Captain Boldheart & the Latin-Grammar Master, Page 2

close confinement.

  Boldheart now took his mother down into the great cabin, and asked afterthe young lady with whom, it was well known to the world, he was inlove. His mother replied that the object of his affections was then atschool at Margate, for the benefit of sea-bathing (it was the month ofSeptember), but that she feared the young lady's friends were stillopposed to the union. Boldheart at once resolved, if necessary, tobombard the town.

  Taking the command of his ship with this intention, and putting all butfighting men on board The Family, with orders to that vessel to keep incompany, Boldheart soon anchored in Margate Roads. Here he went ashorewell-armed, and attended by his boat's crew (at their head the faithfulthough ferocious William), and demanded to see the Mayor, who came outof his office.

  "Dost know the name of yon ship, Mayor?" asked Boldheart fiercely.

  "DOST KNOW THE NAME OF YON SHIP, MAYOR?"]

  STANDING SENTRY OVER HIM]

  "No," said the Mayor, rubbing his eyes, which he could scarce believewhen he saw the goodly vessel riding at anchor.

  "She is named the Beauty," said the captain.

  "Hah!" exclaimed the Mayor, with a start. "And you, then, are CaptainBoldheart?"

  "The same."

  A pause ensued. The Mayor trembled.

  "Now, Mayor," said the captain, "choose. Help me to my Bride, or bebombarded."

  The Mayor begged for two hours' grace, in which to make inquiriesrespecting the young lady. Boldheart accorded him but one; and duringthat one placed William Boozey sentry over him, with a drawn sword andinstructions to accompany him wherever he went, and to run him throughthe body if he showed a sign of playing false.

  At the end of the hour, the Mayor re-appeared more dead than alive,closely waited on by Boozey more alive than dead.

  "His lovely Bride came forth"]

  "Captain," said the Mayor, "I have ascertained that the young lady isgoing to bathe. Even now she waits her turn for a machine. The tide islow, though rising. I, in one of our town-boats, shall not besuspected. When she comes forth in her bathing-dress into the shallowwater from behind the hood of the machine, my boat shall intercept herand prevent her return. Do you the rest."

  "Mayor," returned Capt. Boldheart, "thou hast saved thy town."

  The captain then signalled his boat to take him off, and steering herhimself ordered her crew to row towards the bathing-ground, and there torest upon their oars. All happened as had been arranged. His lovelybride came forth, the Mayor glided in behind her, she became confusedand had floated out of her depth, when, with one skilful touch of therudder and one quivering stroke from the boat's crew, her adoringBoldheart held her in his strong arms. There her shrieks of terror werechanged to cries of joy.

  Before the Beauty could get under weigh, the hoisting of all the flagsin the town and harbour, and the ringing of all the bells, announced tothe brave Boldheart that he had nothing to fear. He therefore determinedto be married on the spot, and signalled for a clergyman and clerk, whocame off promptly in a sailing-boat named the Skylark. Another greatentertainment was then given on board the Beauty, in the midst of whichthe Mayor was called out by a messenger. He returned with the news thatGovernment had sent down to know whether Captain Boldheart, inacknowledgment of the great services he had done his country by being aPirate, would consent to be made a Lieutenant-Colonel. For himself hewould have spurned the worthless boon, but his Bride wished it and heconsented.

  Only one thing further happened before the good ship Family wasdismissed, with rich presents to all on board. It is painful to record(but such is human nature in some cousins) that Captain Boldheart'sunmannerly cousin Tom was actually tied up to receive three dozen with arope's end "for cheekyness and making games," when Captain Boldheart'slady begged for him and he was spared. The Beauty then refitted, and theCaptain and his Bride departed for the Indian Ocean to enjoy themselvesfor evermore.

  "CAPTAIN BOLDHEART'S LADY BEGGED FOR HIM AND HE WASSPARED."]

  THE END.

  * * * * *

  THE ORANGE TREE SERIES OF CHILDREN'S BOOKS

  FULLY ILLUSTRATED IN COLOUR, 1s. net. Foolscap 4to, boards

  * * * * *

  1. THE STORY OF RICHARD DOUBLEDICK. By Charles Dickens. Withillustrations by W. B. Wollen, R.I., R.O.I.

  2. THE MAGIC FISHBONE. By Charles Dickens. With illustrations by S.Beatrice Pearse.

  3. THE TRIAL OF WILLIAM TINKLING. By Charles Dickens. With illustrationsby S. Beatrice Pearse.

  4. CAPTAIN BOLDHEART AND THE LATIN-GRAMMAR MASTER. By Charles Dickens.With illustrations by S. Beatrice Pearse.

  THE WONDER BOOK

  By Nathaniel Hawthorne. With Coloured Illustrations by Patten Wilson.

  5. THE GORGON'S HEAD6. THE GOLDEN TOUCH

  _The above are ready. The following are in active preparation._

  7. THE PARADISE OF CHILDREN 8. THE THREE GOLDEN APPLES 9. THE MIRACULOUS PITCHER10. THE CHIMAERA

  TANGLEWOOD TALES

  By Nathaniel Hawthorne. With Coloured Illustrations by Patten Wilson.

  11. THE MINOTAUR12. THE PYGMIES13. THE DRAGON'S TEETH14. CIRCE'S PALACE15. THE POMEGRANATE SEEDS16. THE GOLDEN FLEECE

  LONDON: CONSTABLE & COMPANY, LIMITED

  * * * * *