Blackbeard | Page 7

faint cries of this dear babe, whom she soon after discovered, esconced
very comfortably in a large wicker basket. This with its contents was
soon conveyed to my presence, and upon removing the infant from its
place of rest, I found this note attached to its dress.'
So saying, Lady Armstrong handed a letter to her husband, which he
opened, and then read from it as follows:

'To the Right Honorable George Armstrong, Earl of Derwentwater.
Sir: The writer of this, being well aware that your matrimonial union
still remains unblest with children, would earnestly entreat you to adopt
the infant which this accompanies, as your own. If you should see fit to
comply with my request, you can rest assured that no pecuniary means
shall be wanting, to insure to her, if she lives, all the educational and
other accomplishments fitting to your rank, and that to which at some
future day she herself, will be entitled. A draft for the necessary funds
will be punctually placed at your disposal at the commencement of
each year, until those who have a right, shall claim her at your hands. If
you do right by her, you will gain the approval of a good conscience; if
not, you will feel the vengeance of a parent's heart. But I can explain no
farther. Adieu, yours, &c.,
MONTMORENCI.'
After having read the above singular epistle, the earl held a long
consultation with his amiable wife, which resulted in their concluding
to comply with the request of the mysterious writer, to adopt the poor
foundling as their own daughter, and at the same time, they determined
never to reveal to her the secret of her strange advent amongst them. In
accordance with these resolutions a suitable nurse for the young infant
was immediately procured, and when it had reached a proper age, it
was baptized by the name of Ellen Armstrong.
Such kind readers, is a brief description of the person and fortunes of
our heroine, previous to the commencement of our narrative, and now
presuming your generous permission as granted, we shall now proceed
to extend the great chain of events connected with our singular and
romantic history.
As the pirate Blackbeard, uttered in a commanding tone the words
recorded at the close of our first chapter, he pointed with his finger
towards the ship, and as the earl involuntarily turned his eyes in the
same direction, he observed a small brig then about two miles off,
making all sail towards the island, which caused him to say, in answer
to the pirate's words:

'I have looked yonder as you directed me to do, yet I can see nothing
but our own noble ship, and another vessel which appears to be a much
smaller one.'
'If you will have the goodness to look again,' replied Blackbeard,
somewhat satirically, 'you will see that the small vessel gains very fast
upon the larger one.'
'There seems to be nothing very strange or alarming about that,'
answered the earl.
'You may possibly, soon have occasion to entertain a very different
opinion.'
'How so?' asked the earl.
'Because the small vessel appears to be a piratical brig, whose
commander, I am well assured, will not pass a rich Indiaman without
politely undertaking to inspect his inventory and overhaul his cargo,'
replied the pirate.
'I am rather inclined to think,' answered the earl, 'that he will first be
favored through the medium of our guns with an opportunity to
cultivate an extensive acquaintance with the sharks and other monsters
of the deep. Now, sir,' he continued, turning to the pirate, 'we will with
your leave, get as quickly as possible on board of our own ship.'
'Oh, certainly,' replied Blackbeard, 'only, as it appears to me quite
probable, that these two young ladies will be exposed to great danger in
getting on board of your noble ship, I shall claim the privilege of
keeping them here under my protection until I learn the result of the
engagement, which I am sure the piratical commander of the brig is
about to venture upon.'
As the pirate calmly concluded his strange speech, sweet Ellen
Armstrong sank fainting into the arms of Arthur Huntington; and Mary
Hamilton, with a blanched cheek, shrank closer to her uncle's side, as
he thus indignantly addressed the pirate:

'Villain, I command you to leave the presence of these ladies, instantly.'
'Until their safety is duly cared for, I shall not stir from this spot,' coolly
replied the pirate.
'Take your fair burthen to the boat, Arthur,' exclaimed the earl,
impatiently, 'and I will follow you.'
'You may go, but the ladies will remain,' said the pirate decidedly, who
at the same time gave a loud peculiar whistle, and the next moment the
earl found himself and his companions