The Lady and the Pirate

Book Excerpt: ...whispered the pirate captain dubiously, aside."Speak on " again commanded he of the blue eyes. "But your life blood dyes the deck if you seek to deceive Jean Lafitte, or Henry L'Olonnois "(So then, thought I, at last I knew their names.)In reply I reached to my belt and drew out quickly--so quickly that they both flinched away--the long handled knife which, usually, I carried with me for cutting down alders or other growth which sometimes entangled my flies as I fished along the stream. "Listen," said I, "I swear the pirates' oath. On the point of my blade," and I touched it with my right forefinger, "I swear that I pondered on two things when you surprised me.""Name them " demanded Jimmy L'Olonnois fiercely."First, then," I answered, "I was wondering what I could use as a cork to my phial, when once I had yonder Anopheles in it----""Who's he?" demanded Jean Lafitte."Anopheles? A friend of mine," I replied; "a mosquito, in short.""Jimmy, he's crClose...