Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 1063 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

| A a A 4 Ey “Well, I would like to know what that means!” muttered the young man. ‘“‘If that was not meant for a sigaal of some sort, what was it?” Although he kept his eyes on the. place where the light had appeared and watched for some minutes he did not see it again. “Well, I will tell the others about it,” he gaid, and he walked back toward the cabin. He found Big Bruno outside, ‘Did you see those lights?” asked Ned, The big :nan started, but instantly replied: ‘Yes, and I bave been trying to make out what they were. I believe our enemies are up there.” Then they entered the cabin to tell Ginger and ab, Meanwhile, Wild Bill had made bis way down into the black and uncanny depths of Moaning Gulch. He took no light, and the place was one to shake the nerves of any but a brave and resolute man, The scout showed bis caliber, for, although he was wonderfully superstitious, he walked along with a steady step. He had re- solved to enter the place, and he was unfal- tering, even though a legion of devils stood in his path. It was not strange the man’s best friends did not understand him, Such a mingling of super- stition, bravery, coolness, passion, sternness and tenderness was never before found in human be- ing. He was a man who could shoot down an enemy withoyta pang, but was known to shed tears over the grief of a child! Who shall judge bim? There is but One who can—One to whom the hearts of all men are as an open book. The wind was softly sobbing down in the dark canyon, lts pitiful plaint touched Wild Bill’s heart and awoke in bis breast sad echoes that had remained silent and dead for maby years. He paused and listened to the wind, scarcely breathing for fear he should miss some of its moanings, One side of the gorge lay in the blackness of ink. The moon was high in the sky, and she cast her light half-way down the other rugged side of the mysterious Gulch. Atone place there was a break tn the wall, and there the moonlight reached to the very bottom of the gor The brook that seemed to creep along with snake-like silence in the daytime was now whis- pering liquid words which the lone man seemed to understand. The cae ip deg touched a bit of it, and there it glimmered like silver, Bill sat down on a bowlder that was in the edge of the moonlight. Burying his face in his hands, he sat there, listening and thinking, How long be remained thus he did not know, lt might bave been but a few minutes, it might bave been hours. Suddenly a strange sensation began to creep slowly over him, He felt that he was not alone! af ate as if anotber presence was close at nd, He sat up and looked around, Yes, there it was! In the shadow beyond the rift of moonlight stood a something. It was like the figure of a female, and it was all clothed in white. Its face was also white. It stood there as silent as a statue, apparently regarding Wild Bill, The lone man caught his breath and, spring- ing from his seat, stared at the apparition speechless—one hand resting on the bowldec while the other instinctively gripped his ravol- ver. ; The moaning of the wind had entirely ceased —the brook made »not even a whisper. Dead silence rested over the Gulch, Slowly the figure lifted one hand till it pointed straight at the man by the bowlder, Then he heard a hollow voice say: “In these Hills you will surely meet your death, Wild Bill !” The figure began to move—it was gliding away into the blackness. It mingled with the shadows and was nearly lost to sight, With a cry, Bill leaped to his feet and plunged forward. As he did so, the ghostly figure dis- appeared in a twinkling! n vain did Wild Bill search for the figure he ad seen, It was gone, and he could not find it, At length he paused, and all the horror of bis position rushed overwhelmingly upon him. But through his set teeth he grated: , “I will not run! Not even the devil himself cau make me do that!” ; Deliberately he walked toward the exit from the Gulch, Not one man in a million but would have run, Behind him and above bis head the wind erg et spe laughed like ten thousand devils 7 ' ; ‘ . we i é: ¢ : "AS “ea 4 vy é : - “” if * re * on, pas = foes -— 2” > Wild _— Bills Weird Foe. CHAPTER VIIL. THE SILENT ONE SPEAKS. THOSE were propietic words uttered by the bantom-like figure of Moaning Gulch. In those ills Wild Bill was destined to meet bis death at the hand of an assassin, but the time was yet some years away. Bill believed himself a man whose destiny was fixed unalterably by a Power he dared not question. He was known to say it seemed his unavoidable destiny to kill, and for years before bis death be declared the end of his life would be a violent one. He was right, His death was pot worthy of his life, for he was given no chance to strike in his own defense. The assassin crept arpa the bero of many a deadly peril, and Wild Bill was given no warning of bis impending fate. The bullet crashed through his skull, and he never knew why or how be was killed, And a Deadwood jury pronounced the das- tardly murderer, Jack McCall, not guilty! But Wild Bill bad frieodsin Deadwood, He was given a grand funeral, and Colorado Charlie erected a marble monument above his grave, which is in a most romantic and picturesque spot a nid tbe mountains, With his black eyes flashing, and a stern look on bis usually kindly face, California Joe ap- proached Jack McCall after the young mur- derer’s acquitta) by the Deadwood jury. ‘“‘TLook byar,” said the veteran plainsman, arimiy. ‘Wild Bill wur a side pard o’ mine. hat thar fool crowd hev ’quitted ye, but ther best thing you kin do is git outo’ Deadwood, It hain’t a healthy place.” Poor Old Joe! Dead wood was anything but a healthy place, and be did not long survive Wild Bill, Jack McCall did get out of the Black Hills metropolis, but he was not to escape. In Custer he boasted of his achiev ement, and was arrested, A second trial followed. He wus convicted and hanged, and thus was Wild Bill avenged. How the wind howled behind the Pistol King as he made his way out of the mysterious gorge! He fancied there was a touch of malignancs, hatred and derision in the cries and the uncapny laughter. Still Bill walked deliberately along, never once turning to look back, “Yell away!” he muttered, grimly. ‘‘ You are having lots of fun at my expense, but you’re welcome,” However, a breath of relief came from his lips when he reached the narrow mouth of the grim Guich. Ahead of him was the moonlight, behind bim was the darkness. There be paused and looked back, his band falling unconsciously on the butt of a revolver, He could see nothing but the blackness of the lace. ‘* Well, that settles it!” came from his lips. ** Now I know the place is haunted. The place! Is it the place, or is it me that’s haunted? For some time I have felt that I bad a spookish foe; now I know it. Ani a female! Well, Bil), rh heap sigbt more than you bargained or! He was oppressed by the words he had heard the figure in white utter, Had he come to the Black Hills to die? Being « superstitious man, _it was not strange he was troubled by what he bad heard, It would have been singular other- wise, Bill did not remain long at the mouth of the Galch, He could still hear the wind screaming far back in the blackness, and the sounds sent a mer sensation over him. **T can fight humans,” he muttered, as he made his way toward the cabin; ** but blared if I can match myself against ghosts. That is daubing it on a little too thick for my style!” He found Nervy Ned outside the cabin. The young man was seated on the ground, and seemed to be waiting for Bill, for be arose at the Pistol King’s approach. ** Bill,” ‘* Hello, Pard Ned,” ** You have been down in the Gulch?” **T reckon,” ** What did you find there?” Bill was surprised at the question, for Nerv Ned was one who seldom asked questions, He never made himself offensive by bis curiosity. ‘** [ found the Gulch,” half-laughed the scout, * Yes, and something else,” ‘* What do you mean?” Bill was questioning now, “There is more than the Gulch to find down there,” | **So? What more?” ** Darkness,” “ce You bet,” ** Shadows,” CC LL ELL ‘* Right, pard.” ‘‘ A wind that sbrieks and moans,” ** 'You’re shoutin’.” ‘‘There may be more, but all these are to be found down in Moaning Guleb.” Bill was silent for a little, looking closely inte the face of the youth, which was revealed by the moonlight. There was something about the young man’s face that he liked, and, with a sudden impulse, he held out his hand, sayin,z, frankly: ‘‘ Pard Ned, I reckon you're the clean stuff!” The youth took the offered hand, filled with surprise at the sudden act of the strange man, whom no one seemed able to comprehend. **T am glad you think so, Bill,” be said. ‘You're no great talker,” the Pi-tol King continued; ‘‘ but by your eyes I have seen you did a pile of thinking. That is one thing why I take to you.” Ned was a bit confused, and knew not what to say, so be remained silent, ‘““T know you havea secret,” Bill continued ;. “but that belongs to you alone, I bave seen that something about Moaning Guich affected, ou,” ‘You are right. The place works on me strangely. As you say, Bill, I am no great talker, but I feel like speaking just now. We: are alone here, for I am left on guard. The others have rolled in for the vight. I was weit- ing for you, as I wished to tell you about some- thing that troubles me a little.” Bill led the young man toa place whero they both could sit down in a comfortable position, _. When they were seated, he saia: | ‘* Now, go anead, Ned.» I am ready to hear anything you have to tell.” ‘* For some days I bave felt as if a great dan- ger were hovering over us,” the silent one began. Bill nodded. ‘“Somehow I could not shake off the feeling of oppression that crept over me. It seemed as if we might never escape from these Hills alive.” Bill did not confess it, but more than once be had thought the same thing possible, ‘* This affair to-day—the appearance of white, foes at hand—has caused my fears to become’ even greater. Our borses are gone—” t *“ And I’m going after them in the morning.” ‘You may not be able to recover them.” ‘* T shall do so, if it is in the wood,” 7 '¢T know that, Bill; you will recover them, if. any living mancould. Thatissure, but— Well, never mind that, Listen. After you had gone down into the Gulch, and while I as sitting on that bowlder yonder, 1 saw what I believe were signals made by our enemies,” “Ha! Where?’ , ‘‘ Away up yonder on the slope. The moon- light alls there now, but 1t was in the shadow then. ‘‘ What did you see?” ‘* A light,” sé Yes?” “Tt appeared and disappeared three times,” Wild Bill nodded, ‘‘) reckon that was a sure enough singal, pard, But who was it to?” | ‘‘That is what I do not know.” — Both were silent for a few moments, and Wild Bill seemed in a brown study. Finally, he lifted his head, saying deliberately: ‘‘T am ready to confess | don’t like it, ot thought I might get shut of this killin’ business bere in the Hills, or, leastwise, I'd only have to kill red-skins, and they don’t count. But it looks like I was wrong. Ned, why jis it some people never have to shoot a man?” The youth was startled by the strange ques- tion, and he knew not bow to reply. hile he was hesitating, Bill continued: “With me, it basalways been shoot or be shot, I am not overly anxious to shuffle off this mor’al coil just yet awhile, soI shoot, I lovelife,P 1d — Ned, and I love everything God made that is good and honest, I never did like crookedr:ss and cussedness, which things I allow were m*\le by the devil, not by ‘the Ruler of the Universe, It has always been my way to kick against any- thing that wasn’t white, and so I have made a right smart lot of enemies, he try to down me, and in order to keep on top, I have to down them. So it has been nothing but kill, kill, kill, | till I am sick and tired of it!” Those words gave Nervy Ned an insight to Wild Bill’s true character such as he had never © before had. He saw the man was in earrest, and for the moment, at least, the repugnance uf taking buman life strong upon him, In a moment of passion, Wild Bill might forget his present but now comicbooks.co even in self-defense, was | . » ° ; 7 ‘ > se me a 7? ’ - '> 3? Z -¢ - ,.. , 4 oi | os a Ly . ay 2 ae a” C5 &. o Reap a a >