Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 1152 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

- > . - . - a 7 5 Le d . ‘ oe . + + ? -~ we are going to sit stilt and permit “Tl take care of myself. Ned, stay where you are; Calamity, come with me!” As the prow of the canoe touchod the land, Nick and his dog stepped ashore, the former turning around and adding a word: “Keep your men together; don’t let one of them land.” Mackintosh nodded his head to signify that he understood, and the old trapper moved away in the direction of the village. may be supposed, his movements were watched with the most acute interest by his friends, who were Ree waieear ainful misgiv- ings, as they saw thé Blackfoot men, women, and children close around him, ere he had ad- vanced half-way across the opening clearing. ** How easy they could hew him to pieces ere he could paren it,” thought Mackintosh, who was painfully excited. But, Nick Whiffles was the picture of the cool- ness of self-possession. With his face cut across by his huge grin, he greeted tho Indians, calling several by name, with a readiness which show- ed, indeed, that they were old acquaintances. Calamity was not so well pleased. When he saw the red-skins swarm about his master, he growled and showed his teeth, and one haif- own warrior, paying no attention to him, sud- enly felt his teeth nip his coppery calves. With a yell of pain, the savage made a jump up in air, as cr he had suddenly stepped upon aes ot, and drew his tomahawk upon © dog. ‘**Don’t!” said Nick, laying his hand upon his arm; ‘‘the pup has already been skulped a half- dozen times; and I don’t think you can gain much there; besides, the man that runs ag’in’ the pup runs ag’in’ me.” : ere was a smile upon the face of the trap- per as he uttered these words, but there was also a dangerous glitter of his sharp gray eyes. Several were laughing at the discomfiture of the young warrior, and he slunk away and mingled with the others. About this time, a number of dogs became aware of the presence of another of their own ies, and they came bristling upon the scene. There were a half-dozen of them, and they came _ growling around the stranger in a most threat- ening manner. Calamity treated them all with dignified indif- ference, and all took the hint except one mon- grel cur that would not be put off. After sev- ane prerniige, he finally flew, with open mouth, a ; Ere his own mouth could close, the massive jaws of Calamity snapped shut, with the throat of the presumptuous canine between them. When ty loosened them, his victim drop- ped as lifeless as a stick to the ground. Nick had managed to see this, and he re- marked, as he turned his head: “Since Calamity has saluted that animile, I don’t think, considerin’ him as a dog, he’s of much account, When you get through with ‘em, Calamity, set ’em down soothin’-like, jist as a cat doos her kitten.” The other curs did not seem particularly anx~ ious to be “soothed” in this manner, and they took good veare to give their ferocious visitor a wide berth. Nick managed the negotiations with the skill of a Bismarck. He had learned from Mackin- tosh what he had to offer in the way of barter, and he was not long in finding out that the kfeet had a most valuable lot of beaver- pittis, which they were saving up in anticipation of a visit from the agents of the North-west Fur Company, but which they were very ready to exchange with the party that would give them the best bargain. They wanted knives, ammunition, blankets, and ornanicnts, and these were just what the wrappers had brought with them. en informed of this they scattered to bring forth their pelts. Piles of furs and skins were Setcued from the different lodges, and then car- ried down to the river- bank Ss ee they were thrown into a large heap, and the owners wait- ed for the “‘ barter ” to open. This wes speedily done, Nick still acting as negotiator. Glittering knives and gaudy frithet were handed over to him, and he passed them to tae Blackfeet, receiving their furs in re- turn. ' The negotiations progressed very satisfac tori Pet with considerable expedition. The Blackfeet had been in this kind of business be- fore, and they knew very well the price that the trappers would pay for their furs; so there ee haggling to check the bartering. Ned Hazel, The B NE ON ATCA RP ET ENS — two canoes were ranged alouyside the ! ee ee ee oe bank cnd the furs were passed to the men, who rapidly placed them.in position, At the end of a couple of hours the bar were ail completed. The entire pile of peltries was transferred to and distributed between the two canocs. Indian men, women and children were dancing with delight, and even the dogs seemed to share in the general exultation, Occupied thus in frolicking over their new pee: oy ‘Trapper, ins | _ conclusion to unravel the mystery re | _—— one a ‘Tam ready to hear it,” replied the trapper’, in a serious voice. ‘To come to the point, I have come eS rdin this Phantom Princess, as she is called, and have fixed upon you as my agent,” ‘Why have you selected me?” ‘*for several reasons. One is that I know you better than I do the rest, and my knowl- sessions, they did not think much of opening hos- | edge of you is such as to give me the fullest tilities with the trappers, It would have been in keeping with the treacherous character of the Blackfeet to have attacked these men and robbed them of the goods they had just sold. Had would have done. But there was that in the appearance of these | appreciated the compliment. same tiudson Bay trappers which satisfied the red-skins that there might be a slight unpleas- antness, and very possibly a disappointment in undertaking such a thing. Understanding what was passing through the minds of these dusky scoundrels, the whites con- ducted themselves accordingly. Their rifles and side-arins were displayed, and possibly the men put on a fiercer expression than usual: His work done, Nick Whiffles very quietly stepped into the boat, Calamity whisking after him. At the same instant the paddles dipped into the water, the canoes instantly made a gap between them and the shore, and then, rounding in the river, started up-stream. The Indians still ced with a “wild de- light;” Nick Whiffles stood in the boat smiling and waving his hand, like a father uttering a blessing on the heads of his frolicksome children. The anpee rowed with their werful stroke, and a few minutes Jater the Blackfoot village and its boisterous natives were shut from view. ’ CHAPTER VI. ‘WILL YOU DO IT?” A FEELING of relief came over the trappers as they felt they were out of sight of the dan- gerous Blackfeet, and that every minute was taking them further away. As the distance increased, the low hum of a song began to be heard among them. It rapid- ly grew louder, until it swelled out into the same deep, musical melody that these men have so often awakened among the mountains of the North-west. There were voices rich in music among these trappers, and scarcely anythi more charming could be imagined than to stan on a mountain several miles distant, and hear the song borne to you on the still air. Nick Whiffles had stated to Mackintosh that the Indians were expecting the appearance of the North-west crew, so there was reason to fear that they were somewhere in the neighborhood, and a collision was ‘ible. Indeed, it seemed more likely than not that the two parties would meet, as the other brigade would be certain to descend the Elk in ting the Blackfeet, Mackintosh and his men had several days’ paddling to do before they could reach a point where they could leave the Elk, and thus get off the road of their rivals, who, finding that they had been outwitted, would be very apt to make some dangerous manifestations. The air was clear and bracing, and the two large canoes continued their swift course up the river with no interruption at all, until the usual time for halting, when the moon was directly Nick Whiffles having perf ngage Nick Whiffles havin ormed his e ment for Mackintosh~ received a very liberal fee from him, and understood that he was at liberty to depart whenever he chose; but, as they were carrying him toward the lonely spot in the wilderness where his cabin stood, he pre- ferred to remain with them through che greater part of this day, at least. When at noon the boats turned toward the shoie, they had put a good number of miles be- tween them and the Blackfoot village, so that they gave no further thought regarding it. before, they were surrounded dense woods, and several of the men, upon ding inssapily, pines into the forest in quest o game, hile the others were occupied in their various duties, Mackintosh requested Bandman to walk aside with him, 3 The two moyed silently away among the trees, until they were beyond sight and hearing of their friends, when they seated themselves upon a mound of earth, and the Scotchman first spoke. ate Hugh,” said he, in a low, confidential tone, “T have rather a curious proposition to make to vou.” + ~ 2 es ee, ' | faith in you. I can say that, during the long service that you have piven the company, there never has been the first complaint against you, a ju and you have never been known to fail in any- they been sure of success, this is just what they | thing you undertook.” Bandman bowed his head to signify that he Indeed, there was a certain dignity in the manner of the trapper, that would have impressed one in his favor. ‘** All this is preliminary,” continued Mackin- tosh. ‘If Il were asked to select a man from my party, who was free from superstition, there t only one about whom I d feel any cer- nty, " acini you refer to me?” said the trapper, with a smile. ‘Of course; brave as Nick Whiffles undoubt- edly is, it was easy to see last night that he was impressed by what he saw, and holds a super- stitious feeling about the Phantom Princess. I am satisfied, in my own mind, that, curious as was the scene, the actor in it was as much flesh and blood as either you or I, What do you think?” ‘*T agree with you.” **T did not doubt it. Furthermore, I believe that the mystery of the Princess lies in the Black- foot village that we visited ni EP Bandman started so perceptibly that Mackin- tosh laughed. ‘What is it, Hugh?’ ‘“* Rather strange,” replied his friend, with the same wan smile, ‘‘ but, somehow or other, it is the same conclusion that forced itself upon me, while we were trading with them Ro-cays., ‘Good reason for believing we are right; did yoo observe anything that could give you a clew? ‘‘ Nothing at all; I was on the look-out for it all the time, but could detect nothing.” ‘Fave you any reason then for your belief?” ‘‘ Probably no more than you have: I am sat- isfied that this Nick Whiffles knows more about the matter than he is disposed to tell.” “Undoubtedly; but there is no use of qués- tioning him; his lips are sealed, and he would resent any interference,” ‘‘ Well, I am ready to hear any pr Le said Bandman, after a moment’s silence oetween em, ‘* My official position under the company pre- vents my engaging personally in any thing of this character, as you can readily see; but there are several things that have awakened my sus- icion since Nick Whiffles joined us, and | have the strongest desire to seve them to the bot- tom, You are the man 1 wish should undertake to clear up the doubt about this Phantom Prin- cess. Will you do it?” dman was silent a moment, and then, look- ing down to the ground, he spoke as though communing with himself. ‘“T have a great desire to do so.” Will you undertake it?” ‘+ Yes,’ ‘* That settles the great difficulty,” said Mack- intosh, with something of his natural cheeriness of manner, and then he added, in the same thoughtful tones: ‘‘ If I were talking to another person, I should name some pecuniary inducement—but not to you. You have an abundance of wealth in Lon- don, and I know no money could tempt you to engage in anything against your own desires.” 4 Of course,” assented the trapper, with a sigh; “‘T have some curiosity regarding this person, and will undertake to identify her,” “Tt will be necessary for you to visit the Blackfoot village, and there will be no little personal danger in doing so,” ‘‘T know it,” was the reply. ‘‘To give a color of authority to your under- taking, I will make you the bearer of a message to the chief from me, asking him to catch and save all the peltries for us during the comin winter. Perhaps that will assist hae through. “It is a good suggestion,” said Bandman, nob a little pleased, ‘‘ and with the exercise of a lit- tle tact upon my part, I think I can succeed, There is one promise, however, that I must ex- act of you, upon which depends my acceptance , of this mission.” ‘Tt is given before you ask it.” ‘It is that, if I do net return to you, you wil ‘ . - - ~ a ] >. 2 ; ; a eer em ie ‘ As roe *. ’ ? onl s : 4 . is ~- ” . - 5 . P 7 Ai ee oe Oe ce Sem ee ww, & ~ 7 ~ ~ - UJ - Ld ot Sa i as pre f S ae = bos - = = . —_ BY: -> . — ao” .~ Za . ; ek b . © * i> ‘ ~ “ - ” . ‘ a y | | ’ / | = ECOMICDOOKS.C «} irae - - , ,