Yellowstone Jack: Trappers of the Enchanted Ground — page 42: what you’re looking at

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

A(t) I would have died for her But she went away ; She thought kind to her. sake, and for his. maybe mother called her. ~. I would teach her to be wicked like my- self, perhaps.” _ There was something peculiarly toucli- ing in these words, uttered as they were In a subdued, mournful tone by that strange being, as she sat rocking to and fro, wringing her hands ceaselessly ; and Minnie felt a choking at her throat, as she mastered her terror sufficiently to say: ~ “As you loved your child, by the memory of the mother that loved you, I beg you to have pity upon me; I never did you harm. I would like to ba your friend, and help you if I could. I pray - you let me return to my friends.” ‘“Who are you that begs mercy of me P” abruptly interrupted the weird woman, springing to her feet, her eyes again fill- ing with the fires of insanity. “Ha! I remember, you are one whom my master demanded as a sacrifice? Come, he is all powerful, he must be obeyed!” and she dragged Minnie forward to the edge of the rock, paying no heed to her broken sobs and prayers for mercy. The moon was again hidden behind a cloud, but the madwoman beni far for- ward, ss though trying to pierce the in- tense gloom below. Then she rose erect, and passed one hand across her brow with an impatient gesture. “T can see nothing—he is gone—there is only that hideous serpent writhing around, biting itself with its bruised, bloody head. Master! I am here, ready to obey your will. JI will give way to no more foolish dreams of the dead past. Teli me what to do—ah, thanks, good master! I was afraid you were angered with me. See! here is the sacrifice you demanded; I send her to you—” but the weird woman held Minnie half suspended above the abyss fora moment, without relaxing her iron grip. “Ha! he shakes his head; he points toward the Enchanted Valley; he van- ishes! What does he mean? He rejects the sacrifice, or wishes it at his home. That's it, at his home!” and laughing shrilly, the weird woman flung the help- less girl across her shoulder, and darted from the spot, crossing the rough country with an ease and celerity fairly marvel- ous, avoiding the many pitfalls, as if by instinct. YELLOWSTONE JACK, Minnie was aroused from her stupor y the sound of shrill yells and rifle shots om and as the madwoman dropped her to") the rock, she caught a brief glimpse of the — plain below. She recognised the white — tilted waggons, and knew that friends were almost within reach. She stretched — out her arms with a pitiful ery for help, — for the moment forgetting that the emi- srants were in nearly as great peril as herself ; and then, as the moon hid itself, — the weird woman ceased her mad ravings and again lifted the girl in her arms, © pressing on with unabated speed, despite — the distance she had already traversed. Minnie took no note of the lapse of — time, so utterly prostrated was she, both — irom bodily exhaustion and mental anxiety, At times, when the ground was _ more level, the madwoman set her upon her feet and half led, half dragged her { along, never pausing after leaving the — pinnacle above the attacked waggon- if train until she reached the valley of the’ Boiling Spring, where the unfortunate — trapper, Chavez, had met his death some | hours before. Ao The weird woman dragged Minnie up — to the peculiar curb that surrounded the — spring. and then held her erect upon the edge. The peculiar vapour, the strange — bubbling, hissing noise of the troubled — water fairly aroused the maiden. nm “Tis here that my master declares the sacrifice must be made,’ spoke the old woman, in a cold, stern voice, greatly — differing from the excited tone she had © hitherto used. “This is his favourite place of repose. He comes here when he ~ wishes relaxation from the care and trials | of hisgovernment. He has said that you. must die. There can be no appeal from ~ his decision. Are you ready ?” “Mercy—by the memory of your — mother, mercy !” o “I do not know the name, Iam only © a subject, though aqueen. I can only — obey my orders,” “i The strong hands closed upon the trembling form and raised the maiden — from her feet, holding her poised above ~ the bubbling waters for a moment. Then — the helpless girl was flung into the midst of the Boiling Spring. % A single haif-stitled shriek, a slight Dept 3) a few heavy blows of the — blood-stained staff; then a wild laugh, And the moon hid itself behind a black ~ EComicbooks.com a a ) y | _——— — —- ‘ ’ 4