the Reverend Mr.
Spicer, where Miss Tabitha Sherlock lives ? "

" Si, Seiiorita," answered our lad, greatly wonder-
ing.

"See what?" asked the girl, quickly, at the same
time glancing back over the way she had come.

THE COMING OF LYDIA DOVE 183

" Oh ! the man running ? I don't mind him, and he
can have his old stage now ; for I am sure this must
be Mr. Spicer's house."

So saying, the girl dropped the reins, stepped on
a wheel, and sprang lightly to the ground. She was
evidently a very self-possessed young woman, and
her freckled face, with its pert, little, turned-up nose,
was lighted by a pair of mischievous eyes, expressive
at once of self-will and unbounded vivacity. She
wore a short dress of figured gingham, beneath
which showed the ruffles of a pair of pantalets, heavy
shoes, a little cape over her shoulders, and her laugh-
ing face peeped charmingly from the depths of a
preposterous bonnet. Its broad ribbon strings were
tied in a bow beneath her chin, her hair was done in
two braids, and on her hands she wore mitts. As
she turned toward the house. Miss Tabitha, attracted
by the noise, appeared at its front door.

" How d'ye do, Aunt Tabby ! " cried the new
arrival, cheerily.

" For the land's sake ! If it ain't Lyddy Dove ! "
exclaimed the astonished woman, running out, gath-
ering the girl in her arms, and bestowing upon her
half a dozen kisses in rapid succession. " How on
earth did you ever get here ? I warn't looking for
you for a couple of days yet — why, I writ you only
yesterday not to come at all, on account of some-
thing dreadful that's happened."

" Oh, yes, I know," replied the girl, lightly, as she

184 BBETHBEN OF THE COAST

escaped from her aunt's embrace, and smoothed out
her rumpled dress: " your boy tried to kill his school-
teacher. The driver told me all about it, but I
don't mind. Of couriip you couldn't expect any-
thing else of a pirate boy. And he is a real truly
pirate, isn't he ? " she asked anxiously.

"Sakes, yes ! He acts like one," replied the
bewildered Miss Tabby.

" I'm so glad I " exclaimed the girl, with spark-
ling eyes. " What fun we'll have I And oh !
Aunt Tabby, this man wants a dollar for bringing
me. I told him you'd pay him."

Here she pointed to the stage-driver, who had just
arrived upon the scene, hot, dusty, and panting after
a long chase.

" Yes'm," he said, " and it's a wonder it ain't a
hundred for damages, seeing as this young lady run
away with the team while I was carrying a trunk
inter the widder Brown's house, and I thought noth-
ing else but she'd smash up the hull rig."

" He stopped to talk, and I was in a hurry," ex-
plained Lydia.

"I'm surprised at you, Liddy Dove," said Miss
Tabitha, reprovingly.

"Well, you needn't be. Aunt Tabby, for I've
driven horses ever since I was a little girl," answered
Miss Eleven-year-old.

" I'll pay you the dollar to-morrow," said Miss
Tabitha to the driver, ignoring this remark. " And

THE COMING OF LYDIA DOVE 186

now, Lyddy, come right into the house. But, child,
where are your things ? "

*' Oh, yes, I forgot ! " exclaimed Lydia, running
back to the stage, from which she returned with a
volume of " l^obinson Crusoe " that she had won as
a prize in school, and regarded as her most precious
treasure.

"But your trunk or bag, or whatever you have
brought, where is it ? " insisted her aunt.

" I didn't bring any," replied the young traveller.
" You see, when your letter came, the stage was just
ready to start, and I was so glad to get away from
that old place, that I didn't wait for anything. I
just borrowed Miss Atwater's second best bonnet to
travel in, because I only had a sunbonnet, you know.
But I left word for my things to be sent, and even
if they never come, I don't care, for I need every-
thing new, anyhow. But, Aunt Tabby, isn't supper
ready ? I'm as hungry as the Disciples when they
ate raw corn on the Sabbath."

Completely staggered by the calm self-possession
of the child. Miss Tabitha answered never a word,
but taking her by the hand led her into the house
and up to her own room. There she bade her wash
her face and hands, tidy her hair, and rest until she
called her down to supper. Then leaving her she
went up to the attic room, where, without a word to
Theo, she got a pot of jam from its closet. So pre-
occupied were her thoughts that, on leaving the

186 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

room, she neglected to lock its door, of which fact
Theo became instantly aware.

The boy's heart beat high with hope as he realized
that a slender chance of escape was thus opened to
him. Listening until Miss Tabitha's footsteps died
away, he slipped from the room and began cautiously
to descend the stairs.

He had barely reached the bottom of the first
flight when a door in front of him was suddenly
flung open, and the very girl whom he had seen
driving the stage stepped out.

" Oh ! " she cried, with a gasp of surprise. " Are
you the pirate boy ? I was just going to find you.
Tell me, did you really come from Cuba ? "

" Si, Senorita," answered the bewildered lad.

" That's what you said before when I asked you
a question, and I don't think it's polite to say ' see *
when you ought to answer ' yes ' or * no.' But come
in here where it is lighter, for I want to see how
you look."

With this Lydia took Theo by the hand, and led
him into Miss Tabitha's room, where she gazed at
him with eager curiosity.

" Seems to me you look just like any other boy,
and not at all like a pirate," she finally remarked in
a disappointed tone. "Did you really try to kill
the school teacher ? and what made you ? Don't
you. know it is awfully wicked to kill people even if
you are a pirate ? "

THE COMING OF LTDIA DOVE 187

"But the man Bigg, he beat me," began Theo,
eagerly; and then to this girl who, although a
stranger, already exercised a magnetic influence
over him, the poor boy, longing for human sympa-
thy and justification, poured forth his whole heart.
In his broken English, which Lydia seemed per-
fectly to understand, he told of his sorrows, of the
cruel injustice that had met him on all sides, and of
his determination to either run away or starve him-
self to death. He managed to impress his hearer
with such a realizing sense of his forlorn condition
that her eyes filled with tears, and, impulsively
flinging her arms about his neck, she kissed him,
saying at the same time : —

" Never mind, boy, I will love you and take care
of you, so that you shan't be abused any more, even
if you are a pirate. And I will read to you out of
my ' Robinson Crusoe,' so that you can see how much
harder times he had even than you, and how splen-
didly he came out of them. I hope then you'll
change your mind about running away, for-"

Here the little girl was interrupted by her aunt's
voice calling : " Lyddy ! Lyddy Dove I Supper's
ready."

" Come, boy," commanded Lydia, holding out her
hand. " I shan't go down without you, and you are
not to be locked up any longer."

A minute later, the two children entered the din-
ing room, hand in hand, to the amazement and in-

liB6 BRETHREN OF THE C0A8T

dignation of Miss Tabitha, who, as she caught sight
of them, cried out : " Lyddy Dove, what are you
doing ? I never heard of such forwardness. Aren't
you ashamed of yourself, miss ? I shall p&ek you
right back to Deerfield in the morning. Let go that
boy's hand instantly."

But the gentle, white-haired minister, who had
followed closely behind the culprits, silenced his
irate housekeeper by saying : " Hold thy peace,
woman, nor dare interfere in this matter. What
we now behold is a direct ordering of the Lord, and
where all others have failed this child hath gained a
victory."

CHAPTER XXIII

UTILIZING A PIRATICAL EDUCATION

With the coming of Lydia Dove a greater happi-
ness than Theo had ever before known entered into
his life. She was so cheery, wise, and self-reliant.
She took up his cause with such enthusiasm, and
understood him so readily, that, in spite of her
youth, and the fact that she was of the weaker sex,
he willingly accepted her guidance in all things, and
quickly became her devoted slave. On the very
first evening of their acquaintance she opened his
eyes to the value of books by reading to him from
her " Robinson Crusoe," and thereby so exciting his
interest that he longed to be able to read for him-
self.

"That's easy enough," said Lydia, when he ex-
pressed this desire. Then, in a single lesson she
cleared away the mystery of " Abeecy," and caused
him to understand the relation of letters to words.
She also explained the connection between printed
words and the objects for which they stood, by means
of the crude illustrations in her book. It was such
an agreeable novelty to Lydia to find herself in the
position of teacher, and Theo was so eager to be

189

190 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

taught, that within a week after the arrival of the
former, our pirate lad was able to read easy sen-
tences, and had even gained a certain famiUarity
with arithmetical figures, as represented by eggs.

During ttiis happy week nothing was said about
school. Miss Tabitha found it necessary to provide
her niece with an outfit of clothing before allowing
her to go, while Mr. Spicer realized that Theo had
much to learn of the ways of civilization prior to
entering upon its active duties as represented by
school life. Also, Mr. Biggs was reluctant to re-
ceive again into his academy the boy who had put
him to ignominious flight with a drawn knife. So,
for the present, Theo and Lydia played, studied, and
cultivated each other's acquaintance at home.

Nor did the imparting of instruction devolve en-
tirely upon the latter ; for, on the very first day,
Theo guided her to the wharves in order to point
out the ship from whose masthead he had leaped.
As the inland-bred girl knew nothing of sea or
ships, and as Theo knew more about them than he
did about anjrthing else, the one asked questions
which the other promptly answered, until Lydia
conceived a decided respect for the boy toward
whom she had been inclined to assume airs of supe-
riority when she found that he did not know how to
read.

This was most fortunate for the continuance of
their friendly relations, since no true friendship can

UTILIZING A PIRATICAL EDUCATION 191

exist without equality. Even the cordial feelings
entertained toward each other by Theo and Rawl
Patton were based upon gratitude and patronage ;
nor was a real friendship developed between them
until the former had been for some weeks reinstated
in school. Then two incidents occurred that com-
pletely changed their relations.

By the boys of Master Biggs's academy the first of
June was always hailed as opening day of the swim-
ming season. No matter what the weather might
be, every one who could swim, as well as many who
had not yet learned, was boimd to go into the water
on that day. A short distance above the town a
branch of the Piscataqua River known as Currier's
Creek presented an ideal swimming place, smooth,
free from obstructions, and having only a moderate
tidal current. On one side was pasture land bor-
dered by a thick pine woods, and on the other an
island. Both offered clean sandy beaches, and here
the academy boys were accustomed to inaugurate
their season of water sports.

For days beforehand the first of June was eagerly
anticipated, and its possibilities discussed by every
boy in school, except Theo, who did not quite imder-
stand what the others were talking about. However,
after school was dismissed on the eventful day, he
accepted Rawl Patton's invitation to come along and
take a lesson in swimming. ' " We'll soon teach you
the trick, Billy Blow," said the latter, ^^ so that the

Ifi2 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

next time yon drop overboard from a masthead, you
can paddle yourself ashore without help."

Theo only laughed, and the boys streamed away
on' a run for the appointed rendezvous. Most of
them loosened their clothing as they went, for it
was considered an honor to be first in the water, and
so quickly were they overboard, after reaching the
** swimming hole," that for some minutes Theo,
undressing more slowly, was left standing alone on
the bank.

** Come on, Billy Blow I " shouted one. " Don't
be afraid. We won't let you drown."

** Yes," cried another ; " come in. The water's
fine, and as warm as anything."

" Wet your head first, and then duck right under.
That's the way."

" Watch and see how I do it," said Rawl Patton,
as he scrambled, all dripping, out on the bank and
came to where Theo was standing with his clothing
in a little heap beside him. " I'm going to dive from
here and swim across to the other side. Shouldn't
wonder but you'd be able to do the same before the
summer's over, if you only try."

With this Rawl took a short run and sprang head-
foremost into the placid waters. Almost at the
same moment another white form flashed through
the air, and made a clean-cut entrance close to where
the other had disappeared. So engaged were the
remaining boys with their noisy aquatics, that only

UTILIZING A PIRATICAL EDUCATION IfiS

one or two noticed this, and they gave it no especial
thought until Rawl had regained the surface and
was swimming leisurely toward the opposite shore.
Then one asked : —

" Where's the other fellow that dove same time as
Rawl ? "

" Didn't see any one. Who was it ? "
*' Don't know, but he hasn't come up."
" Oh, go way I You're trying to scare us."
" No, honest. Somebody went in. Where's Billy
Blow?"

With the missing boy thus identified, several
began to look for him, peering into the dark depths
of the water as though hoping thus to discover its
secrets. They shouted to Rawl, who was now well
over toward the other side, but could not make him
comprehend, though he was swimming on his back
and facing them.

All at once a chorus of shrill cries reached him,
and he saw his comrades pointing with eager ges-
tures in the direction he was taking. Turning
quickly, he encountered another sight so astounding
that it nearly paralyzed him ; for, calmly sitting on
the beach he was approaching was the very boy he
had left on the farther bank a minute before.

" Billy Blow I " he gasped, as his feet touched bot-
tomland he stood staring. " How did you get here ?
" I come same way as you.
"But I didn't see you."

LV/W XXX\X JKJU. get IICIO I "

IW BRETHREN OF THE COAST

"No ; you come top water; I come bottom water.
You come slow ; I come quick," replied Theo,
smiling.

"You came under water all the way across the
creek ? "

Theo nodded bis bead.

" Well, that beats anjrtbing I ever beard of I I
didn't know anybody who lived could swim under
water like that. Why didn't you tell me you could
swim?"

" Never did you ask," answered Theo, vastly enjoy-
ing the other's bewilderment.

After a bit, the two returned across the creek ;
the boy who was so at home in the water as to have
gained the name of El Pescar from the pirates of
Cape Cruz, gambolling like a young porpoise, now
on the surface, and then far beneath it, while the
other swam doggedly straight ahead.

Rawl felt hurt, and as though he had been de-
frauded of something that belonged to him. He
had been the champion swunmer of the academy ;
but that honor had just been snatched from him by
this new-comer. He was also forced to acknowledge
with bitterness of heart, that as a swimmer he could
never hope to equal the lad before whom he had
thought to show o£E his superior skill. When they
landed, and the other boys crowded about Theo with
expressions of praise and astonishment, Rawl sullenly
dressed and started alone for home.

UTILIZING A PIRATICAL EDUCATION 106

This was the first incident that went to cementing
a friendship between the lads. The second occurred
after school on the following day.

Theo was kept behind the others for a few minutes
to finish a lesson ; but Lydia had promised to wait
for him. When he finally appeared he found her,
with flushed cheeks, angrily confronting a group of
jeering children. Rawl Patton was nearest her, but
turned away at sight of Theo.

"What is it, the matter?" inquired the latter,
anxiously.

"They call me * Speckle face,' and I hate it,"
cried the girl, with tears starting to her eyes. " If
I were only a boy I would whip them till they
cried."

"Nev6r mind, I am one boy," said Theo, sooth-
ingly ; and then, turning toward the teasing crowd,
he proclaimed a thrashing for any boy who should
dare repeat the disagreeable epithet.

" Speckle face I " shouted Rawl Patton, promptly.

Theo whirled upon him with white cheeks. " But
you do not mean it," he said. "You would not
make me fight with you."

"I do mean it," retorted Rawl, defiantly, still
smarting with a recollection of the previous day.
"And I will say it as often as I choose. Speckle
face I Speckle face I Speckle — "

Here Theo flew at him, and then ensued a battle
such as had not been witnessed on the academy

186 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

grounds in many a day. Rawl was undoubtedly the
stronger, but Theo was possessed of greater endur-
ance. Moreover, he had right on his side. For five
minutes they fought, without any great show of
skill but with the fury of two young game cocks,
while their schoolmates breathlessly watched them.
At the end of that time one of Theo's eyes was
closed, and a crimson stream was trickling from a
cut on his cheek ; while Rawl's face was so smeared
with blood from his nose as to be unrecognizable.
As they drew apart for a momentary breathing*
spell and stood glaring at each other, Lydia sprang
between them.

"That will do, and you shall not fight any
more ! " she cried vehemently. " Theo, you are a
brave, splendid boy, and for this I shall love you
always ; but he didn't mean it. He was trying to
make the others stop when you came out. You are
both my friends, and I love you both, and you must
be friends with each other. So shake hands and
make up, and let's go home."

For a moment the boys hesitated. Then Theo,
with outstretched hand, took a forward step, and
Rawl met him halfway.

This was the second incident by which Theo
Breeze proved his equality with the best lad in
Portsmouth, and won from him an enduring friend*
ship.

CHAPTER XXIV

THBO BECOMES MYSTERIOUSLY APPLinBNT

So quickly did time fly with our lad after he
became accustomed to his new environment, that a
full year had passed longf before he deemed such
. t4 PO^ibirFo. hL it W been . ye« o«
great events that crowded thick and fast upon each
other. After the drawn battle described in the last
chapter, the two contestants became firm friends,
devoted to Lydia, who smiled impartially upon them
both, and treated them as though they were her
brothers.

Harum-scarum girl that she was, and always
ready to join in their maddest pranks, she was at
the same time possessed of a shrewd common sense
that often saved them from disaster, as well as of
a demure coimtenance that generally served to avert
suspicion from herself. Although she sadly failed
to fulfil her aunt's expectations in the way of
general helpfulness about the house, Miss Tabitha,
while grumbling at her increased burdens, could
not but be proud of her clever niece. Especially
was she pleased at the influence Lydia exerted over
Theo.

197

198 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

" Just to think," she would say ; " he was that
wild and fierce that, but for her, he would haye
murdered us all in our beds long ago, to say nothing
of what he might have done outside. Yes'm, we
had to keep him locked up for fear of our lives.
Then she come and took him in hand, and now
there isn't a smarter or better-behaved boy in town,
if I do say it. Of course," Miss Tabby would add,
" the best of boys ain't nothing but trials when all's
said and done ; but thanks to Lyddy, this William
Blow is turning out as likely as any I ever see."

While Miss Tabitha thus found cause to both
censure and praise her niece, the latter had com-
pletely won the heart of the gentle old man who
had dreaded her advent, but into whose lonely life
she had come like a ray of sunlight streaming into
a darkened room, and setting all its motes to danc-
ing with happiness. He grew so fond of her that
he was happiest when she was with him, and watched
anxiously for her coining when she was absent ;
while she returned his affection with all the love of
a child for a parent. She even invaded his study,
and would sit there with her daily stint of patch-
work, while he wrote at his sermons, until, at length,
he became accustomed to consult her concerning
them.

Theo was also dependent upon Lydia for advice
and sympathy, though not to so great a degree as
at first, for he found an ever increasing number of

THEO BECOMES MYSTERIOUSLY AFFLUENT IW

outside interests into which she, as a girl, could not
be expected to enter. In some of these he actually
became a leader among his schoolfellows during that
first year. To begin with, by whipping "Belt"
Luke, and fighting a drawn battle with Rawl Pat-
ton, he had taught them a wholesome respect for
his x5ourage and physical strength. Then, too, none
of them could swim with him, nor did any know
such wonderful secrets of woodcraft. He could
also run faster, jump farther, and climb with greater
agility than any of them. These accomplishments
went far toward offsetting his ignorance of marbles,
tops, shinny, coasting, skating, and the etiquette of
snowball fights, aU of which he took up with avidity,
each in its turn.

At the same time, so eager was our lad to learn
the things that only books could teach, and so quick
of understanding, that, by the end of the year, he
had not only graduated from the infant class, but
had reached a grade next to the highest in the
school, the one occupied by Rawl and Lydia.

Master Biggs was as fond of him as though this
phenomenal progress was due to his method of teach-
ing, instead of having been made in spite of it. At
the same time the master stood somewhat in awe
of his imusual scholar, as was shown by the fact that
since that first memorable thrashing he had not at-
tempted to give Theo another.

From the foregoing record it might be supposed

BOO BBETHBEN OF THE COAST

that our young pirate had attained a position that
left nothing to be desired, and that he should have
been contentedly happy. But he was not, because
of two things. One was his utter severance from
his own family, and his inability to give any satis-
factory account of them or of his home. His mem-
ories of these were so vague that, when he attempted
to describe them, he invariably confused them with
recollections of his subsequent life among the pirates
of Cape Cruz. Thus he was in the position of one
without country, home, or family, entirely depend-
ent upon the charity of strangers.

As nothing had been heard from Alvord Spicer
since Theo's arrival in Portsmouth, there were
many persons who wondered that so poor a man
as the minister should continue to support a boy
who had no valid claim upon him. Some even
said this to Theo himself and caused him much
unhappiness thereby, for he now realized how illy
provided with this world's goods his kind old pro-
tector was, and what a burden a healthy, hungry
boy must be upon his slender resources.

The other reason for Theo's discontent with his
situation was connected with this very poverty,
since it compelled him always to appear shabbily
dressed, generally in the cast-off garments of some
among his more fortunate companions, or those of
their elders inartistically cut down to fit his slender
figure, and worn as long as Miss Tabitha's diUgent

THEO BECOMES MYSTERIOUSLY AFFLUENT 201

patching would hold them together. Neither, since
he came to Portsmouth and learned the use of
money, had our lad ever had a single penny of his
own to spend. All of his schoolmates either had
allowances, most of them, to be sure, very slender,
or were able to perform certain tasks for which
they received payment; but, as yet, Theo had not
discovered any means of earning the money he so
needed.

He longed to be able to make Lydia an occa-
sional present, to procure for himself some clothing
not originally made for some one else, to purchase
the thousand and one treasures in shape of books,
pocket-knives, pets, etc., that give boys such in-
finite pleasure at trifling cost, but all of which
were denied to this heir of the greatest sugar
estate in Cuba.

This poverty trouble was a serious one, and,
though Theo never complained of it, not even to
Lydia nor Rawl, it preyed upon him until he be-
came subject to fits of gloom and unsociability that
greatly puzzled his friends.

AU at once, after he had spent something more
than a year in Portsmouth, a wonderful change
came over our lad. His despondency entirely dis-
appeared and he became as light-hearted and happy
as the day was long. It was also noticed that his
personal appearance was gradually changing for the
better. One by one his patched garments were re-

202 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

placed by others, new, whole, and of good material.
A new cap and new shoes were added, and when Miss
Tabitha questioned him about these things, the boy
answered that they were given him by a person who
had requested him not to tell where they came
from — a reply that satisfied her for the time
being.

This, however, was not the end of it; for Theo
Breeze, with money to spend, could no more resist
the generous impulse that bade him share it with his
friends than a young cockerel can resist the impulse
to crow. So he bestowed ribbons and books upon
Lydia, a six-bladed penknife upon Rawl, and scat-
tered cakes and sweets among his schoolmates with
a lavish hand. All of these acts formed subjects for
animated discussion in many quarters, though for a
long time they failed to reach the ears of either Miss
Tabitha or the unsuspecting minister.

Of course Theo could not emerge all at once from
a position of direst poverty to that of the most
affluent boy in school without exciting the liveliest
curiosity regarding his source of income. Lydia and
Rawl both questioned him, as did most of his school-
mates, and many of their elders, but to one and all
he made the same reply, given with a fearlessness of
gaze from his honest blue eyes that went far toward
disarming suspicion. He would gladly tell them if
he could where his money came from, but had prom-
ised the dear friend who so generously provided it,

THEO BECOMES MYSTERIOUSLY AFFLUENT 203

not to do SO, therefore he begged they would not
question him further.

But the matter finally became too notorious to be
thus quieted, and people began to say that the young
pirate was only practising the trade to which he had
been educated, and stealing the money with which
he was now so well supplied.

The only cause for doubting this statement was
that no one could be found who had lost anything
in the way of money or other valuables. No houses
were broken into, no stores robbed; nothing had
been taken that any one could discover. It was all
a mystery that some gave over trying to solve, satis-
fied that it would be unravelled in due course of
time, but which others were more determined than
ever to penetrate.

Among these latter was "Belt" Luke, who had
hated Theo from the first, and was now so intensely
jealous of him that nothing would have pleased him
so much as to see our lad thrown into prison, dis-
graced forever. So he watched and listened and
crawled and spied at all hours, like the reptile he
was, until at length he believed he had * discovered
Theo's secret.

All this had been going on for a long time, and it
was not until the middle of Theo's third siunmer in
Portsmouth that matters reached a climax. Then
he one day invited Lydia and Rawl to take a sail
with him in his new boat. They accepted the invi-

204 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

tation, and during their absence, the news of Theo's
latest acquisition reached the ears of Mr. Spicer and
Miss Tabitha, who decided upon an immediate in-
vestigation. They met with no diflSculty in tracing
the boat to the man who previously owned it, and
who acknowledged that he had sold it to Billy Blow
for twenty-five dollars, cash down, that very day.

When the sailing party returned, they were met
by a little group of persons, among whom were the
minister and Miss Tabitha.

" Is this your boat, my son ? " asked the former,
gently.

" Yes, sir," answered Theo, promptly. " I bought
■ her this morning. Isn't she a beauty? "

"But where did you procure so large a sum of
money? "

" I can't tell you, sir, for the reason I have already
given."

" I know," whispered " Belt " Luke in Miss Tab-
itha's ear. " He stole the money, and I can prove
it, for I saw him take it."

CHAPTER XXV

HOW THE MONEY WAS OBTAINED

Op course Theo Breeze had not stolen the money
of which he had become so mysteriously possessed,
and of which all Portsmouth was talking, in spite of
" Belt " Luke's assertion to the contrary.

When he had been an inmate of Parson Spicer's
house about a year, and while he was feeling very
despondent over his poverty, with his attendant
shabbiness, a small shop for the sale of candies,
cakes, and other things of a kindred nature was
opened in the vicinity of Master Biggs's school.
Although this in itself was in no way remarkable,
the proprietor of the new establishment was suffi-
ciently so to attract considerable attention, since
she was a negress, who always wore a snow-white
turban, shell-rimmed spectacles, and large golden
hoops in her ears. That she was a native of some
foreign country was evident from her imperfect use
of English, and the strange confections, hitherto
unknown in Portsmouth, with which she tempted
customers.

As no one seemed to know her name or anything
about her, Rawl Patton, who was first among the

206

206 BRETHBEN OF THE COAST

boys to discover the new shop, dubbed her "Old
Dinah," which name was promptly and generally
accepted. That she was possessed of some means
was proved by her paying her rent in advance,
giving cash for whatever she purchased, and by
the comfortable manner in which she furnished
her modest establishment. Behind the shop were
two living-rooms, and back of them was a tiny
garden.

From the very first her business prospered, and
by her reasonable prices, combined with liberal
measure, "Old Dinah" quickly became a prime
favorite with the pupils of Master Biggs's school.
Only Theo kept away from the place that all the
others found so fascinating, for the simple reason
that he had no money to spend there, or elsewhere.
So, though his companions often urged him to ao-
company them to Dinah's, he for a while steadily
refused to do so. At the same time, his curiosity
was so aroused by reports concerning her establish-
ment that one evening, as he was on his way home
after taking supper with Rawl Patton, he paused
in passing it to gaze in at the tastefully arranged
window. It was quite brightly illuminated by two
reflecting lamps, and the light from these shone full
on the boy's face.

He longed to be able to purchase some of those
delicious-looking sweetmeats for Lydia ; but, recall-
ing his poverty, was turning away with a deep-

HOW THE MONEY WAS OBTAINED 807

drawn sigh when he was startled by a voice close
at hand. Speaking in Spanish, it asked : —

"Art not thou Theophilo GuiUermo Danbrisa,
and by birth a Cuban ? "

"I am," replied Theo, turning quickly and con-
fronting " Old Dinah," who stood in the open door-
way gazing fixedly at him. " But how do you know
anything about me ? "

"Come inside," replied the woman, "and I will
tell thee."

Theo hesitated for a moment, but his curiosity
was so aroused, and it was so pleasant to hear again
the tongue of his mother, that he finally did as re-
quested, and entered the shop.

The woman, trembling as though with an ague,
closed the door behind him, saying, "If any come
to buy, the beU will give warning." Then she
motioned him to pass to the inner room beyond
the shop. It was neatly furnished as a sitting and
dining room ; but ere Theo had time to look about
him, " Old Dinah," placing her hands on his shoul-
ders, and gazing earnestly into his face, startled
him by inquiring : —

" Theophilo, dost thou remember La Brisa ? "

" Certainly I do," answered the boy, wondering.

" And thy noble father, the Senor Danbrisa, who
met his death at the hands of Diablito ? "

" Never can I forget him. But how should you
know of his death ? "

908 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

" Dost thou remember thy beautiful mother, the
Senora Dorotea, and thy sister Nueva, Mariquita,
and the little Tertia ? "

"Well do I remember them," replied Thee, his
eyes filling with tears at the thought of his dear
ones, " but — "

"Then dost thou not also remember Lesbia, thy
nurse and second mother ? "

Theo hesitated, and the woman, fixing upon him a
gaze so intense that it seemed to penetrate his very
soul, added, " The Lesbia who for six years nightly
sang thee to sleep with this air."

Here she hummed the first bar of a plaintive
Spanish cradle song.

" Yes I yes 1 " cried the boy, eagerly ; " of course I
remember the dear Lesbia whom I loved and for
whom I cried long after I left her. But who are
you ? and how do you know of these things ? "

" I know them," replied the woman, impressively,
"because I am that same Lesbia." Here she
snatched off the shell-rimmed spectacles that dis-
guised her face, and instantly Theo knew that what
she said was true.

As the woman saw the look of recognition flash
into his face, she uttered a joyous cry, and folded
him to her bosom as though he were still the child
for whom she had cared long years before.

When both became a little calmer, Theo could no
longer be restrained from asking questions and in-

HOW THE MONEY WAS OBTAINED 200

sisting upon being answered. Thus he learned that
Lesbia, heart-broken at losing him, and being a free
woman, had left La Brisa about the same time that
he did, determined to find him if she had to follow
him around the world.

"And now that I have found thee, muchacho
caro," she added, "I will never more leave thee
until we can return together to La Brisa. I know
it to have been thy father's dearest wish for thee to
be taught the ways of his own people in this bleak
country. Therefore is it good for thee to be here
for a time. But finally we must return, that La
Brisa may not always be without a master."

" Of course," said Theo. " But what I can't un-
derstand is, how you traced me to Portsmouth, and
why you didn't let me know who you were when you
first came."

" I traced thee, dear one, through Latrobe."

" Latrobe ? "

" Yes. He is my brother. Didst thou not know ?
I found him in England, where he served aboard a
warship. So, since he could not come himself, he
confided to me the address that the Senor Alvord
Spicer had given thee, and I came here, hoping thou
also might have found thy way to this place. Oh,
my dear one 1 when first I saw thee I could have
screamed for joy, and would have embraced thee
then as I do now, but that it was in the holy church
where the good Padre, who also cares for thee, was

tlO BBBTHBSN OF THE COAST

talking. Also I feared lest thou should recognize
me, and, being unwarned, call me by name. In that
case I should run the danger of being held as an
escaped slave, seeing that I have not with me my
paper of freedom. It is for that I am disguised^
and also I will beg thee never to teU who I am, nor
of the relations between us."

" Never fear," replied Theo, who, knowing nothing
of the laws governing such cases, readily believed
his nurse to be in danger. ^ I promise not to telL
But, Lesbia, where did you get the money with
which to travel and to start in this business?"

" It is thy money, dear one, thy very own ; for it
was given to Latrobe by thy father to keep for thee.
My brother, unable to come himself, gave it to me
for thy use when I should find thee. Some of it
have I expended in establishing this shop that I
might have an excuse for remaining here, and near
thee. But many persons buy of my wares and soon
shall I be able to repay it. So, dear one, if thou
hast need of money, help thyself from thy own. The
till has a secret spring that I will show thee, and if
it contains not enough, come to me for more."

" Lesbia, do you mean it ? " cried Theo, who could
not beUeve that his humiliating poverty was ended.
*' Do you really mean that I am to have money of
my own to spend as I please?"

"I really mean it. Sugar Sweet," replied the
woman, gazing fondly at the boy, and applying to

HOW THE MONEY WAS OBTAINED 211

him the term of endearment she had used when he
was an infant. ^^ If thou would test its reality, go
now and help thyself, for it is all truly thine. Only
it will be well not to spend too freely, for fear
of arousing unkind suspicion. Nor would I have
it known that I am holding money in trust for thee,
lest it be taken from me. Therefore, it will be
better not to discover whence it comes, other than
to say it is given thee by a friend."

"I promise not to tell. But don't you think,
Lesbia, that I might have some new clothes ? These
are so shabby, and Mr. Spicer is too poor to buy
me any."

"And why not? It is as a prince thou should
be clad by right, and new clothing thou shalt have
as quickly as it may be procured."

With this assurance, the first interview between
Theo and his devoted nurse came to an end. Of
course, many others followed, the lad going to
Lesbia whenever he wanted money, and often when
he did not, merely for the pleasure of talking
with her about his own people. If she did not
happen to be in the shop, he would call out to
inform her of his presence, and if he desired money,
would help himself from the tiU. He never took
much, because his needs were few and simple ; but
if he had wanted all that Lesbia possessed, he could
have had it. Thus it happened that " Belt " Liike,
after a long-continued following of Theo's move-

S12 BBBTHBEN OF THE COAST

ments, and much miaerable spying, did, as he in-
formed Miss Tabitha, see the lad go into ^^Old
Dinah's " and take money from her till.

When this was reported to Mr. Spicer, he turned
squarely upon Theo, and asked if it were true.

"Yes, sir," replied the boy, "I did take money
from Old Dinah's till, but it was with her full
permission."

" That is most remarkable," said the minister ;
" why should she permit you to do such an unheard-
of thing ?

" Will you come with me, sir, and ask her ? "

" Certainly I will, since that is the very thing I
was about to propose."

For more than an hour were the minister and
Lesbia engaged in a conversation, which even Theo
was not permitted to overhear. And when it was
ended, tears stood in the eyes of the sympathetic old
gentleman. To Theo he said : —

"Everything has been explained to my satisfac-
tion, my dear boy, and you are at liberty to enjoy
the provision made for you by your father. Only,
that you may not contract habits of extravagance, I
wish you would apply to me for whatever sums of
money you may happen to want, and I will give
you orders upon this good woman for them."

To this plan both Theo and Lesbia agreed, and
thus were money matters adjusted between them.
Outsiders were informed that Lesbia, being of

HOW THE MONEY WAS OBTAINED 213

Spanish extraction, had taken such a liking to Theo,
on account of his birth and ability to speak her
native tongue, that she desired to assist him in
obtaining the education for which he had been sent
to Portsmouth.

These arrangements and explanations proved
satisfactory to all concerned, except that Theo was
still greatly puzzled to know how the old nurse had
discovered first Latrobe, and then him, after all
these years ; and not until several more years were
passed did he come to a solution of this mystery.

CHAPTER XXVI

BEAPPEABAKGE OP AN OLD FRIEND

No longer cramped and humiliated by poverty,
no longer suspected of dishonorable acts, with the
mystery of his home and family fairly cleared away,
Theo Breeze, still generally known as " Billy Blow,"
became one of the happiest and most popular lads
in all Portsmouth. Although still acknowledging
Rawl Patton's leadership in many things, Theo, with
Lydia's unfailing aid, pushed him so closely in their
studies that they graduated at the same time from
Master Biggs's " academy," and entered together the
higher school in which pupils were fitted for college.
Both boys looked forward to this as their ultimate
goal. Though Mr. Spicer well knew that he alone
could not support Theo through a college course,
he confidently counted upon Lesbia's aid, which she
cheerfully promised.

Miss Tabitha disapproved of college for any boys,
except those of strong religious convictions who were
destined for the ministry. She declared that, for
all others, they were merely places for the waste of
money, the cultivation of extravagance, and the en-
couragement of worldliness. Even Lydia was too

214

BEAFPBARANCE OF AN OLD FRIEND 216

jealous of the proposed plan to be enthusiastic over
it ; since, in those days, no college admitted girl stu-
dents, and when her boy comrades should go to one,
she, who now so easily kept pace with them, would
be forced to drop behind.

But college was such a remote contingency that
its shadow could not materially dim the joys of the
present. So, with our three friends, the time passed
swiftly and happily until Rawl was almost nineteen,
Theo past eighteen, as nearly as Lesbia could reckon,
and Lydia sixteen years of age.

Outside of his friendships, Theo found his chief est
pleasure in his boat, in which, generally with Rawl
for a companion, he had explored every nook and
comer of Portsmouth harbor, and had even gone as
far to sea as the Isles of Shoals. The trip that he
most frequently made was across the river to Kittery
Navy Yard, where he found pleasure in studying the
construction of warships and acquiring all possible
information regarding them. All his instincts were
those of a sailor, and these, combined with his early
training and present environment, made him long
above all things to go to sea. Only to Rawl and
Lydia, however, did he confide this desire, because
both of them fuUy sympathized with him. Rawl
would also like to go to sea, though of course it must
be as a naval officer ; while Lydia imagined that she
should like, above all things, to sail away to one of
the far islands of the Pacific, where she would devote

216 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

herself to missionary work among the simple-minded
natives.

Mr. Spicer would not in any way encourage Theo's
ambition to be a sailor. He could not even bear to
talk of the sea which had robbed him of his own
dearly loved son, from whom no word had been
received since Theo came to Portsmouth. Even
Lesbia could only tell that he had been separated
from Latrobe immediately upon their arrival in
England, where she believed he had been tried,
condemned, and executed as a pirate.

So the old man, while sadly cherishing the mem-
ory of his son, had accepted Theo Breeze in his place,
and was not willing for him to enter upon a career
holding such terrible possibilities. Also Theo must
be educated as one soon to assume the responsibilities
of a great landed proprietor and the management
of a vast estate.

Of course Mr. Spicer, upon hearing Lesbia's story,
had written to the Senora Danbrisa in Cuba, but
concluded that the address of his letter must have
been defective, since no answer to it was ever
received. A year later, he wrote to the American
consul in Havana. To this letter, after another
weary delay, nearly as long as the first, he received
a brief reply, to the effect that but little information
could be gained concerning the family of La Brisa,
as their estate lay on the south side of the island,
and remote from the capital. It was reported,

REAPPEARANCE OF AN OLD FRIEND 217

however, that the Senora Danbrisa had left Cuba,
and taken her daughters abroad to be educated.

Upon this Mr. Spicer again wrote to the consul,
begging him to obtain, if possible, the Senora's
foreign address, and at any rate to inform him of
her return, whenever that should take place. This
communication was not answered, owing to the fact
that, with a change of administration, there was a
change of consuls, and in the resulting confusion the
unimportant letter was mislaid.

Failing thus to communicate with Theo's family,
the minister determined to carry out with Lesbia's
aid the plan already formed for his education, put
him through college, and then send him to Cuba
to prove as best he might his claim to La Brisa.
This plan held good until it was nearly time for
the boys to go up to Cambridge for their entrance
examinations, when certain events happened of such
a nature as to entirely overthrow it.

The first was an offer to Rawl Patton of an
appointment as midshipman in the navy, to take
effect at once. This the boy was so wild to accept
that he could neither talk nor think of anything else',
and finally won a reluctant consent from his parents.
After two weeks of excitement and preparation
Rawl made a brief sensational appearance in uniform.
Then he departed, leaving behind him two disconso-
late young people, one of whom felt that his recent
comrade had won the only prize in life worth having.

318 BRETHBEN OF THE COAST

About this time Parson Spicer discoyered that the
sum of money still at Lesbia's disposal was entirely
inadequate to carry Theo through even a single
year of college life. The boy himself had drawn
freely upon her resources, and she, knowing nothing
of the expenses attending a college career, had
only reseryed one hundred dollars for that purpose.
Now, with this exception, the sum that she had
held in trust was exhausted, while her business was
only sufficient to yield her a living.

At this discovery the good old minister was greatly
distressed. Miss Tabitha sniffed, but said nothing,
and Lydia secretly rejoiced. Even Theo himself
did not feel nearly so badly as he would, had not
Rawl also given up a college career.

With the overthrow of one plan another must be
formed, and many were the discussions held concern-
ing Theo's immediate future. None of them, how-
ever, resulted in anything definite, and finally the
eve of graduation day at the High School was reached
with nothing decided upon.

Just before sunset of that day Theo and Lydia
were seated on the broad stone doorstep of the
parsonage, talking of the morrow and watching for
the return of Mr. Spicer, who had gone into town.
At length they saw him in the distance, and Lydia
ran to meet him.

Theo, thus left alone, sat thinking of his strange
coming to that elm-shaded cottage, of the busy and

BEAPFEABANCE OF AN OLD FRIEND 219

happy life he had led there, and wondering if he
should ever love any other place so well. This
reverie was interrupted by the clatter and rattle of
the incoming stage, which, still driven by his friend
Zack Truitt, was just entering the town. Theo was
about to shout out a greeting to the driver, when, to
his surprise, the stage stopped directly in front of
him. As it did so, a broad-shouldered man, bronzed,
bearded, and clad in a suit of blue cloth, sprang
down from the box seat, while Zack Truitt called
out: —

"That's him now."

As Theo, full of curiosity, rose to his feet, the
stranger stepped quickly up to him, placed his hands
on the lad's shoulders, and, gazing full into his face,
exclaimed : —

"Can it be possible that this tall fellow is the
young pirate of Cape Cruz who was called El
Pescar ? "

"Yes," cried Theo, with an instinctive flash of
recognition, "and you are Alvord Spicer."

" Al's come I " shouted Zack Truitt, as his stage
clattered down the street ; and in another moment
the aged minister waa clasped, in the arms of his
stalwart, long-lost son, who was come to him again
as from the dead.

For the immediate present that was enough, and,
satisfied with being reunited after aU the years of
separation and silence, neither father nor son cared

220 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

to know more. It was not until after supper that
they began to ask questions, and then it was learned
that the letter announcing Alvord's expected arrival
had come on the same stage with him, while several
others, posted in far-distant ports, had never been
received.

" Thus you perceive, my son, that we know almost
nothing of what has happened to you since the day
you left us eight years ago," remarked the minister,
" and want to know everything from the beginning."

So the returned wanderer took up his narrative at
the point of leaving home for a short voyage to
Cuba. His hearers were thrilled as he described
his capture by pirates, and subsequent slavery among
them. They shuddered at his despairing leap into
the Cave of Bones, and the old man pressed Theo's
hand gratefully when the narrator came to the part
played by El Pescar in saving him from that dread-
ful place.

At the point in his narrative descriptive of the
treachery of Captain Thomas Pole, Lydia could not
forbear expressing her feelings.

" The contemptible thing I " she exclaimed. " I
only hope he got properly punished for his horrid-
ness."

" He was punished," replied Alvord Spicer, grimly,
"though not until two years later. In the mean-
time, the Chloris received orders at Bermuda to pro-
ceed directly to England ; so we were taken there

BEAPFEABANCE OF AN OLD FRIEND 221

for trial. Upon arrival at Portsmouth, all of us,
except Latrobe, were placed in one of the prison
hulks anchored off shore ; while he, poor fellow, was
transferred to another ship, and I have not seen nor
heard from him since. I only know that it was a
new ship, just gone into commission and in need of
a cook."

" Was it ordered to Halifax ? " asked the Parson.

" I believe so," answered Alvord Spicer ; " but
why do you ask, father ? "

" For no reason at all," replied the minister, evi-
dently somewhat confused. " I only wondered. But
go on with your narrative, my son, and excuse me
for interrupting."

" It may be soon told," said the other. " We were
tried for piracy, and convicted on the perjured testi-
mony of Thomas Pole and Eph Morris ; but when
the latter found we were about to be hanged, he
relented and confessed that his testimony was false.
Thomas Pole was punished by having his master's
license taken from him, so that he might never again
command a British ship, while Morris was forced to
enter the navy.

"We Americans, having been declared innocent,
were simple minded enough to imagine that we
might go free ; but not at all. The British navy
needed men, and so our sentence was commuted
from hanging to five years of service on board Eng-
lish men-of-war. Moreover, we were separated and

KS BBETOBEN OV THE COAST

(Itnfted to different ships, so that I have seon none
of iny companions since."

Han tlie narrator was intermpted by Tiaiton vho
Iiad learned of hia return and came to welcome bim
Iiomo. Old friends poured into the little honse
until it was crowded ; and thej remained so late
that the conclusion of Alvord Spicer's story was pat
o£F until the morrow.

Only Theo whispered to him, as they bode each
other good night, " Are you still in the navy ? "

"YcH," was the reply, "but not in any f<H«ign
service, thank God."

CHAPTER XXVII

FBOM THE SECRETARY OP THE NAVY

On the following day our lad, whose early educa-
tion had been that of a pirate, and who had reached
Portsmouth six years before as ignorant of civiliza-
tion as a young savage, was graduated from the
fitting school, ready to enter college. Lydia was
graduated at the same time, and both the good old
minister and Miss Tabitha Sherlock were made
proudly happy by the congratulations showered
upon them on account of the children they had
brought up. Nor was Alvord Spicer, for whom
the occasion took on the form of an ovation from
his fellow-townsfolk, less proud than his father of
the boy now proving himself so worthy of aU they
had done for him.

But proudest of all was Lesbia, who, in her finest
and whitest turban, occupied a back seat among the
audience, and never took her eyes from her boy,
save when forced to wipe away the tears of joy that
dimmed her spectacles. Theo spied her from the
platform, and, to crown her happiness, while the
applause that greeted his oration was stiU at its
height, he walked the whole length of the crowded

223

S24 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

hall to kiss her, and thus publicly acknowledge his
indebtedness to this his second mother.

As the festivities of the occasion lasted through
the afternoon, it was not until after supper that
the minister's household was once more assembled
in his study, anxious to hear the conclusion of
Alvord Spicer's narrative.

^^Let me see, where did I leave off?" asked the
sailor.

^^ You had just been assigned to duty on board an
English warship," replied his father.

^^ Yes, so I had, though condemned to punishment
would be a truer way of putting it; for, although
rated as quartermaster, I was made to lead the life
of a dog, and was continually taunted with my nar-
row escape from being hanged as a pirate. Our
ship was ordered to the African coast, where I
served for more than a year. Then my position
became so intolerable that I determined to escape
at the first opportunity, preferring to risk the pen-
alty of desertion rather than bear longer the perse-
cution to which I was subjected. As desertions on
that coast are almost unknown on account of the
manifold dangers of the interior, I was not closely
watched, and one dark night, as our ship lay off
the mouth of a river, I managed to sUp overboard
undetected. Swimming ashore, I pushed inland
through the swamps with such speed as might be.
At daylight I came on a camp of slave-hunters just

FROM THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY 226

starting for the interior. They were glad of a white
recruit, and I joined them without hesitation. About
a hundred miles from the coast I was taken down
with the African fever, and left at a native village
to die. Nursed into convalescence by the negroes,
I remained in that village, hospitably entertained
by its chief, until it in turn was raided by the man-
hunters, and all of its inhabitants who were not killed
were borne off into slavery.

" Although fighting with my friends until further
resistance was useless, I was fortunately unwounded,
and made good my escape at the moment of sur-
render. Even then I could not desert the poor
wretches who had so befriended me, and followed
them to a point on the coast well south of where
I had landed. There I discovered an extensive but
perfectly hidden factory at the head of a salt-water
lagoon, in which lay a schooner awaiting her human
cargo. Stealing a canoe, I made my way out through
the narrow channel connecting the lagoon with a
river and finally gained the sea. Although nearly
dead from starvation and exhaustion, I was so
rejoiced to be once more on salt water that I
allowed my little craft to drift out with the tide
until the shore was no longer visible. Then I
went to sleep.

"When I awoke, a boat containing men was along-
side, and they carried me on board that most glorious
of human creations, an American warship. While

296 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

there on other business, she had been instmcted to
keep a lookout for slavers, but had no knowledg^e of
the place I had just come from nor of the existence
of a factory on that part of the coast. In fact, it was
by the merest accident that she happened where she
was, in time to sight and pick me up as I went drift-
ing past in my canoe.

*^ When my report was made to her commander, he
asked if I would be willing to guide a boat expedi-
tion into the lagoon for the capture of the slaver.
I replied that I would rather do that than anything
else in the world, since it would g^ve me a chance of
repaying the kindness of those negroes who had '
cared for me in my time of greatest need.

^*' To make a long story short, I accompanied the
boat party back to the lagoon, where we found the
slaver already warned of our coming, and so prepared
to give us a warm reception that they opened fire on
us the moment we hove in sight. In spite of it we
dashed forward, boarded, and engaged the schooner's
crew on their own deck. In our final charge I fired
my pistol at one who was aiming a rifle at me, and
he fell ; when all was over I went to look at him,
and to my amazement found him to be my old enemy,
Thomas Pole, who, debarred by his own act from
honest seamanship, had turned slaver. What was
still more astonishing was to discover in his schooner
which we had just captured, our old friend — yours
and mine, Theo — La BrvQa. It seems that riie had

FROM THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY 227

been condemned as a prize, and sold in Halifax,
where by some means Captain Pole obtained posses-
sion of her."

"And did you set the poor slaves free?" asked
Lydia, breathlessly.

" Indeed we did, my dear, and a more grateful lot
of human beings was never seen. Some of them
even tried to kiss my feet, much to the amusement
of the other Americans and my own embarrassment.
As our losses in the fight included an officer killed
and another wounded, and as the latter, with still
another, was detached to carry the prize to the
United States, the company of the quarterdeck was
so reduced that I was offered a commission, subject
to confirmation, as acting lieutenant, if I would
enter the American service — an offer I promptly
accepted. The ship to which I thus became attached
had been but a few days on the coast, where she was
engaged in surveying the mouths of the principal
rivers. Twice before finishing that work we fell in
with the British cruiser from which I had escaped,
and the officers of the ships exchanged courtesies ;
but on these occasions I managed to keep out of the
way and was not recognized."

" Could they have taken you if you had been ? "
asked Theo.

"No," answered Alvord Spicer, promptly, "they
could not ; but they might have attempted to do so,
in which case we should have exchanged something

228 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

besides courtesies. But to wind up my long yarn,
when we finally completed our survey of the west
African coast, we sailed for the Indian Ocean and
the Pacific to gain information concerning certain
uncharted waters, as well as to show the American
flag in a number of East Indian ports where it had
rarely, if ever, been seen. This cruise occupied
something over three years, and it was ended only
two weeks ago at the Norfolk Navy Yard, where our
ship went out of commission. I was ordered to
report at Washington, where I had an extremely
pleasant interview with the Secretary of the Navy.
He was kind enough to say some complimentary
things and to express the hope that I would continue
in the service.

" Upon my saying that I would gladly do so, he
handed me a commission signed by the President, as
lieutenant, and said that if I could be ready to go
to sea again within a month he would be pleased to
give me command of a schooner now fitting out at
Boston for foreign service. Of course I accepted
the position, and so am now Captain Spicer of the
good ship La Bruja^

" La Bruja ! " exclaimed Theo. " You don't mean
our La Bruja f^^

"I do, though," laughed Alvord Spicer; " only her
name has been Anglicized, so that she is now known
as the SeawitchJ*^

" Where is she bound ? "

FROM THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY 229

" I have not been told. I only know that I am
ordered to sail as soon as ready, but under sealed
orders, not to be opened until we get to sea."

" Oh, if I were only going with you I "

"But I thought you were to enter college."

" No," said Theo, without a trace of regret in his
tone, "there isn't money enough."

" No," echoed the minister, sadly, " I regret to say
that we cannot afford to send him to college, after all."

" No," remarked Miss Tabitha ; " a blessed poverty
closes that pathway of evil."

" No," cried Lydia, " he isn't going to college, and
I for one am glad. As long as they won't take me,
I don't want them to have him."

After the others had gone to bed that night,
Alvord Spicer and his father held an earnest consul-
tation that resulted in the former writing a letter to
go out by the morning's stage.

In spite of the indecision attending our lad's
immediate future, the ensuing ten days were among
the happiest he had ever known, for they were almost
wholly spent in company with his old-time friend,
who, on account of his many adventures and present
position, had become the typical hero of a boyish
imagination. They made frequent use of Theb's
boat to carry them across to the Navy Yard, which,
with Alvord Spicer to explain things, became a place
of greater enchantment than ever. In these ten days
the commander of the Seawitch managed to impart

880 BRETHREN OF THE CX)A8T

an immense amount of practical knowledge of things
nautical to his young friend, and seemed never to
weary of answering the latter's eager questions.

^^ I declare ! " he laughed, on one occasion, after
he had tested Tlieo's knowledge by a series of adroit
questions ; " I verily believe you could pass a mid-
shipman's examination to-day, as weU as half the
men who gain commissions."

" Do you really ? " asked the lad, flushing with
pleasure. ^^ How I wish I might have the chance to
try I "

The very next day the navy man, without a word
of comment, handed Theo an open letter that read
as follows : —

" Lieutenant Alvoed Spiceb, U.S.N.^ Command-
ing U.S.S. Seawitch, Portsmouth, N.H.

" Dear Sir : — In reply to your request of the 2d
inst. would say that I am willing the young man in
whose behalf it is made should accompany you on
your forthcoming cruise as a volunteer, with the
rating of acting midshipman; provided, as you sug-
gest, that he does so without pay, and bears the
expense of his own mess bills.

"Trusting that you will speedily get to sea, I
have the honor to remain,

" Yours very truly,

"Smith Thompson,

^^ Secretary. ^^

: .1

A '. , N •» T AND

IIL:«> r ..-JNuA'liONti

FROM THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY 231

" Who does he mean ? " asked Theo, his face pale
with the intensity of his hope.

"He means a certain Tay-o-feel-Guillermo Dan-
brisa," answered Alvord Spicer, smiling. "So, if
you choose to accept the conditions named, and can
be ready, we will start for Boston the day after
to-morrow."

CHAPTER XXVIII

EXIT LESBIA — ENTEB LATBOBE

Theo Bbeeze had taken his departure, sailing
away in company with Captain Spicer on the Boston
packet, and all Portsmouth missed him. In the elm-
shaded parsonage there reigned a quiet unknown
for years, and not now appreciated by any of its
remaining inmates. The old minister seemed per-
plexed by it, and evidently felt that something
pleasant had gone out of his life. His son had sup-
plied him with money sufficient to remove all
present fear of want ; but he confessed that poverty,
with a boy in the house, was preferable to all the
luxuries of wealth without him.

Poor Lydia was disconsolate, and wandered about
in a most melancholy frame of mind, bemoaning the
hard fate that had made her a girl. Even Miss
Tabitha, who had always declared boys to be among
the great trials of life, was discovered up in the
attic room that had been Theo's, sitting idly, with
an old-fashioned, much battered, beaver hat in her
hand, and something that glistened surprisingly like
tears in her eyes.

To Lesbia the announcement of her boy's forth-
coming departure came like a shock ; but when he

282

EXIT LESBIA— ENTER LATBOBE 233

promised to return very soon and take her with him
to La Brisa, she recovered her cheerfulness, forced
upon him the money she had reserved for his college
expenses, and as the packet sailed away she bravely
bade him good-by. Then she returned to her shop,
disposed of its contents and good will at about one-
tenth of their value ; and the next morning she,
too, had disappeared, though no one could tell how
she had gone, or in what direction.

That same evening a neatly appointed travelling-
carriage drew up in front of the parsonage, and a
fine-looking, elderly gentleman, alighting from it,
inquired for the Reverend Mr. Spicer. On being
shown into the latter's study, he introduced him-
self as Judge Theophilus Breeze, of Boston. He
also announced that he had come to Portsmouth
in search of a person claiming to be his nephew,
and a son of his only brother, the late Daniel
Breeze of Cuba, whom he understood was an in-
mate of Mr. Spicer's house.

"How did you learn this?" asked the minister.

"Through a letter recently received from my
sister-in-law, who is now in Spain with her
daughters. She, it seems, was just in receipt of a
communication from you, that had lain for some
years in the American Consulate at Havana, and
requests that her son may join her at the earliest
possible moment. So, having business in these
parts, I have come to see him, and propose to send

tM BRETHREN OF THE COAST

him across by the first ship sailing from Boston, if
he indeed proves to be the missing lad whom we
long ago gave up as dead."

"Supposing he should have difl&culty in proving
his identity?" suggested the minister.

"Of course that must be established beyond a
doubt," replied the other, "since the interests at
stake are so large that we cannot afford to take
any chances. I understand there is a negro woman
here, who claims to have been his nurse ; and per-
haps it would be best for me to interview her be-
fore seeing the boy himself. One cannot proceed
too cautiously in such matters, you know."

"Of course not," agreed the minister, who was
not wholly pleased by the attitude assumed by his
visitor. " At the same time, a little less of caution
and a little more speed might have served your
purpose better in the present case, seeing that both
the boy and his nurse have left Portsmouth."

" Left Portsmouth ! " exclaimed the other.
"When, and why did they leave? Where have
they gone?"

" The lad left two days ago for Boston, to enter
the naval service of the United States, and is
assigned to the schooner Seawitch now in that port.
Where the nurse has gone, I do not know."

"A most remarkable state of affairs," mused the
visitor. "You are certain that the boy claiming
to be my nephew is not in this town?"

EXIT LESBIA — ENTER LATBOBE 286

" I am not accustomed to have my word doubted,
sir," replied the minister, with dignity, "nor do I
know of any boy who claims relationship with you,
since I never heard of you until five minutes ago."

"Pardon me, sir, if I appeared to doubt your
word," said the other. " I had no intention of so
doing, and merely wished to be assured that the
boy I am so anxious to discover had taken his de-
parture. Can you tell me how long he will prob-
ably remain in Boston."

"I cannot," replied the minister, "though I fancy
not more than a day or two."

" Thank you. Then I must return at once so as
to see him before he leaves. Good evening."

"Good evening, sir," answered Mr. Spicer, for-
mally, and the interview was ended.

Judge Breeze made all possible speed back to
Boston, only to have the mortification of seeing the
Seawitck, already beyond recall, sail out of the harbor.
He had little difficulty in finding out from the com-
mandant of the Navy Yard where she was bound ;
but the information thus obtained seemed greatly to
disturb him, and he immediately sent off a letter to
his sister-in-law, begging her to return to Cuba at
once.

"I have every reason for believing," he wrote,
" that an impostor claiming to be your long-lost son,
is about to establish himself at La Brisa and strive
to make good his claim to the estate. At any rate,

286 BBBTHBEN OF THB COAST

it is best that you should be there. I will meet
you in Havana, from which place we will travel
together. Shall look for you on the very first con-
voy sailing from Cadiz, after giving this letter time
to arrive."

Having mailed this epistle, Judge Breeze began
arranging his own affairs for a prolonged absence ;
and two months later found him embarked for Cuba.

In the meantime, our friends from Portsmouth
made a slow and uneventful passage to Boston by
sailing packet, and reached their destination late on
the second day after starting. Going directly to
the Navy Yard, they boarded the Seatoiteh as night
was falling, and were warmly welcomed by Mr. Den-
nison, the junior lieutenant who had been left in
temporary command.

^^ I am indeed glad to see you, sir ! " he exclaimed,
" for we have just completed our preparations. The
last stores came on board this evening, and every-
thing is ready for sailing at a moment's notice."

"Good," replied Captain Spicer. "In that case
we can probably get away to-morrow. Now, how
about supper? I hope you can give us one, for we
are nearly famished."

" Supper is ready, sir, though I cannot guarantee
its quality, as it is the first meal prepared by our
new cook."

A little later, in the small but cheery cabin
that recalled so many memories to Theo Breeze,

EXIT LESBIA— ENTER LATBOBE 287

Captain Spicer remarked, " This is one of the very
best meals I ever ate on shipboard, Mr. Dennison,
and I congratulate you on your new cook. Where
did you find him?"

" He is a negro, sir. who claims to have seen ser-
vice in the British navy, and who came aboard to-
day wishing to ship. As the cook we had was one
of the greatest duffers I ever knew, and couldn't
boil water without burning it, I told the fellow
he might turn to and show what he was good for
by getting up a supper, after which I would see
about signing him."

" And now you can't be too quick about signing
him, and so securing his services," laughed the cap-
tain. " We must certainly have the man who pre-
pared this meal, even if we are obliged to carry him
to sea in irons."

"Very good, sir. I will attend to it immedi-
ately."

The next morning Captain Spicer devoted to the
inspection of his ship and crew, having announced
that he would sail at noon. Theo, not yet assigned
to duty, obtained permission to take a run into the
city, which he was very desirous of visiting, since
Portsmouth was, thus far, the largest town he had
ever seen. He also had an outfit to purchase. So
Midshipman Greene, a pleasant young fellow who
had just been ordered from the receiving ship to
the Seamtch for temporary duty, was detailed to

BRETHREN OF THE COAST

act as his guide, and the two lads set forth at sun-
rise.

They crossed the harbor by a clumsy old steam
ferry-boat, which Theo, never haying seen a steam-
boat of any kind, regarded as a most wonderful
craft. Landing near Claghome's shipyard, from
which had been launched the world-renowned frigate
Constitution^ they threaded many deyious ways to
Washington Street, upon which trade was eyen then
encroaching.

Here Theo was introduced to a tailor who always
kept on hand a number of nayal uniforms, for just
such emergencies as the present. Selecting one that
would need but slight alterations to fit him, our
young officer, blushingly conscious of the dignity of
this step, ordered it to be ready within two hours,
when he would return to try it on.

After making several other purchases, all of which
were to be sent to the tailor shop, the lads started to
take in such of the sights as their time limit would
permit. As they were returning from the State
House through School Street, Midshipman Greene
paused before a handsome residence, saying, " Here
is where the jolliest girls I ever met in my life stay
when they are in Boston. Hold on, a minute, till I
see whether they are here now. If they are, we'll
make a call, and I'll introduce you."

So the young men mounted the iron-railed steps,
and Midshipman Greene thundered a summons on

EXIT LESBIA— ENTER LATBOBE 880

the heavy brass knocker. The seryant who appeared
in answer, informed them that not only were no
young ladies stajdng there at present, but that the
Judge himself was out of town.

^^ Too bad," said Midshipman Greene, as he turned
away, ** but better luck next time. Come on, old
man, what are you staring at ? "

Theo's gaze was fixed on a painted portrait that
hung in the hall, and was plainly visible through the
open doorway. The face was so familiar as to be
startling, and yet he could not recall where he had
seen it or whose it was.

" Who lives in that house ? " he asked as they
walked away.

"Why, didn't I tell you? It belongs to Judge
Theophilus Breeze, one of the biggest swells in
Boston."

" Then," said Theo, " he must be my uncle ; for
the portrait I was looking at is that of my grand-
father. We have one just like it at home."

"Have you any sisters?" asked Midshipman
Greene, abruptly.

"Yes, three," replied Theo, whose memory had
been greatly stimulated by his recent intercourse
with Lesbia. " Their names are Nueva, Mariquita,
and Tertia."

"The very girls I met, and was proposing to
introduce you to I " cried the other. " By Jove I
Billy Blow, you are a lucky dog."

MO BRETHREN OF THE COAST

By this it will be seen that Captain Spicer had,
inadvertently, introduced his young friend by the
name most commonly appUed to him in Portsmouth.

At the tailor's Theo donned his new uniform, and
then, feeling conscious that everybody must be look-
ing at him, made his way back to the Seawitchy
foUowed by a porter bearing his many parcels.

As, still guided by Midshipman Greene, he stepped
toward the steerage hatch in search of his assigned
quarters, he almost ran into a white-aproned indi-
vidual, who dodged out of his way with a respect-
ful salute.

A glance at the man caused Theo to pause and
stare in blankest amazement, then he gasped out the
single word, " Latrobe I "

CHAPTER XXIX

UNDER SEALED OBDEBS

Midshipman Gbeene was decidedly shocked to
see his brother officer so far forgetful of his dignity
as to shake hands with the ship's cook and greet him
like a dear friend, but Theo neither knew nor cared
what any one thought just then. In his excite-
ment and joy over this wonderful meeting he held
the negro's hand and plied him with questions.

"Where did you come from, Latrobe? Where
have you been all these years ? How do you hap-
pen to be here? Have you seen Lesbia? Did you
know me as quickly as I knew you? "

"Yes, sah, I knowed you. Same time, I don't
reckin I would, 'ceptin Cap'n Spicer told me you
was a-comin'. I declare, sah, it take mah bref away
to see mah baby boy growed to be a fine young ossi-
fer in a handsome uniform. It sho'ly a good sight
for mah ole eyes."

As the faithful fellow spoke, his eyes filled with
tears, and Theo felt prouder of his new uniform at
that moment than at any time since he had put it on.

" But tell me about yourself, Latrobe," he insisted.
"I didn't know whether you were alive or dead,

241

242 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

and only heard of you once long ago, through
Lesbia."

" Yes, sah. Mah sister Lesby found me in Eng-
land an' I send you de money what your own farder
give me to keep for you. I hoping you get it, sah."

" Yes, indeed, I did, and when I most needed it,
too. Why, part of it bought this very uniform.
And to think that I have only just left Lesbia in
Portsmouth ! Did you know she was there? "

"No, sah. I ain't know nuffin 'bout her. You
see, I'se bin knocking all ober de worl', fust in one
ship, den in anudder, till bimeby I get aboard a
'Merican brig and come to Boston. One day, look-
ing 'roun', I see de ole BruQa^ and when I hear
Cap'n Spicer going hab her, I jes' nacherally come
aboard looking fer a job. Dat's all dere is to it,
sah, 'ceptin' I t'anking de good Lawd dat he 'lowin'
me an' you to be sailing togedder once more, sah."

"And I thank him for that, too," agreed Theo.
"But I say, Latrobe, how much you do look like
Lesbia. If you only wore a white turban instead of
that red kerchief tied round your head, and spec-
tacles, and gold ear-rings, and a dress, I believe you
could pass for her anywhere. You aren't so tall as
she, but your voice is almost exactly the same as
hers."

" Yes, sah, we alius said to favor each udder. An'
now, sah, 'sense me, but I must be getting dinnah,
for it mighty near six bell."

UNDER SEALED ORDERS S48

Theo was bewildered by the crowding events of
that day. He had already been greatly excited by
learning from Midshipman Greene that his sisters
had visited in Boston. At the same time the former
could not tell him much about them. He could only
say that they were beauties, awfully jolly girls, and
had, he thought, been studying while living in the
United States.

"But I say, Billy Blow!" he exclaimed. "If
they are your sisters, how does it happen you didn't
know they were here? And why isn't your name
the same as theirs? They were always called the
Misses Danbrisa, and I thought even that was queer
when their uncle was Judge Breeze."

"The reason I don't know more about them,"
replied Theo, " is a long story, which I will tell you
the first good chance we get. As for the name,
mine is the same as theirs. That is, it is Theophilo
Guillermo Danbrisa."

" Whew ! what a mouthful 1 " ejaculated the
other.

"Yes, isn't it? And I suppose that is the reason
everybody in Portsmouth called me Billy Blow."

" It is a rum go, calling a fellow out of his real
name like that," remarked Midshipman Greene,
meditatively. "At the same time, it's often done.
I once had a chum named Osbaldistone Hikenloop,
who was never called anything but Jack Chicken-
coop, so I suppose it's all right. Hello I we're about

244 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

to get off. Bos'n*s piping for stations. See you
later.''

With this the young officer sprang away to his
assigned place of duty on the forecastle.

Theo, not yet having anything to do, walked aft
to watch the process of getting under way.

Sails were loosed and hoisted, the heavy anchor
was torn from its grip of the bottom to the shrill
music of a fife and a sturdy tramp of many feet
around the capstan. Then slowly, as though loth to
leave her comfortable berth, the Seawitch gathered
headway and began to move down the harbor.

The hills constituting Boston's "Tri Mount"
were at that time plainly distinguishable, — Copps
Hill, dominated by Paul Revere's Old North Meet-
ing House ; Beacon Hill, crowned by the yellow
dome of the State House ; and Fort Hill, nearer the
water, still showing a line of earthworks, and topped
by a signal station from which the first news of
incoming ships was reported.

Leaving these behind, the Seawitch glided swiftly
down between the " Castle," as Fort Independence
was more generally called, and Governor's Island,
and out past the grinning cannon of Fort Warren.
Then Boston Light, on Little Brewster Island, the
first structure of its kind ever erected on the Ameri-
can coast, was left behind, and once more the little
ship felt the heave of the open sea. Not until then
did Captain Spicer assemble his officers and open the

UNDEB SEALED OBDEBS 245

sealed orders, heretofore only known to the Depart-
ment and to the commandant of the Charlestown
Navy Yard, under which he sailed.

There was a minute of expectant silence as the
captain glanced rapidly over the written page.
Then he said : —

" We are ordered to Key West, gentlemen, where
we will report to Commodore David Porter, com-
manding the United States squadron now operating
in the West Indies. I can foresee some lively work
ahead of us, for I believe we are to take part in the
only fighting now to be had. I of course refer to
the crusade recently organized by our government
against the widespread and formidable association of
West Indian and Spanish- American pirates calling
themselves "Brethren of the Coast." Mr. Denni-
son, you will pass outside Nantucket and lay a
course for the Straits of Florida."

"Very good, sir."

A little later Theo found an opportunity to ask
the captain if he thought they would visit Cuba.

" I have no doubt that much of our work will be
done there," replied Alvord Spicer ; " and it was
with that expectation that I conceived the idea of
bringing you on this cruise."

" I certainly am grateful to you, sir, for giving me
the chance to fight pirates," said Theo. " Do you
think there's any prospect of our meeting with
DiabUto ? "

S40 BBETHBEN OF THE COAST

** I hope SO, for I have a heavy score to settle with
that individnal/'

^^ So have I," said our lad, as he recalled certain
scenes of his childhood that were indelibly impressed
on his memory. From that moment his chief desire
was to encounter once more the man who had taken
his father's life.

During the years that had elapsed since Theo
Breeze last saw the stately palms and verdant hills
of his native land, the Brethren of the Coast had so
increased in numbers and were grown so bold that
no merchant vessel sailing West Indian waters was
safe from them unless protected by convoy. The
Spanish government was too weak to control them,
while local authorities, if not in actual collusion with
the pirates, at least made only slight effort to sup-
press them. As American commerce suffered more
than any other, and was in danger of being driven
from that part of the ocean, the United States was
at length forced to take the matter in hand, and
make a determined effort to destroy these pests of
the sea.

For this purpose a naval force consisting of the
eighteen-gun sloop of war Hornet^ the twelve-gun
brigs JEnterprise and Sparky the twelve-gun schooners
Porpoise^ Sharks and Grampus^ and three gunboats,
was in the year 1821 despatched to the West Indies.
While this squadron did splendid work, capturing and
destroying a number of pirate vessels, besides several

UNDER SEALED OBDERS 247

places of rendezvous, it was wholly inadequate for
the service required. In the following year, there-
fore, it was strengthened by the frigates Macedonian
and Congre%%^ the corvette John Adams^ the sloop of
war Peacock^ and the twelve-gun schooner Alligator^
the whole being placed under command of Captain
James Biddle. Although the frigates, sloops of
war, and even the brigs, were entirely too heavy to
follow the pirates into the shoal waters where they
invariably took refuge when pursued, a number of
brilliant captures were made during the year by
the smaller craft of the squadron. Thus the Shark
fought and took the infamous piratical schooner
Bandara D'*Sangare and five other buccaneering
craft, and the Orampus captured the brigs Pan-
drita and Palmira, and a large schooner. The
Alligator boldly attacked three pirate schooners,
manned by three hundred cutthroats, that were
discovered with five captured merchantmen in their
possession. The Americans, forced by shoal water
to make a boat assault, captured one of the pirate
schooners, together with the five merchant vessels,
killed a vast number of the buccaneers, and put the
remainder to flight. At the same time they lost
their own intrepid leader. Lieutenant William
Howard Allen. Two nights later his plucky lit-
tle schooner was driven by a heavy gale on the
Florida reef, and lost ; but her name and memory
are perpetuated by the fine shaft of Alligator Light,

148 BBETHBEN OF THE COAST

erected some years afterward near the scene of her
wreck.

Captain Biddle, bluff sailor and hard fighter that
he was, had no taste for diplomacy; and finding
that most of his time must be spent in negotiating
with crafty Spanish officials for permission to land
on their coasts, and thus pursue the pirates to their
hiding-places, he asked to be recalled from the un-
congenial task.

Captain Biddle's request being granted, the next
year saw the American forces commanded by Com-
modore David Porter, who, with the frigate JSssex^
had recently won world-wide fame in the Pacific.
Profiting by the experience of his predecessors,
Commodore Porter sent home the big, useless frig-
ates, and supplied their places with eight small
schooners, and eight twenty-oared barges. These
last were appropriately named — Mosquito^ Midge^
Ghnat^ Sandfly^ and Q-allinipper, He also took with
him a large storeship and a New York steam ferry-
boat, the SeagulU to tow his barges, thus introduc-
ing the first steam-propelled vessel into the United
States Navy. Of the old squadron he retained the
Peacock^ John Adams^ Hornet^ Sparky Cf-rampiLS^ and
Shark, Thus was made up a fleet of twenty-one
vessels, eminently suited to the work of driving
from the sea forever the dreaded Brethren of the
Coast.

Commodore Porter selected Key West, which he

UNDEB SEALED OBDEBS 249

called " Thompson's Island," after the then Secre-
tary of the Navy, as his rendezvous, because of its
location midway between Cuba and the most south-
erly point of United States mainland, and because
of its fine harbor. Here, then, ten days after leav-
ing Boston, the Seawitch reported for duty, and was
ordered to sail the next morning for Havana.

CHAPTER XXX

IN A JOURNAL OF HAVANA

DiTBiNQ the preceding six months the American
mosquito fleet under Commodore Porter had done
more toward the suppression of piracy than had
been accomplished by the combined efforts of the
United States, England, and Spain, in the past two
years. His light-draught schooners and swift-row-
ing barges had penetrated scores of shoal-water
lagoons, sounds, and bays, in which the pirates had
hitherto been safe from attack. In these places they
had destroyed innumerable vessels, killed or dis-
persed their cutthroat crews, recovered a vast
amount of stolen property from caves and hidden
storehouses, and left only smoking ruins behind
them. Their daring crews never hesitated to fight ,
against apparently overwhelming odds, or to follow
their officers into any form of danger. They
toiled like galley slaves, under burning suns, or
while breathing the fever-laden night air of pestilent
swamps, with unflagging cheerfulness. Day after
day, and night after night, they suffered tor-
ments from the bites and stings of infinite myriads
of insects, but never for a moment had they faltered
or looked back from the task intrusted to them.

260

IN A JOURNAL OF HAVANA 261

In the simple performance of duty they endured all
the miseries and horrors of war, without any of its
compensating glory or rewards. In addition to their
other trials, yellow fever made its appearance among
them, and, upon the arrival of the Seawitch at Key
West, many, both of officers and crews, were in the
newly established hospital.

In this emergency, Theo Breeze was ordered to
the schooner Oreyhound^ which, in addition to its
commander. Lieutenant Lawrence Kearney, carried a
grave-faced young fellow, some twenty years of age,
named David Glasgow Farragut. Thus it happened
that, almost at the outset of his career, our lad found
himself a watch officer, charged with heavy responsi-
bilities; but, thanks to the careful training of Alvord
Spicer, and the friendly aid of Midshipman Farragut,
he was enabled to perform his new duties to the
entire satisfaction of his superiors.

Latrobe was distressed at being thus separated
from his young friend, and begged to be allowed to
accompany him. As this request could not be
granted, he was forced to be content with the
knowledge that their parting was only temporary,
and that Theo would rejoin the Seamtch as soon as
the officer whose place he was filling should be
again fit for duty.

There was so much to be accomplished that no
vessel could be allowed to remain long at the rendez-
vous, and the Chreyhound was no sooner ready for

252 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

sea than she was ordered to proceed to the southern
coast of Cuba, in company with the schooner Beagle^
and make a search for pirates from one end of the
island to the other. At the same time the Seawitch
was detailed for convoy duty between Havana and
the Bahamas, beyond which the Brethren of the
Coast never ventured.

As the Greyhound and Beagle were also to make
Havana the starting-point of their cruise, the three
schooners sailed in company at daylight. Until this
time the vessel to which Theo was now attached had
been considered extremely fast, and Midshipman
Farragut informed his new comrade that they would
undoubtedly reach their first port of destination
some hours in advance of the others.

" You'll have to use something besides sails then,"
replied Theo.

"Oh, I guess not," laughed the other. "We
know pretty well what the Beagle can do, and she is
safe to lose one mUe in every ten while sailing with

us."

" I wasn't thinking of the Beagle^'* said Theo,
dryly.

" Ah, you mean the Seawitch ! Of course, I might
have remembered that you would stand up for her.
Well, she'll have a chance to show what she can do
to-day. I must say, though, she doesn't seem to be
in any particular hurry about getting started.
What makes you think she is fast?"

-» o

T}^r yr\v ^/r^-r

r » . . -

IN A JOURNAL OF HAVANA 263

"I saw her built," replied our lad, " and I re — "

" You saw her built ? " cried the other. " How can
that be ? I heard Captain Spicer say, at the Com-
modore's dinner last night, that she was originally
a pirate, and that he had been compelled to work
at her construction while a prisoner among the
Brethren. I think he said it was Diablito's gang
that built her, somewhere near Cape Cruz."

" That is all true enough, and I was living with
that gang at the time. In fact, I was being brought
up to the trade of piracy, and should probably be a
full-fledged ' Brother ' to-day if it had not been for
Captain Spicer."

"You don't mean itl" cried Midshipman Farragut,
staring at his fellow-officer in astonishment. " And
I thought all the time that you were a green
hand, just fresh from Yankeedom, who had probably
never been away from home before. Won't we
have yarns to spin, though ! And won't Captain
Kearney be interested ? Do you suppose you could
find that Cape Cruz den, now ? "

" I don't know," replied Theo, doubtfully. " It is
a long time since I was there, and besides, we left
it in the night ; but — oh, I say ! what do you
think of the Seawitch now?"

The two young men had been so engrossed in
their conversation that for a few moments they had
paid little attention to anything else. The com-
mander of the schooner was taking her out himself ;

264 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

and as they talked their eyes had been fixed on
the Beagle^ which had started ahead of them, but
which they were slowly overtaking. At Theo's
exclamation Farragut cast a glance astern.

" Whew ! " he ejaculated ; " your pirate craft cer-
tainly is moving."

At this moment Captain Kearney called out, " We
mustn't let that fellow overtake us, Mr. Farragut,
BO I think you'd better bend on the main staysail."

" Ay, ay, sir ! " replied the midshipman ; and
under his brisk orders the Qreyhound's crew were
speedily at work, showing to the breeze every stitch
of light canvas their craft possessed. At this busi-
ness Theo worked as hard as any one, though feeling
certain that it was wasted effort.

Thus urged, the Qreyhouvd seemed fairly to fly,
and quickly passed the Beagle^ which also was under
everything she could carry. But it was all of no
use; for the new-comer, under working sails only,
and without touching sheet or brace, crept up inch
by inch and foot by foot until she was fairly
abreast of the struggling Beagle. Courteously
running through the lee of the latter, the nimble
schooner braced sharp on a wind and started after
the Crreyhound^ evidently intending to gain a weather
position if possible.

" Two can play at that game," muttered Captain
Kearney. "Down with your helm, quartermaster,
and luff her all she will bear."

m A JOURNAL OF HAVANA 256

" Ay, ay, sir 1 "

It was as pretty a luffing match as ever was seen ;
but the Seawitch heading a point closer than her
rival, apparently into the very eyes of the wind,
slowly but surely drew ahead, until the two schoon-
ers presented broadsides to each other with the new-
comer a quarter of a mUe to windward- Then
sheets were almost imperceptibly slackened aboard
the latter, her helm was eased a trifle, and she
leaped forward like an arrow just released.

" She is worthy of her name," muttered Captain
Kearney, deeply chagrined, but gazing after the
marvellous craft with the honest admiration of a
true sailor. " I didn't suppose anything that floated
could outfoot and outpoint the old * Hound' like
that, and I would not have believed it possible had
I not seen it done."

During the luffing match between these two the
Beagle had gained a lead of a mile ; but within half
an hour this had been overcome, and an hour
later the Seawiteh was but a white speck on the
southern horizon. Shortly before sunset of that
same evening, as the two beaten schooners drew
near the entrance to Havana harbor, they again
sighted the nimble craft, this time coming toward
them in company with half a dozen American and
English merchantmen that had been waiting for
armed convoy through the pirate-infested waters.

Both dipped their ensigns, and fired g^uns in salate

266 BBETHREN OF THE COAST

to their victorious rival — a courtesy that Alvord
Spicer was prompt to return ; and then they parted
company, not to meet again for months.

From the OreyhouncTs deck Theo Breeze had
watched that day's performance of the wonderful
schooner that he loved as though she were his own,
with pride and envy. He was proud of her per-
formance, but longed to be aboard and share her
victory.

" It is hard luck," he muttered, " to be transferred
just at this time, and I don't see why Greene could
not have been selected instead of me."

Theo found some compensation in boasting of the
craft which he stiU claimed, to his present comrades,
and in relating to them her history. This, of course,
included much of his own, to which they listened
with interest, and the very next day this conversa-
tion bore unexpected fruit.

As it was found necessary for the American
schooners to remain for a short time in Havana
harbor, Theo, anxious to visit the city, and Mid-
shipman Farragut, eager to act as his guide, obtained
shore leave and set forth to see the sights. While
refreshing themselves in a cafe, Farragut, who had
a working knowledge of Spanish, picked up a daily
paper and glanced carelessly over its contents. All
at once he exclaimed : —

" Hello, Billy Blow I I wonder if this won't
interest you 1 "

IN A JOURNAL OF HAVANA 257

Thus saying, he passed the paper to his compan-
ion, at the same time indicating a long legal adver-
tisement that appeared on one of its pages.

With considerable difficulty — for he could speak
Spanish much better than he could read it — Theo
finally made out that the notice referred to his own
home. It announced that unless Theophilo Guil-
lermo Breeze, only son and heir of the late Daniel
Breeze, should appear within one year from date of
publication, to make good his claim against the
estate known as La Brisa, situate, etc., etc., it would
be sold by order of the administrator, the sale to be
by public auction on the premises as per further
announcement. This notice, which bore date of
several months earlier, was signed "Theophilus
Breeze, Administrator," and was followed by an
attested copy of the decree under which he was em-
powered to act.

" I should say it did interest me ! " cried Theo,
"and I'll have to manage somehow to be on hand at
the time of the sale, which I guess I can do, seeing
that it won't be for some months yet."

" Seems to me you ought to do something about it
at once," said Midshipman Farragut, reflectively.

" What, for instance ? "

" Well, you might insert a notice in the same
paper, warning the administrator, who, you say, is
your uncle, that you are alive, and on deck."

" That's so, I guess I will," replied Theo, who still

S68 BRETHBEN OF THE COAST

had a few dollars of the money given him by Lesbia
in his pocket.

So it happened that, when the administrator's
notice next appeared, it was closely followed by
another, stating that the above-mentioned heir of
Daniel Breeze was not only alive, and in Cuba, but
would be ready within six months to prove his iden-
tity and make good his claim to La Brisa, the sale of
which in the meantime was hereby forbidden. This
was signed " Theophilo Guillermo Breeze."

" You see," Theo explained to his friend, " I don't
know how long it will take to fetch Lesbia, my old
nurse, down here from Portsmouth, where she is now
living, and she is my most important witness. In
the meantime I must get to La Brisa, find out if my
mother is still living there, and let her know of my
existence. How lucky for me that I was transferred
to the Qreyhoundr*

CHAPTER XXXI

"DONE AT LA BBISA "

Afteb leaving Havana the American schooners
sailed to the westward, and, rounding Cape San
Antonio, began to work their way slowly along the
southern coast of the great island. For six weeks
they cruised among the myriad keys of the vast
archipelago lying to the southward of Cuba, in and
out the bewildering channels of the Jardines, and
entirely around the Isle of Pines, without capturing
a single pirate. The Brethren of the Coast were too
alert, and their signal system was too complete, to
permit them to fall into the hands of an enemy of
whose coming they had already been warned from
Havana. While the Americans found many places
of rendezvous, which they destroyed, these were
always deserted, and whatever plunder they had
contained was too skilfully concealed to be found.
They saw numerous signal smokes by day, and at
night fires flashed their warnings from key to key
or from headland to headland. They caught occa-
sional glimpses of shadowy craft skimming along
the coast, and invariably gave chase. If they over-
took one, which was seldom, it always turned out

259

260 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

to be a vessel admirably suited to piratical opera-
tions, but manned by a crew of turtlers or fisher-
men, who vehemently protested that they were only
following their legitimate business.

" It is like chasing a lot of will-o'-the-wisps through
a swamp I " explained Midshipman Farragut, in dis-
gust, after the Greyhound had pursued one swift-sail-
ing schooner all through one blazing hot day, and
finally cornered her, only to find that she was laden
with a reeking mass of recently gathered sponge.
This was black, slimy, and of such horrible odor
that the Americans forbore to investigate the
unsavory cargo. If they had, and if their search
had been sufficiently thorough, they might have
discovered the heavy guns and small arms that
lay concealed beneath it, deep down in the hold.
As it was, they got away from the vile-smelling craft
as quickly as possible, and headed for a point on the
mainland where, as they had been told, they might
renew their supplies of fresh water, fruit, and vege-
tables.

Reaching the mouth of a small river, to which they
had been directed, the Q-reyliound dropped anchor, and
sent an armed boat to explore it. This boat, com-
manded by Midshipman Theophilus Breeze, had
gone but a short distance up the river, when it came
to a well-built stone pier jutting out from a group
of stately cocoanut palms. The Americans caught
gUmpses of swarthy figures, dodging among the

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"DONE AT LA ERISA" 261

trunks of these; but there was no response to
their calls, nor, after landing, could they discover
a human being.

Leaving two men to guard the boat, Theo bade
the others follow him up a palm-shaded avenue
that led back from the pier. It was sadly over-
grown with weeds and a tangle of vines ; but a
narrow path had been kept open, and this they
followed. It ended at a park-like space dotted
with palms, the Corojo, the cocoanut, the stately
Royal, and many others. Half hidden by these,
and in the very centre of the park, could be seen
the gray stone walls and red-tiled roofs of several
buildings.

For a full minute the young officer stood motion-
less, gazing spellbound at the scene before him, and
so overcome with emotion that he could not speak.
Ever since landing he had been puzzled by the
familiarity of his surroundings, and now he knew
that he had come again to the place of his birth.
There could be no doubt of it; for his own faint
memories of La Brisa had been strengthened dur-
ing the past few years by Lesbia's descriptions,
and now he recognized familiar details on all sides.
Roused by a movement among his men, who were
impatient to push forward, Theo bade them follow
him, and turning abruptly to one side, led them
to a gigantic silk cotton tree, from under whose
buttressed trunk gushed a superb spring of crystal

202 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

water, having a bed of sand white as driven snow.
Giving orders that the casks should be brought to
this place and filled, Theo left his men to wonder
what had come over their young officer, and how
he had known of this hidden spring.

Had he chosen, he could have told them that this
" Ceiba Spring," as it was called, was the very first
thing in life he could remember, for it had been
Lesbia's favorite resort, and he had dabbled in its
waters as a child. Now, as he hurried with eager
steps along the well-remembered path leading from
it to the house, he was filled with conflicting fears
and hopes. Were his mother and sisters still liv-
ing, and at La Brisa? or should he find strangers
occupying the place that had been their home and
his?

As he drew near the buildings, his pace slackened
and he gazed at them with a sinking heart. No
human being was to be seen, no sound broke the
ominous silence ; the grounds were unkempt and
overgrown. In walking slowly around the main
house he saw that it was indeed deserted. Its doors
and the massive shutters of its windows were closed
and barred. A rank and untrimmed growth of
vines ran riot over its verandas, in which nesting-
birds fluttered with the fearlessness of undisturbed
possession. There was nothing to tell if the dear
ones whom he had so fondly hoped to meet were
still living ; and in the home-coming that he had

"DONE AT LA BEISA" 2dS

SO often pictured, his only greeting was an impene-
trable silence.

As he was about to turn away heavy-hearted, he
was attracted by a paper tacked to a wall of the
house, and on examination found it to be a printed
copy of the very notice he had read in Havana.

Having satisfied himself that it was the same,
Theo retraced his steps to the Ceiba Spring, and
then, with water-barrels filled, took his boat back
to the waiting schooner.

The young officer's report was heard with great
interest by the commander of the Ghreyhound^ who,
when he understood that the former had indeed dis-
covered his childhood's home, announced his inten-
tion of going ashore for a look at the place. " You
may come with us, if you choose," he said to Mid-
shipman Farragut — a permission of which the latter
was only too glad to avail himself.

Before leaving the schooner Theo wrote on a large
sheet of paper a copy of the notice he had caused
to be published in Havana, dating it, adding, " Done
at La Brisa," and signed his name in full. It was
also signed : —

** Lawrence Kearney, U.S.N. 1 „

David Glasgow Farragut, U.S.N. J

This paper was taken ashore and fastened to the
wall of the house beside the one already there.
Then, under Theo's guidance, the officers visited

204 BEETHREN OF THE COAST

the quarters in which dwelt the employees of the
estate, but found every house closed and deserted,
though most of them bore signs of recent occupation.
They afterward learned that, being mistaken for
pirates, the entire community had fled m a panic upon
their approach.

" A regular deserted village," remarked Lieu-
tenant Kearney to Theo. " I wish we could leave
you here in full possession, but I doubt if it would
be advisable to do so under the circumstances, even
if it were possible. As it is, the service could not
spare you just now, and besides, you need much
more information before taking active measures.
This you might gain by remaining here ; but it is
more likely to be obtained in one of the larger
cities, either Santiago or Havana, at both of which
we shall touch before completing our cruise."

With this our lad was forced to be content ; and
a little later the Greyhound sailed away to rejoin her
consort at an appointed place of meeting. From it
they sailed together for Cape Cruz, where they hoped
to surprise the infamous Diablito, who, more than
any other, had made the Brethren of the Coast a
terror of West Indian waters.

In planning the forthcoming attack upon the
pirate rendezvous, Theo's intimate knowledge of the
locality was invaluable. He was able, from memory,
to make a rough sketch of the Devil's Den, showing
the location of its houses and batteries, the lagoon,

'«DONE AT LA BRISA'' . 266

and the channel leading to it. He told of the guard
boat that patrolled this channel by night, and of the
several lookouts who, from commanding eminences,
kept watch of the sea by day. Above all, he described
the only pathway through the mangrove swamp en-
closing the lagoon, a path so narrow and tortuous
that any person ignorantly attempting to follow it
must of a certainty plunge, at one point or another,
into the deadly morasses by which it was bordered.
It was so narrow that it might only be passed by one
person at a time, and could easily be defended were
the alarm of an attack once given. At the same
time, it led to a point directly behind the principal
battery commanding the lagoon.

Possessed of this information, Lieutenants Kearney
and Newton decided that the mangrove path must
be utiKzed for the surprise of the battery ; and a
small party of marines, to be commanded by Mid-
shipman Farragut, was detailed for this duty. They
were, of course, to be guided by Theo Breeze, and as
the path might only be traversed by daylight, they
were to be set ashore during the night, to take advan-
tage of earliest dawn.

Even the progress of the schooners was so timed
that they should approach Cape Cruz under cover of
darkness, in order that no intimation of their pres-
ence might be gained by the pirate lookouts. It
was nearly two o'clock in the morning before they
had drifted as close to the coast as was deemed pru-

BRETHBEN OF THE COAST

dent, and come to anchor. No lights were allowed,
the men were instructed to converse in whispers,
and the anchors, attached to rope cables that would
run out without noise, were got overboard so gently
that the water was hardly rippled by their entrance.

No sooner was an anchorage effected than the
landing party was ordered to enter its boats and
get away. Each man was given a canteen of cold
coffee, together with a ration of cooked food, and as
they noiselessly entered the boats, the young ofiBcer
who was to command the expedition received his
final instructions. Then, with muffled oars, the two
boats moved off ; and Theo Breeze, trembling with
responsibility, took a position in the bow of the one
that bore him. From here he peered forward into
the blackness, endeavoring to locate the place for
landing.

It was hard to realize that he was deliberately
going back into the Devil's Den, from which he
had once so thankfully escaped, and incredible that
he, now an officer in the United States Navy, was
the one-time wretched little " Pescar " of that same
dreadful place.

As Theo thought of these things he became sud-
denly aware that his boat was about to plunge in
among the roots of the water-loving mangroves, and
hurriedly passed the word of —

** Way enough I Back all I "

CHAPTER XXXII

AGAIN AT THB DEVIL'S DEN

Although the night was starlit, the blackness of
the mangrove swamp presented only an unbroken
wall, no detail of which could be distinguished. As
the boats must return to the schooners under cover
of darkness, and as there was no way of determining
his present position before daylight. Midshipman
Farragut ordered a landing to be made as best it
might where they were. So the boats were forced
as far as possible among the mangroves, and the
marines, scrambling out on their arching roots,
found precarious resting-places a few inches above
the fathomless mud. Then the boats departed, to be
in readiness to tow the schooners into the lagoon.

Of all the hardships encountered by American
sailors during the four years required to suppress the
Brethren of the Coast, none was greater than those
endured by Midshipman Farragut's little party on
this occasion. The night was sultry with stifling
heat, not a breath of fresh air found its way through
the dense forest, and sickening odors were exhaled
from the great swamp. The arched roots on which

267

268 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

the men were perched were so smooth and slippery
that only a tight grasp enabled them to maintain
their positions. They were forbidden the solace of
tobacco, nor were they allowed to talk aloud. Their
only unrestricted privilege was that of listening to
the weird sounds that came from every part of the
watery woodland, — screams, choked gurglings, the
clashing of great crab claws, hootings, unexplained
snappings and cracklings from close at hand, and
the bellowings of huge alligators startlingly like
that of enraged bulls. Worst of all were the clouds
of mosquitoes that enveloped them the moment they
came within the evil influence of the swamp, and
stung them until they were nearly crazed with the
torment.

" And this," growled one of the men, " is glorious
war, such as we read about."

'^ Silence I " commanded Midshipman Farragut,
sternly.

Before dawn appeared every one was confident that
it would never come, or if it did, that he would not
be alive to greet it. At length, however, after what
seemed an age of suffering and weary waiting, all
became conscious that their immediate surroundings
were dimly visible. At the same time the uncanny
night sounds that had echoed from end to end of the
great swamp abruptly ceased.

At these intimations of coming daylight, Theo
began to remove his boots and outer garments.

AGAIN AT THE DEVIL'S DEN 269

" What are you going to do ? " asked Midshipman
Farragut.

" Swim out a bit to take an observation and get
my bearings," was the answer.

" How about sharks and alligators ? " inquired the
other.

" I lived too long among both to be afraid of
either," repKed Theo, confidently. " So, with your
permission — "

" It isn't necessary," interrupted the young leader
of this forlorn expedition, "You are the official
guide, and as such must use your own judgment.
Only take care of yourself, and get us out of this
horrible position as quickly as possible. I, for
one, would rather fight pirates all day than spend
another hour such as the last."

In another moment Theo had slipped noiselessly
into the cool waters and was swimming rapidly out
to sea. At a distance of a hundred yards he paused,
raised his head, and gazed about him. He could
dimly discern the two schooners, and see that they
were already in motion toward the point he had
indicated as marking the channel entrance. On the
landward side, however, he could not, for a few
minutes, discern any familiar feature. But the light
was rapidly strengthening, a glow had come into the
sky, and at length he spied that for which he was so
anxiously searching. It was a dead tree, bleached
white by storm and sun, standing at the water's

270 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

edge within two hundred feet of where Midshipman
Farragut'fl slender command was so uncomfortably
stranded.

Hastening back, Theo quickly had his comrades
in motion, crawling slowly and awkwardly over the
stout, interlacing roots, toward the mark he had
discerned. By the time they reached it he had
resumed his garments and overtaken them.

" What next ? " asked Midshipman Farragut. " I
don't see that this place looks any more inviting
than the one we just left."

" See that line of reef jutting out into the water ? "
inquired Theo, pointing seaward.

"Yes."

" Well, it extends back through the swamp, and
makes a foundation for the path we are to follow.
This is the way."

Thus saying, the young guide stepped directly
into the mud that rose to his ankles, and began to
walk cautiously toward the heart of the swamp.

" Pass the word to follow close," he said, " and let
each man step exactly in the footprints of his file
leader.

" Bring up the rear. Sergeant," ordered Midship*
man Farragut, as he sprang after Theo. So impetu-
ous was he that he slipped with the first step, and
measured his length in the soft mud. If assistance
had not been promptly at hand, he would have sunk
forever beneath its slime. As it was, he was quickly

AGAIN AT THE DEVIL'S DEN 271

dragged from his perilous position, and regained
his footing, greatly mortified by his mishap and
present ridiculous appearance. He and those who
followed had, however, learned a lesson of caution
that they did not forget, and after that no more
missteps were made.

The narrow way, which was merely a sharp ridge of
old coral covered deep with the slime and leaf mould
of ages, was badly obstructed by thorny vines that
depended from every tree, and tore impartially at
clothing and skin as the invaders forced a passage
through them. Often the road had to be hacked
out with cutlasses, and this exertion combined with
the intense heat completely prostrated one of the
party, who had thereafter to be carried by two
of his comrades.

All at once the forest stillness was rudely broken
by a musket shot, quickly followed by others.

" It is the patrol 1 " cried Theo ; " they have dis-
covered and fired at the schooners. Now weVe got
to hurry, or the battery will open on them before we
can reach it."

With all their impatience the marines could still
make but slow progress, and ere they had cleared
the forest another rattle of musketry from close at
hand announced that the leading schooner was enters
ing the lagoon.

By this time the land party had firm ground
beneath their feet, and could see gleams of light
ahead through the timber.

873 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

^^ Leave that man," ordered their mud-encrusted
leader. ^^Look to your primings, and forward.
Never mind thorns nor anything else now ! "

With this, Midshipman Farragut sprang into the
lead, and his men, spreading out, raced with him for
the open. As they gained it they found themselves
within fifty yards of, and directly behind, an ex-
tensive battery crowded with men. At the same
moment a shrill scream announced that they were
discovered. It was uttered by a woman, who, sword
in hand, stood on the parapet directing the gunners.

" Halt 1 " commanded Midshipman Farragut.
"Ready! Aiml Fire!"

A crashing volley, and then, through the smoke
the Americans c.hai*g6d. But the pirates were too
completely taken by surprise to make a stand; and
as the marines, with exultant yells, entered the
unprotected rear of the battery, its defenders poured
pell-mell over the low parapet. Leaving dead and
wounded behind them, they rushed madly for the
beach, where several boats were in waiting. After
them dashed the Americans ; but the pirates had
gained their boats and shoved off ere the latter
arrived. So Farragut and his ragged command,
having flung aside their empty muskets, could only
stand and watch the fugitives pull furiously across
the lagoon, toward the place where Theo said their
settlement was located.

At the same time, the pirates were not to escape

AGAIN AT THE DEVIL'S DEN 278

scot-free; for the Ghreyhound was already within the
lagoon, and, with a roar from her forward pivot gun,
one of the boats was knocked to splinters. Then
the attention of the schooners was attracted to a
small battery located on the opposite shore, which just
then opened fire on them. A couple of broadsides
silenced it, and the schooners, coming to anchor, began
preparations to force a landing with their boats.

" I think I can give you the range of the build-
ings over there," said Theo to Midshipman Farra-
gut. " And with the guns of the battery we have
just taken, we might furnish those fellows with
something else to think about besides opposing a
landing party."

"Good!" cried the future admiral; "that'll be
the very thing. Back to the battery, men."

Five minutes later the heavy guns, that could
have played havoc with the American schooners
and probably destroyed them, were trained accord-
ing to the directions of Theo Breeze, and the echoes
of their deep-toned roar were bellowing among the
Cuban hills. Ere these had died away, and while
the battery was still enveloped in smoke, there came
an answering crash from the Ghreyhound; one of the
battery guns toppled from its carriage, and Midship-
man Farragut's men were showered with earth from
the parapet.

" The schooners are firing on us 1 " cried Theo, in
dismay.

S74 BRETHREN OF THE C0A8T

" Give me your handkerchief, quick ! " shouted
Farragut. ^^Mine is black with mud."

Then, snatching the proffered bit of linen, he
sprang upon the parapet, and, regardless of the
fact that the Beagle was liable to pour in a broad-
side at any moment, stood there fully exposed, wav-
ing his flag of truce. Instantly realizing their young
leader's object, as well as the danger of his position,
every American in the battery instantly clambered
to the crest of the earthwork beside him. There
they waved handkerchiefs or caps, and cheered hdt
til those on the schooners could no longer mistake
them for other than what they were.

That they were recognized was shown by a boat
that shot out from the Oretfhoundy and was pulled
rapidly toward their side of the lagoon. In it was
Lieutenant Kearney, who, as he leaped ashore, seized
both of Farragut's hands, and with visible emotion
exclaimed : —

" Thank God, my dear fellow, that you dared do
what you did, and that we recognized you in time I
You have done nobly and, by the capture of that
battery, saved us from heavy loss."

"But, sir," said modest Farragut, "every bit of
the credit is due to Billy Blow, without whom we
should never in the world have found it." And
then our lad came in for his share of praise and
congratulation.

" Are there any killed or wounded ? " asked Lieu-

AGAIN AT THE DEVIL'S DEN 276

tenant Kearney, anxiously, after Farragut had briefly
outUned the morning's proceedings.

**Not of my men, sir," replied the disreputable-
looking young officer, "but we dropped a number
of the enemy, and I think one of them was a
woman."

^* A woman I "

^' Yes, sir ; at least, so it appeared." «

^' Where is she now ? "

" In the battery, I believe, sir."

^^ Let us go at once and see."
I am almost certain, sir," interjected Theo Breeze,
as the three officers started up the slope, " that she
was the wife of Diablito."

CHAPTER XXXIII

TOLD BY ALVOBD SPICEB

Tub woman who lay dead just outside the battery
with which she had expected to destroy the American
schooners, was indeed the wife of the pirate chief-
tain. In his absence she had undertaken to defend the
rendezvous ; and but for Theo's intimate knowledge
of the situation, she would doubtless have succeeded
in driving off the invaders, since the battery was of
great strength and admirably placed. Now, however,
with its fall and her death, there was no further
thought of resistance, and when the Americans
landed on the opposite side of the lagoon they found
the pirate settlement deserted.

It had greatly increased in size since Theo last saw
it, and contained several large houses from fifty to
one hundred feet in length. Some of these were
already in flames from the fire of the battery, and
the Americans destroyed all that remained. They
also rendered useless a fleet of boats found on the
beach ; but to their disappointment no vessel was
discovered in the harbor, Diablito, with a large por-
tion of his fighting force, being absent on one of his
cruises for plimder.

Theo led the way to the hidden caves, from which

276

TOLD BY ALVORD SPICEB 277

immense quantities of goods, American, EngUsh, and
Spanish, were removed to the schooners. He also
paid a visit by water to the cave with a submerged
entrance, that served him as a place of refuge from
persecution when a friendless boy. A single glance
about the interior that had once afforded him friendly
shelter was sufficient; for the rocky floor was so
strewn with human bones as to make it a veritable
charnel-house. It was evident that the pirates had
continued to use it as a place for the convenient dis-
posal of their unfortunate prisoners, and our lad
hastened from it in horror. In fact, the entire ren-
dezvous revived such bitter memories that he had no
desire to see more of it, and returning to the Grey-
hound^ he remained on board until, with their work
of destruction completed, the two schooners finally
sailed away.

It was useless to await the return of Diablito with
the hope of entrapping him; for, with their coming,
alarm signals had notified all Brethren of the Coast,
far and wide, of what was taking place. So the
Americans repaired to Santiago, where Theo learned
that his mother and sisters had left Cuba some years
earlier, though where they had gone no one could
tell him.

"It's tough luck, Billy Blow," said Midshipman
Farragut, sympathetically, ** but you are sure to gain
information in Havana, now that you know what to
ask for."

378 BBETHBEN OF THE C0A8T

"Perhaps so," replied Theo, despondently, "though
I haven't much hope. You see they have been gone
such a long time. If I don't learn anything definite,
though, I shall go to La Brisa and wait for some-
thing or somebody to turn up."

" How about the service ? Are you sure you can
get off ? "

"Yes," replied Theo, "since I am neither com-
missioned nor even enlisted, but am merely a volun-
teer, paying my own shot. It was an arrangement
that I didn't care much for at first, but now I am
glad Captain Spicer fixed things that way."

" Well, I envy you," said Farragut, " even if you
■ I do have to fight for your rights. As for me," he

continued somewhat bitterly, " I have neither parents
nor estate. I haven't even a home that I can call
my own, outside of any ward room to which I may
be ordered. Some time, if I have luck, and outlive a
lot of good fellows, I may hope to be a captain ; but
beyond that I have nothing in prospect. Yes, Billy
Blow, you are a lucky chap, and I envy you."

"I can't see exactly where my good luck comes
in," objected Theo. "I seem to have lost all the
relatives I had in the world except an uncle whom 1\
have never met and who will not accept me as a
nephew without positive proof of my identity. I
am heir to an estate, it is true, but even then I must
fight for my rights with no money to back me up,
and only a slim chance of winning. In such a con-

! I
II

TOLD BY ALVORD SPICER 279

test the only person who could testify that I am
really the son of Daniel Breeze is an old colored
woman who used to be my nurse, but who now lives
in Portsmouth, and even she lost track of me for a
good many years, regarding which her evidence
would have no value."

"How about that fellow Latrobe, of whom you
have told me ? Couldn't he fill up all the blanks in
the nurse's testimony ? "

" He might," admitted Theo, " and if both he and
Lesbia could appear in court at the same time, my
case might be proved. I'll try and arrange for that
as soon as we reach Havana."

As the Chreyhound cruised slowly, still keeping up
a search for pirates, it was more than a month later
before she touched at the Cuban capital. Here an
accumulation of mail matter was sent off from the
consul's ofSce as soon as she made a mooring. In
it was a letter for Theo from his dear friend, the
Reverend Mr. Spicer, but, after reading a few lines
of greeting from the writer and Lydia and Miss
Tabitha, the young man's face became suddenly
clouded. " I declare, it is too bad I " he exclaimed.

"What is?" asked Farragut, who, not having
received any letters, was watching Theo read his.

" Why, this. Listen : * Shortly after your depar-
ture we were surprised and puzzled by the mysterious
disappearance of your old nurse Lesbia, who went
away, leaving no trace, nor has she since been heai'd

teO BRETHREN OF THE COAST

from. About the same time I received a visit from
a gentleman claiming to be your father's brother,
and consequently your uncle. He seems to believe,
or rather so he intimated, that there is some doubt
concerning your identity. I only hope that these
two events are not connected, but fear they may be,
and think it will be well for you to consult with Al-
vord.' Isn't that a pretty state of affairs?" cried
Tlieo, as he concluded the reading.

^^It certainly makes the situation more interest-
ing," replied Farragut, reflectively. "But it's a
lucky thing the Seawitch happens to be in port ;
for you can at least follow the old gentleman's
advice, and consult Captain Spicer without delay."

Theo had joyfully noted the fact that his old
schooner was in Havana harbor, and would have
applied for leave to visit her at once, had not the
coming of the mail momentarily diverted his atten-
tion. Now he did so, and his request was readily
granted.

A little later, therefore, a shore-going boat took
him to the Seawitch, where he was warmly greeted
by Captain Spicer, Midshipman Greene, and his
other friends on board. Even while he was shaking
hands with these, however, he glanced forward, as
though anxious to see some one else. Finally he
said : —

" I hope, sir, that Latrobe is still on board."

" I am sorry to say that he is not," replied Captain

TOLD BY ALVOBD SPICEB 281

Spicer, ^^nor do I know what has become of him.
But it is a long story, and I will tell it to you in the
cabin."

" With both my principal witnesses gone, my
chances of La Brisa are growing beautifully less,"
reflected the young man, as he followed his superior
below.

The latter first insisted upon hearing of all that
had happened to him since their parting. This
of course included the seeing and answering of
the administrator's notice in the Havana journal,
the discovery of La Brisa, and the destruction of the
pirate nest at Cape Cruz, which last piece of news
afforded Alvord Spicer intense satisfaction. He was
also greatly interested in all that Theo had to tell
of La Brisa, and when the latter concluded his narra-
tion, he said : —

^' I also have information bearing upon the ques-
tion of your Cuban property, that I am sure will
prove of interest to you."

" Does it refer to Latrobe ? " asked Theo.

**Not exactly," replied the other, "though in a
measure it may. To begin with, your mother and
sisters are not only alive and well, but are on the
island."

" What ! " gasped Theo, starting from his chair.
** Do you really mean it, sir ? How do you know ?
Have you seen them ? Why were they not at La
Brisa ? "

282 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

" I really mean it," replied Alvord Spicer, smiling,
^^ and I know because I have seen them, though not
to speak with, nor was I aware at the time who they
were. Perhaps I should say that I saw your mother
and two sisters, the two youngest, I believe, the
eldest being in Spain, where she has become a can-
desa by marriage. You did not find them at La
Brisa because they had not yet arrived ; but I imag-
ine they are there by this time, in company with
your uncle. Judge Breeze of Boston."

" How I wish I had stayed there I " exclaimed
Theo.

"If you had," remarked Alvord Spicer, dryly,
" you would doubtless have shared the fate of your
father, long before the rest of your family arrived."

" What do you mean, sir ? "

" Only that, ever since our escape from the Devil's
Den, our friend Diablito has maintained secret
agents at La Brisa, for the express purpose of killing
you if you should ever dare show yourself in that
neighborhood. Also, if you had failed to accompany
the Greyhound to Cape Cruz, the Devil's Den, now
destroyed, thanks to you, would probably still be a
flourishing stronghold of the Brethren."

" That's so," admitted Theo. " At the same time I
wish I might have been in actual possession when
my administrator uncle appeared on the scene.
But how did you find out about the secret agents ?
Have you seen Diablito himself ? "

TOLD BY ALVORD SPICEB 283

" I have," replied Alvord Spicer, gravely, " and
am rejoiced to say that he no longer exists to
terrorize these waters."

" Do you mean that he is dead? "

"I do."

" Did you kill him, sir? " asked Theo, impulsively,
remembering his friend's expressed longing to meet
and try conclusions with the pirate chief who had
once held him as a slave.

" I regret to say that I did not, the honor going
instead to our friend Latrobe. And that brings me
to the story I promised to tell you."

CHAPTER XXXIV

THE PUNISHMENT OP DIABLITO

^* From the day you left the Seamtch^''^ continued
Captain Spicer, ^^ Latrobe was a changed man. All
his old-time cheerfulness disappeared. He became
moody and sullen, snapped at the men when they
spoke to him or even went near his galley, until at
length they left him severely alone. Worst of all,
he neglected his duties, and was frequently found
sitting with his face in his hands, apparently oblivi-
ous of everything, when he should have been prepar-
ing a meal. If it had not been for the memory of
his splendid work when we were escaping from the
Devil's Den, I should have given him a taste of the
cat, but, recalling my obligations to him, I only gave
him a good wigging instead. I doubt if he heard a
word of it though ; for, when I had finished, he
asked if I thought you had gone to La Brisa*

" I replied that I shouldn't be at all surprised if
you discovered the place during your cruise, where-
upon he begged me to discharge him from the
service as soon as we returned to Havana, that he
might follow you.

" I told him of course that such a thing would be

284

THE PUNISHMENT OF DIABLITO 286

impossible until his term of enlistment had expired^
unless, indeed, he should happen to be so badly
wounded or fall so ill as to be of no further use on
board ship. I added, however, that, even if you did
find La Brisa, you could not leave the Ghreyhound
until her cruise was up, when you would undoubtedly
return to this ship. At that he brightened up, and
from that day we had no trouble with him so far as
his work was concerned, though he was still savage
with the men, and kept them at a distance from his
galley. My private opinion is that he only shipped
on board this craft to be near you, after learning
that you were about to join her."

" I don't see how he could possibly have known,"
said Theo; "for I am certain he never went near
Portsmouth, nor did I set eyes on him until I came
aboard."

Be that as it may," continued Captain Spicer,

his whole being is evidently bound up in you, and
I am confident he would gladly serve you with his
life."

*' But what has all this to do with my mother and
sisters?" demanded Theo, who felt that he had
heard quite enough of Latrobe for the present.

"Nothing as yet, and perhaps nothing at all,"
responded the other; "only, in the regular order
of narration, Latrobe came first, your family not
appearing on the scene imtil some weeks later. In
the meantime we made several convoy trips between

286 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

Havana and the Bahamas, either alone or in com-
pany with the Ferrety on which, by the way, is an
old friend of yours from Portsmouth."

** Not Rawl Patton ! " exclaimed Theo.

"That's the very chap, — Midshipman Rawl
Patton."

"How I wish I could meet him."

"You are sure to, sooner or later. But, to get
back to my story. About a month ago we and the
Ferret were returning from one of our convoy trips,
having with us an American brig that we had
picked up off Double Headed Shot Keys, when, one
day, we were startled by a sound of distant but
evidently heavy firing. I signalled the Ferret to
follow, and headed in that direction, but it was
nearly two hours before we reached the scene of
action, and made out what was going on. Then
we discovered a large ship, flying Spanish colors,
standing off a pirate schooner, but evidently on
her last legs. Her rigging was badly shot away,
two topmasts had gone by the board, and she was
on fire.

"As we showed no colors and our ports were
closed, the pirate chap paid no attention to us until
we were within a mile of him, when he seemed to
smell a rat; for, all of a sudden, he up stick and
ran under everything he could spread. We set our
ensign, signalled the Ferret to stand by the Span-
iard, and put after him. As we passed the ship

THE PUNISHMENT OF DIABLITO 287

that had so pluckily stood off the pirate, I saw
that she was pretty well used up and must have
surrendered within a few minutes more. The fire
aboard her was also making rapid headway, but, as
the Ferret was close at hand, we did not stop. I
wished we could, for, as we swept under her quarter,
I caught sight of three female figures leaning over
the after rail, and stretching out their arms to us
in a most imploring manner. I lifted my cap to
them, pointed to the Ferrety and then turned away,
that I might not be tempted beyond my strength
to resist."

"Were they my mother and sisters?'* asked
Theo.

"That is exactly who they were, though I did
not know it until half an hour later, when Latrobe
told me."

" Latrobe ? How on earth did he know ? "
"I haven't an idea, and doubted the correctness
of his information at the time, but he was after-
wards proved to be right. I had gone forward to
note the trim of the head sails, and was on my
way aft, when he stopped me by saying : —

"'Cap'n Spicer, sah, you knowin' dat ar pirate
schooner ? '

"I replied, *No, Latrobe, do you?'
" ' Yes, sah,' he said, *she La VengenzaJ*
" ' Diablito's own schooner ! ' I cried ; * are you sure
of it, Latrobe ? '

288 BBETHRBN OF THE COAST

^ ^ Tes, sah,' he answered, with one of the ugliest
looks I ever saw on a human face. * Dat ole Debbie
hese^f, and dis time we going catch him, sure.'

'^*I hope you are right, Latrobe, and shall cer-
tainly use every effort to catch him,' I said, and
was walking on, when he stopped me again, by
saying, * Sense me, Marse Cap'n, but you know
who dem lady, board de ship ? '

" 'No, Latrobe,' I responded ; * who were they ?'

'' ' One ob dem Senora Danbrisa, and I specs de
udder two am her gals, Tay-o-feel-o's sisters.'

"'Impossible!' I cried. 'How could you know
them when you have never seen them ? '

" ' I know,' he replied positively ; ' one time I see
'em and now I know.'

" I had to leave him then, and after that we had
no chance for conversation, but he was proved to be
right in both his statements."

" I don't understand it," said Theo.

"Neither do I," admitted Captain Spicer, "though
at the time I had little opportunity to reflect upon
what he had said. You remember how speedy La
Vengenza was? Well, she gave us so long a chase that
even the smoke from the burning ship was lost to
view before we came to blows ; and it was she that
opened the fight. No sooner was it certain that the
Ferret could not come to our assistance in case we
were disabled, than the pirate coolly hove to and
opened on us with a long eighteen. As we had

THE PUNISHMENT OP DIABLITO 280

nothing heavier than twelves, we were forced to
receive several shots before replying. Then we
were so fortanate as to wing him, but his battery
fire was still so much heavier than ours that our
only chance was to board before he shot away our
masts. So we raked him once and then ranged up
on his weather beam, giving him a pomt-blank broad-
side as we closed. They outnumbered us three to
one, and at the beginning put up a very pretty fight;
but somehow it is always a spurt with such fellows,
and they rarely show staying qualities. It was so
in the present case ; and five minutes after we gained
their deck we had them on the run.

" Diablito himself fought like a tiger until he saw
that his case was hopeless, then he suddenly made a
dash for the cabin and disappeared. I had tried my
best to get at him, for I was wild to settle old scores
with the scoundrel, but there was always some one
in the way who had to be reckoned with first. Even
when he made his break I was busy with a couple of
cutthroats who were trying their best to make an
end of me. As soon as I could get clear of them I
ran toward the cabin to see what Diablito was
about, for I had a notion that he meant to blow up
the ship. On reaching the companionway, I heard a
muffled pistol shot from somewhere down below,
and I found smoke drifting into the cabin. Guided
by it, and by certain sounds, I ran through a passage,
to where a door at one side opened into a small com-

290 BRETHBEN OF THE COAST

partment that at first seemed absolutely dark. Some
one was in there, though, for I heard in Spanish : —

" ' That for Senor Danbrisa I that for my boy, and
this for Latrobe ! You remember Latrobe, eh ? you
old devil I you remember the brand on his forehead?
Now are you also branded I '

"These words were hissed out in a tone of such
concentrated fury as I had never imagined, and were
accompanied by blows that drew forth groans. For
a moment I could see nothing. Then I became
aware of two human forms struggling at my feet,
one on top of the other with uplifted arm.

" I tried to arrest the blow, for I wished to save
Diablito until he could be hanged, but I was too
late ; and as it descended Latrobe sprang to his
feet, leaving a dagger buried to the hilt in the
heart of the pirate leader. As the negro staggered
into the light I saw that he was blinded by a stream
of blood pouring from his head. By this time
Mr. Greene and several of our men were in the
cabin, and I had one of the latter help Latrobe
on deck. Then, procuring a light, I went back to
look at Diablito. He was dead from half a dozen
wounds, any one of which would have proved fatal.
Evidently he had been stabbed first in the back, and
had fallen, partially paralyzed. Then, as Latrobe
sprang upon him, dealing fierce blows with his
dagger, Diablito had fired in his face the shot in-
tended for the open keg of powder, beside which

THE PUNISHMENT OF DIABLITO 291

we found him. Latrobe's brand was two crossed
slashes, one of which had destroyed both the pirate's
eyes, while the other had cleft his face from fore-
head to chin. Strangest of all, the pistol shot fired
by Diablito, while merely creasing Latrobe's fore-
head, had completely obliterated the infamous letters
C. P. v., with which, as you and I alone know, he
was once branded by the man he had just killed.

" When all was over, not more than half a dozen
of the pirate crew were left alive, and we brought
them to Havana to be hanged. On the way, I
learned from him who had been second in command
that the prime motive of Diablito's life had always
seemed to be a hatred of your family. This had led
him to murder your father and attempt to bring you
up to his own infamous trade. To gratify it, he
employed agents to kill you at La Brisa, and his
principal object in attacking the great Spanish ship,
with chances of success overwhelmingly against him,
was to gain possession of your mother and sisters,
whom he knew to be on board.'*

"But they were saved?" inquired Theo, anx-
iously.

" Yes, they were brought to Havana on the Ferrety
their own ship having burned to the water's edge.
Here they met your imcle ; and after resting a few
days, they started with him overland for La Brisa,
where they doubtless are by this time."

" And where I must follow them with all speed 1 "

I:!

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SOS BRETHREN OF THE COAST

exclaimed Theo. **Bat what became of Latrobe?

He did not accompany them to La Brisa, did he? "
!: \\ ** No," answered Captain Spicer ; *^ when we finally

returned to this place, he complained of so much

trouble with his wound, that I allowed him to enter

a hospital. Then we ran oyer to Key West, and on
J! again reaching this port two days ago, found that he

had left the hospital a few hours after entering it.
|j| Why he did so, and what has become of htm, no one

knows."

^■»a'

CHAPTER XXXV

LAST APPBABANCB OF LATBOBB

Theo Bbebzb had but slight recollection of his
mother, since his childhood had been almost whoUj
intrusted to the care of Lesbia ; nor had he any hope
that she would recognize him. Of course his sisters
would not ; while he and his luicle had never met.
He had, therefore, depended entirely for proofs of
his identity upon the two persons most intimately
connected with his career from its beginning, Lesbia
and Latrobe, while each of these could only testify
as to certain portions of his life. Their combined
evidence would form a complete record, and it was
for this he had hoped. Now, with both of them
mysteriously disappeared and their whereabouts
unknown, he felt that the chances of proving his
identity and making good his claim to be the son
and heir of Daniel Breeze were very slim.

With this Captain Spicer agreed, at the same time
reminding him that he still had witnesses who could
be called upon.

^^I, for instance," he said, '^can testify to your
residence at the Devil's Den, your escape from there,
and that I directed you to my father's house in

208

204 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

Portsmouth, where I afterward found you. Rawl
Patton can testify as to the date of your arrival at
Portsmouth. Mr. Greene can testify regarding your
recognition of your grandfather's portrait in Boston,
and either Kearney or Farragut could testify con-
cerning your recently displayed knowledge of La
Brisa."

" All that," replied Theo, " will of course be strong
testimony so far as it goes, and I shall be very grate-
f ul for it, if I can ever get you all together ; but — "

"Oh I I forgot," interrupted Captain Spicer.
** As it is the Commodore's policy to follow one blow
by another so quickly that the pirates may not have
a chance to recover, this schooner and the Ferret are
ordered to cruise over the ground lately covered by
the Ghreyhound and Beagle. So if you care to come
with us, I have no doubt I can now get you retrans-
ferred to this ship. The Ferret started this morn-
ing, and we are to sail to-morrow, meeting her at
the Isle of Pines. Of course it will be necessary for
us to touch at La Brisa, where we can leave you if
you choose, or from which we can carry you away
again if your welcome does not prove satisfactory."

" That will be the very thing, sir I And I don't
know how to express my gratitude for all you are
doing to help me."

" You once saved my life," remarked Alvord Spicer,
quietly.

"While you, sir, not only rescued me from a

LAST APPEARANCE OF LATROBE 205

career of piracy, but put me in the way of all the
good I have since gained," replied Theo, warmly.
"And now — "

"Never mind going into further details,'^ inter-
rupted the other. "The obligations of friendship
are not to be measured or weighed, described or
limited. If it is settled that you will pilot us to
La Brisa, let us set about making arrangements."

Toward the close of a glorious tropical day, some
weeks later, two persons sat on a rustic bench beside
the Ceiba Spring at La Brisa, engaged in earnest
conversation.

"I tell you, Dorotea, the person calling himself
your son, and setting up a claim to this property,
is a rank impostor I " exclaimed one of them, who
was no other than the administrator of the estate.
Judge Theophilus Breeze, of Boston. " His manner
of answering my notice, both in Havana and here,
while still remaining hidden, is evidence of it. Then
the claim that his nurse Lesbia had been with him
for years in Portsmouth, when we have discovered
that she has been right here on the island all the
time, is proof positive of his duplicity. No wonder
that the woman passing herself off as the old nurse
disappeared as soon as she found I was on her trail.
So, my dear sister, it is useless to revive long-buried
hopes ; for it is practically certain that your boy

tM BRETHBEN OF THE COAST

died at the same time with his noble father. There*
fore take no further thought conoeming this pre-
tender, whose true character I will expose quickly
enough if ever he dares come out of his hiding,
and submit to the searching light of a legal examina-
tion."

^^Lesbia did not exactly say that she had been
on the island all the time," explained the Senora
Danbrisa, in her delicious broken English. ^^ Only
that she had lived with her brother in Havana, and,
hearing of our return, had come to offer her seryices.
And oh, Theophilol I so long to see this young
man. If only I could once set eyes on him, I should
instantly know whether or not he was my own baby
boy, my little Prince Theo — "

^ I beg pardon for intruding," interrupted a voice
that startled both the lady and gentleman into gain-
ing their feet with undignified haste. As they did
so, they turned and confronted a handsome young
fellow clad in unifomu who stood, cap in hand, but
a few paces from them.

" I beg pardon, sir," he repeated, " for disturbing
you, but my business being of importance, I took
the liberty. Are you not Judge Theophilus Breeze,
of Boston ? "

^^I am, sir. And may I ask who you are?"
answered Judge Breeze, suspiciously.

**> I am Theophilo Guillermo Danbrisa, son of the
late Daniel Breeze of this place, and your nephew,"

LAST APFBABAKCE OF LATBOBE 207

replied the young man. Then he impulsively added,
" Is not this lady my mother? "

" No, sir, she is not," thundered the Judge. " This
lady is my sister-in-law, Mrs. Daniel Breeze, but she
has no son. Dorotea, be calm, my dear. This is
indeed the pretender come at last to brave us to our
faces ; but do not let him impose upon you. You
do not recognize in him your long-lost little Theo,
do you ? "

The Senora Danbrisa was clinging to her brother's
arm, trembling like an aspen, alternately flushing
and paling, whUe devouring with her eyes the fea-
tures of the young man.

" Do you recognize him, my dear ? '* repeated the
Judge.

^^ No, no," cried the agitated woman, almost sob-
bing with the intensity of her emotion. " I do not.
It cannot be. And yet he has dark hair, with eyes
of blue."

^^A not imcommon combination," remarked the
Judge. " You see, young man," he continued, " she
whom you have the presumption to claim as a mother
fails to recognize you. Therefore, whatever evi-
dence you can bring to support your claim must be
flawless or your position is untenable from this
moment. If you have any, I shall be pleased to
examine it now and here. If you have none, I must
regard you as a trespasser, and request your depar-
ture. What have you to say for yourself ? "

1:^

208 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

" I have some friends within call," answered Theo,
whose eyes had not been withdrawn from his mother's
face. " They know much concerning my past life,
and could, I think, convince you that I am what I
claim to be, — the only son of Daniel Breeze and
^ this lady."

! ^^ I shall be pleased to hear what they have to say,"

\\ replied the Judge, stiffly. " My dear, if you will

\ again be seated, we will dispose of this painful inci-

dent as quickly as possible."

As the Senora sank back on the rustic bench Theo
disappeared, to return a moment later accompanied
by three naval officers, in one of whom Judge Breeze
was surprised to recognize a former acquaintance.

" Ah, Mr. Greene ! " he exclaimed, " this is an un-
expected pleasure ; will you present your friends ? "

Theo, thus ignored, stepped aside, while Midship-
man Greene presented Captain Spicer and Mr.
Rawl Patton. Then, turning to Theo, he added,
"And this. Judge, is my very good friend, Mr.
Theophilus Breeze, familiarly known as * Billy Blow,'
your own nephew."

"How do you know that, sir?" asked Judge
Breeze, sharply.

"From what he has told me, and because he
instantly recognized the portrait of his grandfather
that hangs in the hall of your Boston house," was
the reply.

" Flimsy evidence, sir, and unworthy of consider-

LAST APPEARANCE OF LATROBE 299

ation," remarked the Judge. " Have either of these
other gentlemen any to oflFer that is more sub-
stantial ? "

" I think I have, sir," replied Alvord Spicer, who
thereupon told all that he knew of Theo's life from
the time of their meeting at the Devil's Den to the
present moment.

"An extremely interesting story, sir," com-
mented the Judge when he had finished, "but sen-
sational and sadly deficient. You admit that you
lost sight for many years of the young pirate who
accompanied your flight from the Devil's Den and
only recently rediscovered him in Portsmouth.
Could you take oath that the two were one and
the same persons?"

" I could, sir, were it necessary to do so," replied
Captain Spicer ; " but it is not, since my friend here,
Mr. Patton, whom I have known from childhood, is
fully conversant with the claimant's life in Ports-
mouth, from the time of his arrival in that town
until my own return to it."

"Indeed," remarked the Judge. Then, turning
to Rawl, he added, "Perhaps, sir, you will favor
us with your reminiscences."

So Midshipman Patton told his story, and strength-
ened it by that of his relative. Dr. Winthrop Conant
of Salem, whom he had recently visited.

Upon the conclusion of Rawl's narrative, Judge
Breeze acknowledged that the chain of evidence was

800 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

£airly complete from the Devil's Den to Portsmouth,
and so on to the present moment. ^ But," he added,
'^ it is still unconnected with either Daniel Breeze on
this place. Therefore it is as worthless as though
non-existent. Do you, sir, know anything of this
young man's parentage, birth, or of his life prior to
your meeting with him among the pirates of Cape
Cruz?"

This question was addressed to Alvord Spicer,
who answered : —

" Only what I have learned from a negro named
Latrobe, who was with your brother when he died,
who cared for Theo while they were together in the
Devirs Den, and who has since proved himself a
thoroughly reliable man."

" Where is this Latrobe now ? "

"I regret to say, sir, that I do not know. He
was, until recently, a member of my crew, among
whom he obtained honor as the slayer of Diablito,
but a few weeks ago he disappeared in Havana."

"His testimony might have value and it might
not," said Judge Breeze, " but unless it bore directly
upon the claimant's birth and parentage, I should
incline to the latter opinion."

At this moment the Senora, who had hardly taken
her eyes from Theo's face, started to her feet with
an exclamation at sight of a colored woman wearing
I a snow-white turban, who came to announce that

1 i dinner would shortly be served.

li;

LAST APPEABANCE OF LATROBB 801

** Lesbia ! Lesbia ! come quickly here," commanded
the Senora in Spanish. " Look well at this young
man. Dost thou recognize him? Is he my boy?
my little TheophUo ? "

Theo stared in undisguised amazement, while, for
a moment, the woman stood like a statue regarding
him. Then she uttered a great cry, and, moving
forward, flung her arms about his neck.

" Yes, my mistress," she exclaimed, also speaking
in Spanish. " He is our boy, our own strong, splen-
did, beautiful boy. All these years have I watched
over him, and now is my task ended, for he is come
once again to his own."

" Wait," commanded Judge Breeze, sharply, lay-
ing a detaining hand on the arm of the Senora, who
also would have sprung forward to embrace her boy.
** Did either of you gentlemen know this woman in
Portsmouth?" he asked, turning to Captain Spioer
and Rawl Fatten.

"I did," answered the latter.

"Then it is only natural that she should now
recognize this young man, having seen him so
recently. But what I want to know is, why has
she not been imposed upon as well as others ? How
can she establish a connection between the infant
whom she nursed here at La Brisa and the young
man who, claiming to have been that same infant,
she discovered in Portsmouth, New Hampshire,
a dozen years later? Can she or any one else

802 BRETHREN OF THE COAST

advance satisfactory proof that they are one and
the same?'*

**I can prove it, Senor/* cried the black woman,
turning upon the Judge with flashing eyes. *^ From
the day of his birth until now I have watched over
him. When first I gave him into his father's arms
and gained my freedom by so doing, I promised
to serve him with my life. At the death of Senor
Danbrisa I was present, and he gave the child into
my keeping. Then I again swore to serve him with
my life and watch over him to the end. Together
we dwelt in La Cavema de Diablo and together we
escaped from its horrors. Then, for a short space
was I separated from my boy; but in Portsmouth
I found him again, nor have I lost sight of him
since. When he sailed away for his own land I
..Ued with hta, and when / W fo, . cerUinty
H that he was about to come here to the place of his

birth I came first that I might welcome him to his
own. Yes, Senores, you have guessed rightly ; for
if I am Lesbia I am also Latrobe."

Thus saying, the woman, with a dramatic gesture,
snatched from her head its snowy turban, and dis-
played the livid scars with which Latrobe had been
indelibly branded at the hands of Diablito.

There is but little more to tell. The proof of Theo's
identity furnished by Lesbia and supplemented by the

testimony of the several witnesses already examined,

i't

LAST APPEARANCE OF LATROBE 303

was 80 flawless as to satisfy even Judge Breeze, who,
the moment Theo was released from his mother's
ecstatic embrace, grasped the young man's hand and
shook it cordially, saying as he did so : —

" Theophilus William, I hereby publicly acknowl-
edge you to be my nephew, and son of my brother
Daniel. From the first I hoped and believed you
would make good your claim ; but, as administrator
of my brother's estate, and a lawyer as well, I was
bound to demand unimpeachable evidence before
yielding to the dictates of my heart. Now, my dear
boy, if, in the past, I have seemed harsh and disa-
greeable, it was only that our future relations might
appear all the more amicable by contrast.

" My friends, who have contributed so materially
to this happy settlement of what appeared a difficult
situation, I invite you, in the name of Mrs. Daniel
Breeze and in that of her son Theophilus, to dine
with us this evening. There are some young ladies
up at the house with whom I believe these young
gentlemen are already acquainted, but who are not
yet aware of the fact that they have a brother."

"And one who came mighty near becoming a
Brother of the Coast as well," remarked Theo, as
with one hand given to his mother, and the other to
his devoted nurse, he turned toward the home that
waited to welcome him.

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