Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 1063 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

4 \ @ small to seek for gold, you alone shall escape! The others shall die amid these Hills! Fly, fly, while there is time and opportunity !” It was not a trick of his imagination—he plainly and distinctly heard the words, He started up, gazing around, but he saw no living person. ‘‘Great Heaven!” he gasped. ‘* Who was it that spoke? Some one who knows my name! - What is the meaning of this?” Once more he heard the voice: ““Be warned! Fly from this gorge as you would fly from death itself! There is nothing but misfortune for those who come here—mis- fortune and death!” His teeth came together with a click, ‘‘ All right,” be muttered. ‘“‘Il am getting to think that way myself, and I am ready to leave this place just as soon as I can get out,” He no longer remained crouching behind the rocks. He felt sure the reds would not venture back into the Gulch, for they had seen quite . enough to make them think the wrath of the Great Spirit fell on those who penetrated the dark depths. Ned swung himself down to the bottom of the Gulch. There he hesitated a moment, but there was but one course for him to follow. He could not go out by the valley where the cabin had stood, so he turned the other way. Passing the rockers, he hurried into the shad- ows of the uncanny gorge. On and on he went, taking little heed of his surroundings, He did not note the flight of time, but it was sunset when he left tie dark Gulch, Out among the Hills he breathed more freely, but he knew not which way to turn. His situa- tion was more desperate than he dreamed, for be did not even have his rifle with which to provide for his hunger. Such game as he secured, he would have to bring down with bis revolvers, And bis horse was gone. How was he to get out of the Hills and make his way to the settle- ments? That was an unanswerable question just then. Darkness came down and found Ned wander- ing aimlessly. He hardly knew what to do when he realized night was fairly upon him. ‘* If Bill was with me now, everything would be all right,” he thought. ‘*He is used to an kind of life in this part of the country, aud, with him, I should not feel so completely lost and adrift,” Then the thought came to him that he ougbt to return to the valley, where his comrades had been murdered and bury them, But be knew he could not reach the ill-fated spot that night, for he knew not which way to turn. At length, he decided to seek a secluded spot somewhere, and attempt to get some sleep, With this 2 view, he found his way down into pocket, “All at once, he detected the glimmer of a light not far away. ** Indians!” That was his first thought, and his impulse tery » Fecha eae Sone But Ned’s nerves vox ; yond his control, and he compel- led himself. to creep slowly and cautiously for - ward, instead of retreating, Not a noise did he make as he stole toward the glimmering fire. He had decided to satist'y himself if the parties near it were really red- skins. He had little hope of their being whites, for the country was not a “healthy” one for pale-faces. | Even though they were white men, they might be the ones who came down on Big Bruno and claimed the placer in Moaning Gulch, He ight have unwittingly discovered the horse- eves. At Rag’ the murmur of voices came to his ears, and he was soon able to tell that the speak- ers were really white men, Of course this discovery gave him hope, but he was not foolish enough to rashly e him- 8elf without learning something of the men by fire, ‘Tn a little while he had obtained a position he could see them, as they were exposed by the flames. He could also hear a part of their conversation, and this was, the first that Ke Brent Bat, I should think you would be , Dat, shou afraid this fire would bring the reds down on us, You know they can smell smoke, even when they are not able to see a Jight.” ed could scarcely believe the evidence of bis eal's and eyes, Was it possible, or was it a trick of the imagination? Could that be Big Bruno? Yes, there was no doubt about it. The fire- fight fell fairly on his face. It was the dark- 2 Wild Bills Weird Foe. faced giant whom Ned had to this moment be- lieved one of the red-skins’ victims. How came the big fellow there? Ned asked hiwself the question in vain. He could think of no probable way of Big Bruno’s escape from the red-skin horde, That he was not a friend of the savages was apparent from tae question he ad- dressed to his companion. Ana that companion— The youth gave a gasp of astonishment. Were there two Big Brunos? No, that was impossi- ble; but certainly the two men were brothers. That was the true explanation, Big Bruno and Black Bat were brothers. Bruno had believed his brother Bat dead, for it had been reportec he was lynched in Texas by Vigilantes, But the story was not true, although Bat certainly deserved lynching if ever border desperado merited such fate. Bat was known as a “killer,” and he had the blood of mary a man on his hands. Unfortu- nately for his good name, he had almost always killed honest men, instead of confining his desire for shedding blood to those of his own class. It happened that Phil Cole had once done Bat Bradstone a favor, and Bat swore by Cole from that time on, When he heard Wild Bill had killed Cole in Abilene, Kansas, while attempt- ing to arrest bim, Cole being on a drunken ram- page, Black Bat swore he would have Bill’s life, if they ever mef, It happened that Big Bruno also secretly hated Bill, although he had no good reason for doing so. Even before be knew his brother was still living, he had played a trick on Bill, know- ing the Pistol King was of a very superstitious nature, lrefer to the finding of the knife and the warning signed by the “ Black Witch.” Bruno bad found the warning pinned to the cabin door ya the dagger, and he had taken possesson of i In order to puzzle Bill still more, Bat had fastened the warning to the interior of the cabin during the night, and the scout had found it in the morning. It had really seemed a marvelous thing that the dagger and warnin ee their way into the securely fasten cabin, But Big Bruno’s most darin ed in connection with the stealing of the horses. When he fonnd his brother Bat was still alive and heard from Bat’s lips how he hated Wild Bill, Bruno readily agreed to work against the man who trusted him as a pard, The loss of the horses would bea terrible blow, for on the animals they depended in getting out of the Hills, soit was decided to get away with them, At the same time, Bruno wished to remain in the confidence of the men against wbom he was turning traitor. He knew how shrewd Wild Bill usually was io detecting a cheat, and he felt that no ordinary cock and bull story would be accepted, Then he carried into execution a daring plan. He knew exactly where to inflict a small cut on his head so it would bleed profusely, and this he did, smearing, his face with the blood, Then he bad his. brother bind his bands and feet and arrange.a gag so he could slip it into his mouth when he beard Bill and bis pards approaching. The reader knows how well the plan worked. Mexican Pete took the horses in charge, promis- ing to cover their trail and then return with them to his comrades, They never saw him again! Just what happened to the Greaser was never known, but it is pretty certain he considered the horses booty enough for him, and he resolved to get away with them. Possibly he found bim- self tracked by .red-skins and deserted the animals, only to perish amid the Hills. If Big Bruno was not cieeng “ese by his com- panions he was to flash a light at the cabin window three times, and the signal would be answered from the crest of the slope fifteen Th big Jad did not find good e udas did not a ve op- papas J to carry out his plans of s gnaling, ut be made bold to do it before some of the very ones be had betrayed, Twice the breeze blew the light out, and for the third time be closed the window. A short time later he went outside to see if the — had been seen and were answered, ervy Ned saw the answer, After the quarrel with Crab Zeb, Bruno re- solved to bavea talk with his brother and lay future plans, That was why he took bis rifle and strode away, as if furiously angry. And in that manner, he saved his scalp, Nervy Ned gazed in wonder at the two failing to notice a third figure beyond the fire. trick was work- * t.-~ ><> Sen ST penal Ee TT 13 ‘“‘T scarcely think the reds will detect us here,” answered Black Bat. ‘If they do—” “Well, what then?” ‘*We should lose our scalps,” said Revolver Ray, arising to bis feet. Then came the greatest surprise of all for Nervy Ned. Accry of wonder broke from his lips, Did be see a spirit? The three men heard that cry and their hands fell on ready weapons, The next moment Ned appeared within the circle of firelight, and the two younger men were face to face, ‘* Seba Rankin,” shouted Ned. The Revolver Sharp drew back, ‘Yes, Iam Seba Rankin,” he acknowledged.. “And you—” **T am Bert Wyndal.” ** Impossible!” “Tt is true.” ‘* Bert Wyndal is dead!” ‘No, I still live. But I thought you dead, for I saw you fall, Even now it does not secu: pos- sible you are aliv-: Let me grip your band, ol? schoolmate, to make sure [ xm nut deceives!” : But Rankin would not accept the proffered and, ‘‘There is no mistake,” came coldly from his lips. ‘*Ilam here in the flesh, but you are the last person I expected or hoped to see,” ; Ned recoiled, a look of astonishment on bis ace, ‘* 'W bat— what are you saying?” he stammered, “* Is it necessary to repeat?” ‘*T am not sure I[ heard arigbt.” ‘“*T think you did, unless there is something the matter with your ears. I tried to make it plaiu I believed you dead and hoped you were. That is the straight unvarnisbed truth.” ‘* But, Seba, we are old schoolmates—friends!” “No!” cried the Revolver Sharp, his face bee traying tbe hatred in his soul—‘‘ not friends— deadly foes!” **Ts it you?” CHAPTER XV. TRICKED BY THE WITCH, THE words were like blows, and before Ned could recover, he was grasped behind and flung to the ground. ‘“‘That is right!” nodded Revolver Ray, or Seba Rankin, as he will hereafter be called, ‘* Make him secure.” The three men flung themselves on the un- lucky youth, and he was soon bound hands and feet, despite his struggles, ‘*Cowards! Traitors!” he cried. But they only laughed at him. ‘IT thought the reds bad wiped you out,” said Big Bruno; ‘‘ but it seems you escaped them.” **And I thought they had wiped you out, Plainly, it would have been better for the coun- try if they bad.” The big fellow scowled, then laughed again, He could afford to be merry just then, he thought. ** That is the way you look at it.” ** You are a traitor!” “That is a harsh word,” ° ‘* But it is true.” **Not exactly. You see, this gentleman here is my brother, and a man should always stand by his brother, He claims to be the original discoverer of the placer in Moaning Gulch, so I bave decided to withdraw in his favor, You other people are in the way, since he has taken me in as a partner, The red-skins were very kind in disposing of Old Zeb and that fool Gin- ger Jack, You have fallen into our hands, and it only remains to dispose of Wild Bill. ‘Leave him to me!” grated Black Bat, “TI will finish him!” “Thus, you see, my young friend, another party has been formed to work tbe placer, and you have no further interest in it.” : Ned, or, properly Bert, for it is best to drop his fictitious name at this point, could make no reply. He fully understood what a dastardly creature Bruno Bradstone was, and the thought came to him that poor blustering Ginger Jack was a king beside the man. He fancied Jim the traitor, but he now understood his mis- e. It was not strange the captive youth should be somewhat dazed by the turn things bad taken. He had believed Kankin dead, but the man lived. In the past they had been friends, though rivals; but now Rankin declared they were ge foes, Tbe captive was unceremoniously dragged to a place where be could sit with bis back against a tree, then, after casting some more wood on the fire, Seba Rankin came and crouched before his old schoolmate, f comicbooks é aS mG », “a be See o~—