Author Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1906 edition. Excerpt:...Ach! cease! Their time is coming soon. Already fever decimates their ranks And graves are growing on Kyrenia's slopes. My son! come swear by any god you know To stand by old Katergi. Vengeance I shall have, Secret, but sure and swift. Those Infidels Who tracked me with their Wasp, and caged me here Till rheumatism creaks in every joint, Shall feel, if we escape, Katergi's power. Carlos. No cause have I to love my countrymen, Who pay to gold the homage due to Heav'n. My father brought me up to dote on wealth, For he was poor, and honour could not buy Within a realm where poverty is shunned. Five years I was indentured to his friend--A brute--who paid me such a wretched wage As would not feed his hunters for a year. I fell in debt, and in my dire distress I forged a cheque for eighty English pounds. The truth came out before I could repay. The wretched hound was obdurate as death. He threatened prison, and I ran away--Disguised my name and self, and took a post As sailor on a vessel bound for Greece. You know the rest. I am a pirate now. Kat. Ay, lad! a damned good pirate too. Now swear! Carlos. I love your Hy, and by my love I swear To be a son to you, my second father. (Enter Sentry, Yacoub, and Anki, with Recknaught and Thorne in oil-skins and sou 'westers from the right front.) Sentry. There! warm yourselves while I look out for food. (Exit Sentry (lighting a candle) up an incline on opposite side of Hall (right back), Recknaught and Thorne take off their oil-skins. Carlos recognises Recknaught, and whispers earnestly to Katergi. He then lies down with his face to the wall.) Kat. You've had the devil's luck, messmates. Thorne. The very devil's. Kat. Sit down and toast ye--Anki, coffee, quick! (Exit Anki.) What place is this? And you and...