Show CAPTAIN by charles tenney jackson by b the mcinal conn THE CAPTAIN SYNOPSIS under the name ot of captain Sai Sax arac and disguised jean lafitte former freebooter of ot Bar barataria Bara tarla ataria proscribed returns to the elie city ot of now new orleans lie ho 1 recognized by two ot of ilia his old companions Pa niona alderman dominique and d deluche beluche at the gaming tables lea mazarac has vi won vion on much money from colonel carr british officer john ja jarula via the cites first bohemian bohe of the arts and letters an old time friend alend ot of lafitte tolls tells ot of a womans face ace and smile I 1 CHAPTER I 1 continued 2 the strangers face was all but averted the profile gave the impression of utter obliviousness to the crowded room his english were ere rather passe for the period and the powdered hair above a coat of blue broadcloth his buff breeches and slik silk stockings thrust into low silver buckled shoes gave a quaint distinction to his tall figure the two young men watched his big bronzed hand turning a card under the ruby light after a monier jarvis jap yawned dawned audibly and then a nudge came cam between him and the count de almonaster Al monaster they looked do down upon the short stout form ot of dominique tiro the alderman behind him peered beluche the restless seaman ot of cartagena the artist strolled again to the barroom not even the buzz ot of interest that followed a violent exclamation in ID the card lured him again from his cognac but dominique the alderman had bad started to his tiptoes tiptoed with alth a curious glance at his fellow b buc lie caneer A voice he whispered and stared past the onlookers the british officer flushed with drink and chagrin had bad leaned closer to his opponent do YOU yon question my word sir mr as to the worth of the wench put her upon the block at the rotunda tomor tomorrow rowl 1 she would fetch three thousand dollars at charleston and in inthis this town sir lf it you will find a fairer ono one slave or tree free woman of color or even among its reputed beauties there was a stir the creole gen gentlemen tle glanced at one another darkling langhorne Lang home the consul raised his big hand but mazarac Saz Suz arac had bad answered slowly your pardon sir I 1 did not know the the she abe was a chattel I 1 own no slaves sir nor do I 1 care to wager for one 1 you shall play on sir you have ruined my fortunes on this river voyage and in last nights play I 1 I 1 demand my chance at retrieving you have just accepted my two horses in pledge now then this san domingo girl upon the card sir mazarac gathered tile the ion long rough about his shoulders as it if to arise the consul whispered to the red faced carr the dealer sat back with a glance at the circle of faces aces you cannot leave leare carr cried hoarsely he turned to those behind him Gentl gentlemen emeril Is it customary in new orleans for a loser to be refused any legitimate wager that may reinstate him film there was a murmur it was the code at masseros Ma speros the stranger must list know de morigny whispered ile he has mazarac there the stranger must play I 1 the stranger glanced about carr struck tile the table violently it Is my privilege gentlemen gentle men I 1 A card sirl sir the turn of one card instead of running the deal I 1 no chance then for trickery i 1 the stillness became acute it was a bad word at masseros Ma speros de Mari gily expected the next instant to see the unknown gamester ling fling his glove glore into carrs face but the quiet profile did not change langhorne Lang home clucked in his throat as it if the situation were intolerable as if indeed more portentous things than it i stove slave girl hung on tho the turn of tap card the card then vent on slowly y three thousand dollars on the red against the bond girl taken carr bowed the black will turn gentlemen 1 1 the dealer threw the cards in a semicircle circle across the cloth deliberately but with a flash of his fits white fingers he picked one at random and turned it up it was the ace of beans beart 9 the groups watched wat clied lt it curiously captain gazarene arose threw his cloak higher about his face although the day was warm find and turned to go the dealer at a gesture from him swept the notes and gold upon the cloth into a leather bag tho the groups group 9 broke up with a comment here and there tle the gentlemen by tin the door gave away to the stranger ai ag he advanced colonel carr had started sullenly at tills this abrupt dismissal by LN victorious opponent whatever wild word was upon the ruined mans lips was checked by tile lie consuls muttered warning tin ig but carr too arose following g a pc pace to growl over the crowd lit at t th the d door tile the 1 e girl sir air jr will be at your disposal at the hotel at whatever hour you claim your property proper tyl 1 the stronger stranger bowed out in the drinking room he seemed like one conscious that the eyes of all new orleans men of affairs were upon him just outside the door lie he stopped abruptly in the of the arched courtway of st louis street two squat short figures their heads beads together their arms gesticulating wildly were vainly trying ench each to quiet the other you know it Is I 1 gasped the worthy alderman holding tits hla side by the lordi lord I 1 I 1 am not fooled no no not I 1 shaven as a priest his hair shifted as an english squires muffled by stock find and peru keno no nothing deceives these old eyes of minet thou d d tool fool al silence lencel 1 whispered the swarthy admiral of cartagena la Is there not still a price upon his head on an added price since he b renounced the presidents pardon and involved himself in that affair of oal got veston island spanish english the americans too they would hound him to the gallows 1 the tall cloaked figure was passing twenty paces away the entrance to la bourse de to la maspero was filled with watching burghers and from them all a young man had advanced smilingly in his full skirted green coat and shining white bre breeches erbes held within ilia hla polished lea iles stan boots the young count de almo naster bowed gracefully and extended a hand nil all but hidden by tits lila cuff at the green room of Maspero Ma speros 8 sir none play save those to whom new orleans extends its hospitality if perchance at any time the name of a gentleman could serve in a possible affair I 1 am the grandson of don Alm almonaster Al monaster ormster y roxas 1 I thank you monsieur the stranger extended his own 1 I am captain gaspar caspar mazarac Saz arac recently on service sen ice with the united states explorations in the west he ele shrugged smilingly 1 I thank you monsieur ile he turned and met again two elderly men who stared unbelievingly then the gold laced admiral of cartagena placed hand upon his shoulder behold usi he whispered 1 I beluche and this old dogs of old days and green beast beasl and you the captain jean I 1 the stranger gazed at them ques flonly it may be be mused that after the heat beat Is done I 1 shall take the air upon the levee by the old fort st louis the gentry do not promenade just there I 1 believe before the eyes of the watching burghers at the coffee house bouse lie he sauntered down the cobbles of the rue chartres the tat fat and honest alderman muttered and then ut tit a laugh faugh from the young count he turned burped to sta stare re fiercely at him 1 I shall take the air upon the levee myself sirs smiled raoul no ilo dominique I 1 do not fall fail your captain I 1 CHAPTER II 11 A ship for a pirates Pir atea eye eya it was dusk when raoul de alms almo nosier naster sauntered along the molder moldering log brick parapet of the little pentagonal fort that marked the upper river junction of cf the dismantled city wall with the green most moat bult built to defend the landward side alon along the inner levee face he be presently saw what lie be had come to see the honorable councilor of the city and the resplendent admiral of the republic of cartagena even now fighting for its life against the king 0 men across the caribbean sea the small which marked the hour of retreat eight barked nt at the city hall at once slaves and children soldiers and sailors must be off on the streets of the vieux curre corre the lazy boom of a warship down the crescent bend of the mississippi answered and fol following loIng the sound idly the counts eye noted before the plaza a long black rakish C upper clipper with shining yellow masts new nev sails galls glistening as they hung bung to dry and untenanted decks sweet and clean as a ballroom floor A beauty that Serap hinel he be mused the latest yankee out from boston cannot match her no flu re be luche I 1 slie she roust must make old blood stir in you two adventurers I 1 aye turn your envious eyes aside he started at a step on oil the lie levee the gamester of the bourse do de la Is maspero had come along the dismantled rampart of the fort bowed with a recognizing smile the bronzed cheeks looked even darker below the ilia whited wig his eyes had the level thoughtful humor of the man who laughs behind unread unreadable reserve you may well say monsieur d de Almo noster I 1 have not seen in years a hull so cleanly lined pe de Al monaster glanced at the hand bond upon the he silver sword hilt the th n 0 two rotund respect ables had seen ih the e tall man in buff and broadcloth and were hastening 1 I see gee monsieur retorted he that despite your services gel vices with the american explorations in tho the west you know a ship 1 I have seen the sea monsieur mazarac bowed with a searching glance at the younger man and you an eye eye for a ship Is an eye for a woman I 1 did not expect to meet the count de Al almonaster Alnio monaster naster so go far from the fashionable promenade nor I 1 to ind find captain lafitte so near again to the place darmell dAr dArm esl mazarac studied him gravely your pardon girl I 1 think raoul snapped his lingers fingers laughingly at old dominique puffing up the levee admiral beluche lial had drawn a cutlass in fervent salute to 10 tit till captain tain come ome come gentlemen 1 1 baza voice raised sharply thou jean I 1 whispered donal la in the he acadian patois of the he coast lafatte of barataria Bar ataria come you arl did you think you could trend tread these streets and not be recognized murmured de almonaster Al monaster the two old adventurers crowded around the stranger now I 1 am a man again chuckled dominique and not a clerk drooling over city affairs affair sl 1 and suddenly with art an affectionate gesture he lifted slightly atie abe whited above acs ear raven black the hair tinged with gray the beard shaven droned dronek on old daml the cutlass scar bear concealed which you got from the spaniard at and these arms anna caught you as you fell belll I 1 and tills this cut the fellow down cried Be beluche luclie jean cease tills this fool angil the captain mazarac was laughing in turn his old lieutenants seized ills his hands stroked his sleeve crying out brokenly mazarac glanced keenly at young almonaster Al monaster no fear mumbled the alderman 1 1 I have heard this young gallant say may but yesterday that he would draw sword in any affair if gantte was to ta command I 1 aye for the emperor emperors orl 1 growled beluche the clipper beant did you ever see a finer monsieur montleur girod brought her from charleston new from the waysl the finest teak lacquer tables tapestries smuggled from bilboat all for the fallen emperor t perhaps you have heard my captain captai nr we were saying who so BO worthy to command as captain lafatte fumed famed old dominique eager as a boy did we not young sir mazarac smiled raoul interposed the plot I 1 ali ah yes the p plot lot I 1 they have built it a mansion for him in the rue chartres protested dominique financed the ship not a first family faintly in all louisiana that will not have at least it a midshipman aboard 1 but old bossiere Boss lere to command bah I 1 I 1 would balk at it it if I 1 had bad a skin to risk I 1 you might well with the english ring of ships around st fl helena elena said mazarac gravely well I 1 am lafitte I 1 am at your mercy monsieur I 1 the restless eyes of beluche were upon a trio of officers from th tha a american garrison who came a slowly to aly along the promenade too much balki he muttered since that old affair of yours jean the seizure of galveston island despite the presidents pardon you have long been proscribed bed As to this emperor the devil with him I 1 the seraphine Seraph lne look at her now bowl I 1 Is she a toy for the dandles dandies of this town to play with A ship jean and a good ship eh put in alderman dominique robber in your mind tile the american officers retorted the admiral let us be on tile the yankees murmured baza rac throwing his silken neck scarf higher as the meeting groups saluted courteously when will louisiana be done with this idea that she la in a principality ci aloof from the washington government 7 the yankees gentlemen are here taking your little parts paris they might better have left their manners in the kentucky woods said de Almonn ster and cense cease meddling in the affairs of spain across the so sa bine you yourself sir what Is the feeling in the west stopped to look over the darkening river it Is a far rond road to washington in the ohlas there Is gossip A new republic to be carved from the wilderness the spanish pro inces to be seized and among the discontented spirits are the exiled rles fr from om the canadas and the agents of his british majesty Mn jesty ever hatchl watching n g with jealous eyes you saw sir the affair of yesterday at masseros Ma Mo speros colonel carr who came with you yon down river I 1 connot cannot make his bis mission out as I 1 might wish nor 1 I now ond and then on the packet ile he boasted of curious things filings I 1 recall one night a lady warned him to bile silence nee the indy do Al almonaster monaster smiled tonight I 1 claim my wager ger from colonel carr TU UK JUN |