human
Yes, look at me well, young lady. I presume you never saw an outlaw with a price upon his head before. Is it to curiosity alone, or is it to some concealed deformity, that I am indebted for that piercing scrutiny?
gpt
No, you're not the only outlaw with a price upon his head I have ever seen. I have just had the honor of holding an interview with one; though, really, I don't think his head is worth a price above ten cents, if that. I suppose I have the sublime happiness of beholding his mightiness, the commander-in-chief of all the smugglers?
human
Even so! I have returned, you perceive, sooner than was expected; in fact, solely upon your account. I heard you were here, and came to see you.
gpt
Indeed! Well, I hope you like me?
human
Most decidedly, said the outlaw, passing his hand caressingly over his whiskers;
gpt
Well, you'll greatly oblige me by doing nothing of the sort, said Pet.
human
I have had enough of love to last me for one while. Love's not the pleasantest thing in the world, judging by what I've seen of the article; and with the blessing of Providence, I'm going to have nothing whatever to do with it. May I ask the name of the gentleman whose prisoner I have the unspeakable happiness of being?
gpt
Certainly. I am called, for want of a better, Captain Reginald.
human
Captain Reginald what? That's not a whole name.
gpt
Never mind; it serves the purpose, and it's the only one I believe I ever had a right to. I am afraid you find the solitude here rather irksome--do you not?
human
Well, Captain Reginald, to be candid with you, it's not to say a place where a body would like to spend their lives. There's no danger of one's growing dissipated here, or anything that way, you know--which is, of course, an advantage. And now, might I ask who the gentleman is who has put himself to the very unnecessary trouble of having me carried off? All the rest seem to be dumb on the subject, from some cause.
gpt
I fear I will have to be dumb, too, my dear young lady; the gentleman who has shown his good taste by falling in love with you does not wish to be known at present. Can you not guess yourself?
human
Haven't the remotest idea, unless it be Rozzel Garnet, or Orlando Toosypegs?
gpt
No--neither! Garnet, of course, brought you here, but he was paid to do it by another--we outlaws do anything, from murder down, for money. As for Toosypegs, or whatever the name may be, I haven't the pleasure of knowing him; but I can assure you it is not he.
human
Well, then, I give it up. I never was good at guessing, so I'll not bother my brain about it. Is it high treason to ask how long I am to be cooped up here in this under-ground hole?
gpt
Perhaps a fortnight, perhaps longer.
human
Vipers and rattlesnakes!--two whole blessed weeks!--whew! Well, Mr. Captain, all I have to say is that I'll be a melancholy case of 'accidental death' before half the time, and then I wish your patron, whoever he may be, joy of his bargain.
gpt
We will hope for better things, my dear young lady. By the way, I have not heard your name yet--what is it?
human
Pet Lawless--better known to her unhappy friends as 'Imp, Elf, Firefly, Nettle, Pepperpod,' and many other equally proper, appropriate and suggestive names. 'Queen regent and mistress imperial to all the witches and warlocks that ever rode on broomsticks,' and leaves a large and disagreeable circle of friends to mourn her untimely loss. _Requiescat in pace._
gpt
Lawless! he exclaimed.
human
I did not think--do you know Judge Lawless of Heath Hill?
gpt
Slightly acquainted. They say I'm a daughter of his,
human
His daughter? Young lady, are you jesting?
gpt
Well, I may be--quite unintentional on my part, though; if it sounds funny, you're perfectly welcome to laugh at it till you're black in the face. What was it?
human
You Judge Lawless's daughter?
gpt
Nothing is certain in this uncertain world, Captain Reginald. I've always labored under that impression; if you know anything to the contrary, I am quite willing to be convinced.
human
Young lady, I wish you would be serious for one moment, said the smuggler, knitting his dark brows.
gpt
If you are his daughter, there has been a terrible mistake here. Did not Rozzel Garnet live at Heath Hill for some years as the tutor of Miss Lawless?
human
Yes, sir, and he was sent about his business for wishing to teach her some things not laid down in the books.
gpt
Then he would know you at once. Oh! it's impossible you can be Miss Lawless.
human
Very well, if it affords you any consolation to think so, you are perfectly welcome to your own opinion. Who am I then?
gpt
You were mistaken for, or rather you ought to be, a young lady, a celebrated beauty who lives in a cottage somewhere on the heath.
human
What! Erminie?
gpt
I really do not know the name. Is it possible you are not the one?
human
Well no, I rather think not. Though I may not be Pet Lawless; and as you say I'm not, I won't dispute it--but I most decidedly am not Erminie Germaine.
gpt
Erminie who?
human
Germaine. Perhaps you object to that, too.
gpt
Pardon me; the name is-- He paused and shaded his fine eyes for a moment with his hand, then looking up, he added:
human
She was the one who was to be brought here; if you are really Miss Lawless, then there has been a tremendous mistake.
gpt
Humph! it seems to me to have been a mistake all through. I shouldn't wonder the least if it turns out to be some of Master Garnet's handiwork. So they wanted to carry off Erminie? Now, I'm real glad I was taken, if it had saved Minnie. It appears to have been a pretty piece of business, from beginning to end.
human
I shall put an end to this mystery, said the captain, starting up and going to the door.
gpt
Marguerite, he said, lifting the screen,
human
He has gone, replied the voice of the woman.
gpt
He went away the moment you entered the room.
human
Sold! cried Pet, jumping up, and whirling round like a top in her delight.
gpt
He has taken you all in--made April-fools of every mother's son of you! Carried off me, Pet Lawless, for Erminie Germaine! He knew he would be discovered, and now he has fled; and when you see last night's wind again, you will see him. Oh! I declare if it's not the best joke I have heard this month of Sundays!
human
The dark-blue jacket that enfolds the sailor's manly breast Bears more of real honor than the star and ermine vest; The tithe of folly in his head may wake the landsman's mirth, But Nature proudly owns him as her child of sterling worth.
gpt
Clear the track! off we go! whip up old lazybones there, and don't let him crawl on at that snail's pace! That's more like; now for it, at five knots an hour! It's pleasant to see the old familiar faces again, after knocking about in strange ports for half a dozen years--don't you think so, messmate?