A Master of Fortune: Being Further Adventures of Captain Kettle Read online

  A MASTER ... OF FORTUNE

  Being Further Adventures of Captain Kettle

  BY

  CUTCLIFFE HYNE

  Author of "Captain Kettle," "The Stronger Hand," "The LostContinent," etc.

  ILLUSTRATED BY STANLEY L. WOOD

  1898

  ATTIRED IN HIGH RUBBER THIGH BOOTS AND LEATHER-BOUNDBLACK OILSKINS. Frontispiece.]

  CONTENTS

  CHAPTER I.IN QUARANTINE.

  CHAPTER II.THE LITTLE WOODEN GOD WITH THE EYES.

  CHAPTER III.A QUICK WAY WITH REBELS.

  CHAPTER IV.THE NEW REPUBLIC.

  CHAPTER V.THE LOOTING OF THE "INDIAN SHERIFF".

  CHAPTER VI.THE WIRE-MILKERS.

  CHAPTER VII.THE DERELICT.

  CHAPTER VIII.To CAPTURE AN HEIRESS.

  CHAPTER IX.A MATTER OF JUSTICE.

  CHAPTER X.DAGO DIVERS.

  CHAPTER XI.THE DEAR INSURED.

  CHAPTER XII.THE FIRE AND THE FARM.

  LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

  Attired in high rubber thigh boots and leather-bound black oilskins(Frontispiece).

  He came and stood with one foot on Kettle's breast in the attitude of aconqueror.

  The little army could only march in single file.

  "You insolent little blackguard, you dare to speak to me like that!"

  He picked up the man and sent him after the knife.

  "I'm a British subject".

  Out of the middle of these spectators jumped the mild, delicateHamilton.

  Strangers came up and wrung Kettle's unwilling hand.

  Dedication

  TO CAPTAIN OWEN KETTLE

  My dear Kettle,--

  With some considerable trepidation, I venture to offer you here thededication of your unauthorized biography. You will read these memoirs,I know, and it is my pious hope that you do not fit the cap on yourselfas their hero. Of course I have sent you along your cruises under thedecent disguise of a purser's name, and I trust that if you do recognizeyourself, you will appreciate this nice feeling on my part. Believe me,it was not entirely caused by personal fear of that practical form whichI am sure your displeasure would take if you caught any one putting youinto print. Even a working novelist has his humane moments; and besidesif I made you more recognizable, there might be a more dangerous brothstirred up, with an ugly international flavor. Would it be indiscreet tobring one sweltering day in Bahia to your memory, where you made playwith a German (or was he a Scandinavian?) and a hundredweight drum ofgood white lead? or might one hint at that little affair which madeOdessa bad for your health, and indeed compelled you to keep away fromBlack Sea ports entirely for several years? I trust, then, that if youdo detect my sin in making myself without leave or license your personalhistorian, you will be induced for the sake of your presentrespectability to give no sign of a ruffled temper, but recognize me aspart of the cross you are appointed to bear, and incidentally remembermy forbearance in keeping so much really splendid material (from mypoint of view) in snug retirement up my sleeve.

  Finally, let me remind you that I made no promises not to publish, andthat you did. Not only were you going to endow the world with a book ofpoems, but I was to have a free copy. This has not yet come; and if, foran excuse, you have published no secular verse, I am quite willing tocommute for a copy of the Book of Hymns, provided it is suitablyinscribed.

  C.J.C.H.

  OAK VALE, BRADFORD, June 27, 1899.