Old Shadow Shot — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

4A RETURN TO PLUNDER. The ranger’s lips closed:-madly behind the last words. “T thought I could rely on my men,” Rough said. ‘“ When they deserted me, I, of course, could not contend with the bandits aione.”’ “Did you, cap’n?”’ taunted the ranger, a merry gleam in his dark eyes. “ How about thet hand-shaking thet took place at the train, an’ why was the waggons allowed to go on? Thar’s a leetle explanation wanted on this partic’lar pint, capn. What d’ye say to it?” The man in the toils saw that prevarica- tion would effect nothing with the ranger, so he said: “Tn Captain Dave I unexpectedly found an old acquaintance, who permitted me to proceed. I did not know he was in these arts.” Z “T did,” said Shadow-Shot, significantly. “An old friend, eh? Friends yet, cap’n?” “That must depend upon circumstances.” “Jest so. Now for the next question. Who is thet youngster ?” “My nephew.” “Cap'n, that is what I call a lie.” Rough flushed indignantly. “T know a little more than you think, Rough, but I’ve done with you at present, so you kin go back to the train, I guess. We'll not settle accounts now. But the time is comin’ when more’n one will be settled in these woods.” The train Why, it was lumbering through the forest several miles to the north. Cap- - tain Rough had deserted it. Would he return ? “T don’t want you hangin’ around me!” the ranger cried, seeing the man hesitate. “Go back to your comrades.” “My train is far away, and my horse is dead.” “You may be thankful thet your own skull hasn’t got a hole in it. The best thing you kin do, cap’n, #s to go south, an’ keep on goin’ until you git to the end of it. This isn’t a healthy kentry fur such people as you, an’ while I make my home hyer, it are likely to stay thet way. Ill take care of your friend, Cap'n Dave.” _ Captain Rough, who should have thanked the ranger for sparing his life, grated his teeth, and looked sullenly north. As far as sight could reach, he saw the forest stretching in unbroken grandeur. The woods of Wisconsin were new to him ; but he was not a novice in woodcraft. “Well, then you kin stay hyer, an’ go when you git ready!” blurted the ranger. “Tm goin’. No follerin’, cap’n, fur my old gun shoots back’ards as well as for’ards.” The ranger now stepped back, and moving 13 | quite rapidly away, left Captain Rough alone in the forest. | The trees soon hid him from his sight. Captain Rough was a man of iron will. He had a purpose in view, and to carry it out was his fixed intention. He did not stir until the ranger had passed entirely from sight. He let half am hour elapse before, with that doggedness that sometimes courts death, he threw himself upon Shadow-Shot’s trail. The light increasing as he advanced, showed him the forest; it made the trail of the gaunt ranger as plain as the captain could desire. He believed that it would lead him to Nightingale Nat, for Shadow-Shot was no doubt acquainted with the paths of the wilderness, while, to him, they were, as yet, bordered with mystery. | There came all at once a sound from the south-west that startled the ruffian leader of the train. He quickly threw himself behind a tree, and saw a number of horsemen—white men and Indians—come suddenly into view. “The Vultures again!’ the ejaculated, recognising the party. “They're following the train. They'll slaughter every one of them.” : On came the bandits, unconscious of the captain’s presence. They threatened to ride him down; but all at once they veered to the right and left him undisturbed captain - “Go!” he exclaimed, looking after them. ‘““May never a one of you come back. Ha! there’s another train which will not reach the mines.” Fast upon the utterance of the last word a startling sound came to Rough’s ears. His eyes were still fixed upon the horse- men, and he saw one throw his hands up wildly, and pitch headlong from the steed. “That’s sudden!” the captain said. “I want a little warning before I go. Who did that? It wasn’t Shadow-Shot, for he’s ahead. Bless me! if a man is safe five minutes at a time in these parts.” He crouched lower among the bushes that surounded the root of the tree, for the bandits had drawn rein, and were looking to- wards him. | What if they should discover his figure, and with cries of vengeance for the blood just ae swoop down like eagles of death upon im Captain Rough held his breath and drew the hammer of his rifle slowly back. All hopes of catching Nightingale Nat ere at that moment to vanish from his eart | : comleloolks