Yellowstone Jack: Trappers of the Enchanted Ground — page 45: what you’re looking at

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

far “ Your queen—bend your knee when : you address me,” was the angry reply, as a _ the weird woman shook her staff. “Who air you? How’d you find this aie place pee “Hal ha! what would be the use of } #5 being a angen, unless one knew every- ie Sho 0 you now Zenas Kalloch? Kin nt you tell me whar I kin find him ?” eagerly oY -eried Cowles. _ __“Kalloch { Kalloch ! is he a snake, too 2” sows uttered the weird woman, her ) voice Gams me i ste Yes—a pizen snake—tell me quick Y ah ome “ ‘Kneol down there, and kiss the hem 4 ofn my robe; then I will know that you “are a true and. loyal subject. Thero,” “i and she laughed shrilly as the madman _ tremblingly obeyed her, “arise. You . know where tho dead pine stands pt _between three black rocks, up the ‘canyon P” “Yes, yes, I know,” hurriedly muttered af Cowles. “You will find the snake there. I bade him await my coming; but you will do just as well.” Jethro Cowles caught up his rifle and 3 be Ate through the entrance. The weird woman laughed low, but with a peculiar cadence that caused a thrill of vague __ apprehension to creep over the wounded man. Nor was this lessened when the __ strange intruder glided close to his leafy ) zy ouch, paticheng low down with the cat- like movement of a velvet-pawed panther ae es upon its prey. “You are not one of my subjects ; I ie. ‘never saw you before!” she muttered, bi peering keenly into his face. “Ym sure we never met before,” said | rank, with a queer feeling as though the glittering eyes were fascinating him. Z o But is it true what you told him about that man Pe _ “The canyon is full of snakes; he may | find the one he seeks—who "knows ? But, that does not matter. I wanted to Ve ck ‘rid of him without trouble, And i: aed do you think? Because my master does not wish his secrets known. He ih’ bade me tell that man what I did, that 4 he might not witness the sacrifice.” “The sacrifice?” echoed Maynard, ie bewildered. _ Yes; didn’t yoa hear him, my mas- ter, whisper ? He said ‘Send me this i ’ That means, you. Only ‘HOW THE EAGLE KEPL HIS PLEDGE. 43 spirits: can go to him; so I must kill you,’ These words were apeken in a low, even tone. Frank knew not what to think. It seemed like some fantastic dream. But, as the weird woman crouched lower as if for a spring, and the dull glow of the lamp-light fell upon a. long knife, Maynard realized his peril, $ Le, and with a faint cry, strove to arise and — defend himself, The woman sprang upon him, holding» him down as easily as though he had been an infant, while the venomous blade was raised anata his bared chest. “T obey thee, master ; see, | send you the spirit you demanded !” screamed the crazed creature. ‘s CHAPTER XIV. HOW THE EAGLE KEPT HiS PLEDGE, a and gloating expression—this ground, pressing her tightly to his naked chest, and a deep, guttural exclam- ation sounded faintly in her ears as she yielded to a strange, deathlike faintness. HIDEOUS face, with burning eyes much Ada Dixon saw as two powerful arms caught her up from the And with long, loping strides the é savage sped on through the night as though dreading immediate pursuit. On through the hills, winding, turning and twisting like one who seeks to throw a deadly enemy off the scent, the savage passed, never ouce halting until he had ained his mountain retreat. With a shuddering, gasping moan, Ada opened her eyes, half-blinded by the cold water the savage had cast into her face. Brushing the icy drops away, she : glanced hastily around, then shrank back, trembling in every limb. She was rec ining upon a level rocky surface. A small fire burned brightly beside her, faintly revealing the sur- roundings. At her feet crouched an Indian ; a monster, rather. A massive, deep-bronze body, marked with nearly a score scars of bullet wounds and knife-cuts. Long, knotted limbs. Soiled ribbons and well worn plumes decorated the grizzled scalp-lock. The one eye, a white, sightless ball marked where the other had been, was riveted upon her face with a burning, lustful} Eomicbooksseo