Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 320

1883 · 16 pages

This issue of *Beadle and Adams' Half-Dime Library* (September 1883) features "The Sea Sorceress; or, Lieutenant Ned, the Boy Skipper" by Jack Farragut, a companion to his earlier tale "Ned, the Cabin Boy." The narrative, set on the Maine coast during the War of 1812, centers on revenge and moral reckoning. An old beacon-tender at the Haunted Fort—a desolate former military fortification—harbors murderous intent toward Judge Elmore and his son, Lieutenant Ned, whose approaching ship signals for guidance through dangerous reefs. The judge, meanwhile, suffers guilty presentiments about crimes from his past: he hired an assassin to kill his half-brother and stole family wealth. As the judge anxiously awaits his son's safe passage, the beacon-tender plans sabotage, intending to use false lights to wreck the vessel and kill not only the judge's son and bride but innocent crew members. The tale combines gothic elements (the haunted fort, the witch Elsie) with maritime adventure and melodramatic moral conflict.

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