The Dragoon Detective; Or, A Man of Destiny — page 26: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

The Dragoon Detective. -——— did not care for that, and springing to the ground said quickly: ‘*Captain, here is Tempest, and he wishes ac- commodations for a few days with you, though you'll have to keep him ironed and in snug quar- ters.’ ‘* Murdock, I am glad to see you, and you are back sooner than I expected. . ‘“Ho, Hannibal, bring a pair of handcuffs and some irons for the ankles here, and take this prisoner to the little cuddy I buiit in the cabin,” sail tue Dragoon. Hannibol appeared, and it did not taka hima mipute tv take the prisoner frum his Lorse and iron him, ‘* Now, captain, I wish you to go with me; but | 4 b Bb ) please lend me oue of your best horses, ancl you will need another fur Miss Conrad,”’ ‘* Ah! she is trea, then?” ‘“*No: but we will soon get her out, though you will bave to carry a horse for her, as not an animal can be gotten from the corral of the Road Raiders. ‘* Her saddle and bridle hang on the corner of her cabin, and no special guard is kept over | her, I am sure.” ‘“Then we can secure her without doubt—in fact, we must.” ‘Yes, captain; but Jet us ride for it at once, and please let Hannibal keep my horseand 'Tem- pest’s out of sight, and watch him close, for he is a terror.” ‘* Hannibal will keep an eye on him, you may be sure.” Five minutes after the Dragoon and Mur- dock rode swiftly away from the cabin, the latter mounted upon one of the fine black horses of the young soldier, while another auimal fol- lowed unled behind, They rode at a sweeping gallop, and held the pace until they reached the spout where Tem- pest had been made prisoner. Here Murdock led, telling the Dragoon that the trail led along the ridge down into the val- ley, and upon the mountain on the other side was the Road-Raiders’ retreat, ‘We will have to leave our horses in tho val- ley, and climb the mountain, for no )rorse can go there; but I got the wsy down es fineas L could during the day, anu [hopeto come out just in the rear of Miss Conrad’s cabin, ‘* 16 will be hard for her to yet down tne rough mountain, but she will not care, I think.” “ Not with freedom as a reward.” “Now, captain, there is something else I wish to tell you.” “Well, Murdock?” **The parson was let off to-day by the chief, to go to Gilt Hdge City aud get his reward for Miss Conrad, undaransom for himself, which Captain Brass very ‘naturally thinks will be paid by the miners, ‘* Now he got in before I did, andas I passed The Barracks coming down, I saw him with a crowd about him. ‘* He’) hardly return before to-morrow after- noon, so you can see bimat The Barracks to- morrow morning, and Vl give you a pointer on him, and Mr, Courad must not let it be known that Miss Conrad has returned. ‘* Tn fact, no one must know it. ‘‘Then I have a little plan on hand by which fam to capture you, and I am coming down in uniform with four begus soldiers to make you prisoner,” and Murdock Jaughingly told his plot, and gave the Dragoon some other informa- tion of importance. After quite a hard ride along the ridge, they descended to the valley, and crossing it, halted at the base of the mountain. A glare on the tree-tops told Murdock where the camp of the Road-Raiders was, for the fires seemed to be still burning brightly. Leaving their horses, and muzzling them, to avoid any mishap frOm a neigh, they began to climb the steep mountain-side, It was a long and hard climh, and midnight ‘had passed before they reached the top and glanced down into the little valley, or glen. The camp-fires were still smoldering in front of several of the cabins, and Maniook “soon . placed the one occupied by Kate Conrad. He hed been a pretty correct guide, for they were nota hundred yards from it, baneacetn their way along through the piled-up rocks and pine thicket that bordered the ridge, ai came to the rear of the cabin, ot a soul was visible in the camp, and they crept cantiously down to it. “I will get the saddle and bridle that hangs around tbe corner, while you knock lightly upon the window-sbntter, ‘* When it is answered, you will have to take the auger tbat L asked you to bring, and bore around the staples that hold the lock and you cen take it out,’ : The Dragoon Bonpee to the window and Mur- dock went around the cabin. In a moment he returned, and he carried Kate’s saddle and bridle. **T will wait for you on the ridge. ‘© Have you knocked?” he whispered. “Yes, and had a response,” was the return whisper. The Dragoon now bored into the shutter, and a dozen holes enabled him to take the staples | holding the padlock out with the piece of wood which he had cut ina circle with the auger. Opening the shutter, he beheld Kate Conrad standing there, ‘** Miss Conrad, I have come to take you home; but you will have to be brave and stand con- | siderable fatigue.” ‘‘Oh, Captain Gaston! have you dared come | here?” ‘“"Sh—-do not speak, but let me aid you from | the window, if you are ready.” ‘* lam all ready.” | He lifted her lightly from the window to the | ground, hesitated, and then drawing his knife | from his belt, caid: ‘*T willleave my card for Captain Brass, for this has my name on it.” Sticking the knife in the window-sill, he took more arm and hastened up to the ridge with er. There stood Murdock, ready to lead the way, ‘‘ Miss Conrad, let me present to you my friend, Matt Murdock, to whom you owe your escape, for be has suffered himself to be maligned and driven from Gilt Edge City to aid you,” said the Dragoon, warily. Kate grasped his hand and said, in a way that meant a world of thanks: ‘“@od bless you, sir.” ‘‘ It was the captain's plot, and I simply car- | ried ib ont, for he could not come here to join the Raiders as I could,’ said Matt, and then he led the way down the steep mountain-side. [twas a Jong and perilous descent; but the Dragoon a era with his strong aim, and at | last the valley was reached, Murdock hastily saddled the horse that Kate was to ride, and mounting, they rode off ata swift gallop. Climbing to the long ridze they dashed along it, aud reaching the Overland trail drew rein. ‘* Hero [ leave you, captain, and you may ex- pect to be arrested, as | explained, within a few days, ‘Regarding the parson you will not forget, and when I get back I expect to bring you valu- able-information. ‘*Goud-night.” So saying he rode rapidly away, while the pogoes and Kate Conrad started for Gilt Edge ity. CHAPTER LI. THER VOW KEPT. ‘Now, Miss Conrad, it is nearly dawn, and I am going to ask you to ride at full speed all the way to your fathet’s home,” said the Darling of Destiny, when be had said farewell to Murdock and turned the head of his horse toward Gilt Idge City. “Tecan stand anything, Captain Gaston; but the poor horses?” ‘* They must stand it. for I wish you to reach home without being seen,” ‘© Very well, sir, [am ready,” was the reply, The two splendid horses, already having been hard ridden, were put isto a ]nug, sweeping run, and they held it, up-hill and down, ‘© Oh, we will kill them,’ cried Kute, in pity. ‘““No; J know what they can stand, ‘* See, they run without urging,” “Yes: but I pity taem.” ‘‘May I ask what you think of your fellow- captive, Parson Prim?” ‘*T do not lke him; but J felt sorry for him, as he was more frightened than [ wag. ‘“The chief made him vow most sacredly to return to him, and sent him to Gilt Edge City to get ransom for our release ” ‘So Dheard from Murdock,” andthe Dragoon told Kate as they flew along the noble part that the young miner had played for her release, and how he had allowed himself to ba driven out of Gilt. Edge City as a comrade of Tempest. ‘‘J¢ shall all be made clear how nobly he served me, and those who looked upon hin as a scam p will be glad to do him honor,” said Kate. It was just getting gray in the eastern sky as the two dashed up to the stockade ga'e near the cabin of Fort Folly. Leaping from the back of his horse, the Dra- oon sprung over the stockade and walked rap- idly to the door. __ A knock brought a response in the voice of Mr. Conrad: ‘Who is there?” ‘The Dragoon, and I Lave good news for you. A cry of joy came from Mrs, Conrad within, and Mr, Conrad snon came to the door. ‘‘T wish the stockade gate key, for I have brought Miss Conrad bome. “Quick, please, for it must not be known yet that she is here.” Mr. Conrad sprung back into the room and seized the key from where it was placed at night, while Mrs. Conrad, who had heard all, bastily began to dress, But the Dragoon was already gone to tho gate, and h ‘ing Kate to dismount, he hastily took the sa. d : and bridle from his hurse and | said: ‘* Please ask your father to carry this in, for I must get home by the time it is daylight— good-by.” Leaving Kate to lock the gate he mounted Trailer and dashed cff,f |iowe:l by Scout, the two animals seeming 10 f «| tant their tremen- dous ride was over, for tLey sped along with renewed energy. In the mean time Mr. Conrad had rushed out to meet his daughter, and bastened with her into the house where she sprung into her mo- ther’s arms. ‘‘ And I have a welcome for you too, Kate, and am so happy to see you home,” cried Sv! vester Vernon, who had been awakened and hastily dressed bimsvlf, Kate greeted him kindly, while he asked: ‘* But how did. you escape?” ‘Ths Darling of Destiny brought me home,” was the quiet response, and a scowl came upom the face of the secretary. ‘“Now I will go to bed, and you all must know it is not to be told that [am home yet, as the Dragoon asked it as a special favor.” ‘*f cannot see why,” petulantly said Vernon. ‘** Nor do I know: but it is his request, and J shall not go against it, ‘Oh! I am so tired, and I'll be content to sleep all day,” and Kate went to her room, while the others returned to their beds, but in a far Jiappier mood than before. In the mean time the Dragoon had gone flying down the valley, and, without secing a human being stirring reached bis cabin, Hannibal arose promptly at his call, and let him in, with theremark: ‘Tam glad to see you home, sir.” “Thank you, Hannibal, and what of your prisoner?” ‘* He's safe, sir.”? ‘Well, [am very tired, so will sleep for sev- eral hours, ‘* Have breakfast at eight, please,” and in ten minutes after the Dragoon was sleeping soundly. But be was up at eigbt, and ofter a hearty breakfast went to the amall room where Tem- pest was kept a prisoner, Seatiug himself in front of him he said: ‘* My man, I have some questions to ask you, ancl I expect the truth.” Ths desperado saw that he had a dangerous man to deal with,and every question asked him he answered, though in a sullen tone. ‘*Thank you,” and the Dragoon went out, mounted a fresh horse and rode to the Bar- racks, CHAPTER LI. TAM DRAGOON AND THE PARSON, WuHen the Darling of Destiny approached The Barracks, he saw that something unusual was going on. There was a sot large crowd gathered there for a week day, when the miners were all sup- posed to be at work, He saw the horses of Mr. Conrad and Sylves- ter Vernon hitched to the rack, and riding up, left his animal near. Then he ascended to the piazza, where his coming was greeted with a shout. Mr. Conrad came toward him, and offered his hand, while Vernon bowed. The landlord also greeted him, and said: ‘¢ We have a surprise for you,” ‘* Indeed?” ‘ Yes, we know where Miss Conrad is, and I sent up to have her father come down.” “Well?” ‘¢ Tbe parson has returned.” (a9 N fa) \” ‘¢ Yes, he arrived last night, and after a wel- come given him by the boys, he told his story: but here he is to tell vou.” The parson now advanced and shook hands ae cordially with the Dragoon, while he said: ‘Oh, my brother, E have been delivered from the hands of the Philistines,” ‘“ Indeed, how was that?” asked the Darling of Destiny. with great interest. “Well, sir, who do you think were the cap- tors of Miss Conrad and myself?’ '“Tjudged that it was Captain Brass, for I followed your trail, which Miss Conrad kindly marked—” ‘* Followed our trail after such a storm?” ‘‘ Yes, Parson Prim, for Miss Conrad kindly mark+d it by dropping a glove, handkerchief, whip. cuff and other little things,” ‘¢ Three cheers for the Lady Gold Dust!” cried a voice. end they were given with a vim, ‘*Qo you knew that we were the captives of the Road: Raiders, captain?” ‘Yes, as [ know that Flush Fred, Darby, Bruiser Bill. and Tempest and Murdock went to. join the Road Raiders.” This created a sensation, and the parson looked puzzled, but he said: ‘Well, captain, they took usto their camp, and Miss Conrad was given pleasant quarters, as was I also. for Captain Brass meant us no harm, his motive being a ransom. “He has a large force, is strongly fortified, and 389 dictates to the citizens of Gilt Edge City.” Pind what does he dictate, parson‘ S GComichoo ——