Frank Reade Library No. 12: Frank Reade and His Steam Man of the Plains — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

THE STEAM MAN OF THE PLAINS. 21 With a cry of anger, the detective spurred his} Hale fell back to gain breath. healing salve. Let every driver harness his horse forward. Captain Slasher immediately assumed the | to the wagons, and move the train ane h He vainly endeavored to reach the fighting cap- | offensive, and the detective was forced to defend yards west. Lively!” himself from skilull blows. Under his clev and sharp orders were At eve t he was barred bya fi and strugg se aoes chrase ya fying as would he could not reach the man who slain his brother. The 8 ng mass would roll between, and he was fo to strike down those nearest to him ba ae being able to reach his hated 66 p.” The cry came shrilly to the ears of the guide as he gathered his host around the wagons and ordered them to stand by the train. ‘“* Here !” shouted the old man. “Ive me, Bill,” came back to him. ‘‘Come and join us screamers.” “I’m thar!” yelled the old guide. ‘ Boys, that’s a a calling, and the old man has got to go. n't any of you stir from the train with- out my orders.” And then the old scrvamer bounded away. enemy. The men stood firmly by the wagons, while the bullets whistled and sang a d melody over their heads. Not more than thirty feet away from them w @ fierce conflict. © many torches had been thrust in crevices and boughs, ang now shed over the fleld of bat- tly a lurid glare. The detective was vainly striving to reach his enemy. Captain Slasher caught right of the brave little fellow, and seemed to return his warm hatred. He shook his knife in the air, and Hale an- | his f swered the salute of enmity with his broad bowie. They pressed towards each other. Still the surging crowd of men and horses kept whem apart. ‘‘ Do yeu want me?” shouted the captain. “7% your life!” shrieked Hale. ** Come and take it!” said Slasher, and then he seared forward to getclear from his man. he detective worked towards him just as rap- idly, and ina few moments more two brave men met. They glared at each other a moment in deep silence. “I never saw you,” said the aan, seeming to res his foe’s ce. ‘‘Whoare you?” “The brother of the detective you filled with bullets,” said Hale. ‘ Draw your knife.” ‘¢ J will,” said the other; and his weapon flashed in his hand. ‘“ You’re a game eort of a rooster, and I'm glad to meet you. Pitch in, Banty.” Et rushed upon each other. Their opposing blades met with a slash, and the sparks seemed to fairly stream from the steel. Around them the battle raged with unabated fury. The hoarse cries of the wild western boys an- swered the shouts of the Indians. The ordass of the savage chieftains were met by the commands of the two Carters, who were fighting side by side, hewing and cutting like Woevage ells and —_ blasphemi hots vage an phemies, sho and blows, stabs and kicks; the neighing and plunging of the maddened horses ; the mad shouts of their excited riders; all went to makeup a scene that, once beheld, must live for years in memory. Pen cannot do justice to a picture that the | bac artist’s pencil cannot trothfully portray, so the full horrors of the scene can be better guessed by the reader than eonveyed by the writer. The tide of battle was slowly but surcly setting in tow1rd the wagons, and the hardy emigrants, resting on their loaded weapons, awaited im tiently for the moment they should be commanded to fall upon the hated marauders of the plains. The Sared not fire now, for their bullets might as well strike friend as foe, so they were foreed to await the approach of the foe to strike blow for eo with clubbed gun, pistol butt, or glcaming wie. Amid such surroundings as these, Harry Hale and Captain Slasher closed fora deadly encounter. They were both brave men, brave even to reck- | f lessness, and they were both young, strong, and skilled in the use of the blades they wielded. They rather respected each other, for they mu- tually recognized a foe worthy of their steel. - Hale was the smaller man, and much more nimble than his an nist. The detective fairly showered blows upon the outlaw captain, but the latter met his thrusts with a firm and a true eye. At every point Hale endeavored to thrust he was met by the long, heavy blade which was so skillfully bandled by his foe. Blow ‘after blow wee rapidly made, and as rap- were they ; Won the o1 Per of the battle between these two skilled combatants changed. But he was well versed in handling the lo knife, and met the captain with such coolnese an steadiness that he excited the admiration of his larger opponent. ‘‘ You're worthy of my steel and no mistake,” he said, loo admiringly upon the active little detective. ‘‘ Now, mind your eye. I warn you that I am going to try a trick upon you.” Thus warned by his generous enemy, Hale kept his eyes open to eons PUrDCee for he was not one of none people who affect to disregard a word of caution. Captain Slasher steppea back for a moment, and the combatants rested. ‘* Ready,” said the outlaw. ** Ready,” saic Hale. “Then look to yourself,” cried Slasher, and he lea forward. is hand rose and fell with rapid motion, and his flushing blade, ever falling and then rising in the torchlight’s glare, seemed like a wall of steel. He rain brave eoemy: Active and light as he was, Hale had enough to do to ward off the stabs. For fully a minute the hurried, vicious thrusts of the captain were kept back. Nore of the blows reached further than the hilt of the detective’s knife, Suddenly Cuptain Slasher dropped on one knee and made a quick upward thrust for tho heart o @ perfect storm of blows upon his 08. The blow was made before Harry Hale could put himself in a position to guard. The knife was driven upwards with all the force of Captain Slasher’s powerful arm, and it went through the stout fabric like a sharp needle. Harry Hale threw up his arms and fell prone to the stained field. Captain Slasher leaped to his feet and found himself confronted by p Carter. The battle had surged up to the wagons, and the emigrants were now ing fiercely with their foes. **Aha!” yelled Snap. ‘**Qho!” yelled the captain. ‘* At last,” said Carter, clutching his bowie. ‘‘ We'll have it out,” said the captain, his blade drawn back. ‘‘ Mind your eye, old man, for ono of us is got to die!” mM They had been waiting for this shance for some me. They had many grudges against each other, and they were both anxious to wipe out their old They closed with a terrific crash, and their blades seemed to twist and twine like two gleam- np oerpenta. ey fought close up, wrist to wrist, their hot breathing seeming to contend. Suddenly Captain Slasher fell back, and clapped his hands to his side. A flying bullet, perhaps from friend as well as from oe, had struck him, and he felt weak and aint. He knew that he need not look for mercy in the pet rom Snap Carter, so he resolved to guard maelf. ue shouted out a peculiar call as he staggered Immediately his white followers rushed in one compact mass towards bim, and in less than a minute he was protected by a cordon of steel. Snap Carter fought his way out of the bushy throng, striking right and left in bis pecullar and slashing style, and knocking over strong men like ten-pins until he stood near the wagons. Captain Slasher called out to the red chieftans, and a retreat was ordered. It was obeyed instantly, and in a huddled, pell- me}! manner they all rushed off, pret good time through the dark groves as could be made. The emigrants stood by the wagons, but the flre-eaters, the wild westerners under Bill Carter, were anxious to rush off in pursuit ef the flying oc. ‘*Call ’em back, Bill,” said Snap. ‘‘This may be a trick.” 8o Bill Carter ordered them to remain by the train, and thus the red and white flends were enabled to get safely away. Then the two Carters went over the field, try- ing to ascertain the extent of their loss. There were many bloody corpses strewn about the grove, and wounded horses struggied with dying men. Snap Carter gave his orders promptly. ‘‘ Light fresh torches. Hand the wounded men out from under the bodies. Shoot the wounded and dying horses. Bring water to the thirst ones, and carry the disabled to the wagons. Te the women to make bandages of lint and apply done without confusion, and econ the wounded were made as comfortable as was possible the circumstances. The screaming wounded horses receive a merciful release, and soon the train was remeved as Snap bad directed. The guide and his brother were slowly march- ing over the field, giving orders and rendering assistance to the groaning ones they met. ‘* I don't see the little ‘un,” said ** Who?” asked Snap. ‘* My boas.” That little screamer that jumped off his hoss and yilrped in at Slasher?” 66 ea. ‘‘ The last I see of the gritty cuss he was hackin’ away at Slasher.” hope he didn't go under,” said Bill. ‘‘ He was a littic screamer and no mistake. I thor 5nt a heap of that chap, Snap.” 66 u ch obliged to you, I’m eure,” said a voice from the ground. “I hope I shall always merit your good opinion. By the way, have you any Ww y 99 mL Bde sie painenien ce ery pale! to king, arry e lying near and, very pale loo . but evidently not seriously hurt. The detective was resting on his elbow, and looking atthem with asmiie. ‘Whisky |!” cried Bill Carter, springing for- ward and grasping the hand of the detective, * Take the whole flask, you ee e-eock.” Harry Hale smiling! the k and helped himself lberaily me ‘* Now talk,” said Snap Carter. “ How did you happen to get toppicd over?” “T hardly know how,” said Hale. ‘I tackled that Captain Slasher, and we had it hot and heavy for awhile. If{was just about # good equare match for him, and he can’t be all , for he gave me plenty of chance. He even warned me, ae Ale I was pines ine let me rest, when he m ve won the battle by pressing me hard. However, he told me he was going to try a trick upon me, and then he struck fast and furious. I'm good at guarding, and he couldn't touch me when we stood face to face, but he dropped dowa before me suddenly, and made a very rapid up- ward thrust at my heart. The blow knocked me over and took my wind away, and I guees it was only because my watch turned the point of the hnife aside thut I'm alive to tell you the story.” He got upcn his feet as well and as nee ever he was in his life, and Bill Carter, who had ee a fancy to the brave detective, fairly Uu mM. “If he'd killed you, I'd taken his bloed by the drop,” he said. ** If you could have done 80,” said Hale. ‘Let me tell you that Captain Slasher is not exactly an ordinary foe. He's a bold lad to tackle.” The train was once more corraled, and the Ruaris posted, the two Carters declining to 14 on) ned plainsmen for the rest of the t. en the tired travelers turned in to rest, and once more quiet reigned at Three Islands. Ck APTER XXV. “‘ THEY SHALL BE DRIVEN INTO A TRAP.” ABOUT two miles away from Three Islands, in @ moderate-sized grove, were gathered the red and white Brethren of the Plains. Under a tall tree, made plain to the view by flaming pine-knots, lay Cap Slasher. Over him bent the extremely reverenced and most mysterious medicine-man, who frightened by the inventor of the Seam Man of the Plains, the wonderful Mowsher-Abiner. The captain's wound was not serious, but it had taken @ little of his blood, and ho felt a little weak. Mowsher-Abiner, who really was skillful in the use of bandages and ointments, carefully attend- ed to the wounded man, and soon made the out- law captain feel as comfortable as was pessible under the existing state of affairs. The Indians were sitting or lying around fa various attitudes. Some wore smoking, some were taking sly con- solation from whisky-flasks, and others were gambling in the primitive Indian style known as “* five-bones,” a game they lose even theirsquaws . lenyoft hes hi bbers leeping en the fany of the white ro were 6 on sole turf, while others were whiling the hours away with card-playing. There was pot a white member of Captain ee who did not possess one pack of at least. A pack of cards was part and parcel of the COmiIcoooe C S (SO)