The Lady and the Pirate

"Besides, I recalled that your Aunt Lucinda's neuralgia is always

benefited by a glass or so of ninety-three at about ten thirty of the

evening. John!"

"Lessah!"

"Go to the left-hand locker in B; and bring me a bottle of the

ninety-three. I think you will find that better than this absurd

German champagne which I see yon varlet has been offering you, my dear

Mrs. Daniver. But--excuse me----"

Helena looked up, innocently.

"--A moment before there were six empty bottles on the table there.

And I saw you writing. How many have you thrown overboard through the

port-hole?"

"I didn't know you were so observant," replied Helena demurely. "But

only three."

"It is not enough," said I. "Go on, and write your other messages for

succor. Use each bottle, and we shall have more emptied for you, if

you like. You shall have oil bottles, vinegar bottles, water bottles,

wine bottles, all you like. Yon varlet might run across one, floating,

it is true. I hope he will. Methinks 'twould bid him speed. But all in

vain would be your appeal, for swift must be the craft that can come

up with Black Bart now. And desperate, indeed, must be the man would

dispute his right to tread these decks."

"I hope you are enjoying yourself," said Helena scornfully. "Don't be

silly."

"Will you have tea, Helena?" I asked.

"Poor, dear Mr. Davidson!" sniffed Aunt Lucinda, taking a glance out

the port into the black night. "I wonder where he is, and what he will

say."

"I can tell you what he will say, my dear Mrs. Daniver," said I; "but

I would rather not."

"Well, I'll tell you what I say," snorted Aunt Lucinda. "I think

this joke has gone far enough."

"It is no joke, madam. I was never so desperately in earnest in all my

life."

"Then put us ashore at Baton Rouge."

"I can not. I shall not."

"What do you mean? Do you know what this looks like, the way you are

acting, running off with Mr. Davidson's yacht, and this----"

"Yes, madam?"

"Why, it's robbery, and it's, it's, why it's abduction, too. You ought

to know the law."

"I do know the law. It is piracy. Have we not told you that resistance

would be worse than useless? Haven't I told you I've captured this

ship? Little do you know the fate that lies before you, madam, at the

hands of my ruthless men if I should prove unable to restrain them!

And have a care not to offend Black Bart the Avenger, himself! If you

do, Aunt Lucinda, he may cut off your evening champagne."

I heard a sudden suppressed sound, wondrous like a giggle; but when I

turned, Helena was sitting there as sober as Portia, albeit I thought

her eyes suspiciously bright.