Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 1154 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

a of the varmints still left in the woods. I think \.<’d better make a change of quarters.” ou have come,” said Helena, reqs out her hand to the hunter. ‘‘ Ned has just told me that father and mother are both vate in your cabin, where I hope we shall soon be. ‘‘ We haven’t been out haunting for you very long,” said Zip; ‘somehow or other we drifted over this way, cotched a glimpse of your camp, heard the bang of your pistol, and came up just in time to take a hand in the rump,” While the three stood conversi Fitesim- mons did his best to recruit his ot, taking from the prostrate forms his hat, waten, neck- tie, vest, and various articles that rightfully be- longed to him, It was a sore task and a repul- sive work, but he persevered, and soon placed in bree a presentable condition again. He found his wearing a rather soiled, but he was glad to get is as 1t was, and recalling his recent remarkable escape, he was certeinly systified in feeling that extremely good fortune d attended him. As there was something terrible in the sight of the three inanimate forms lying near them, and Helena shuddered every time she encoun- tered them, the moved away, carrying the rifles with them, so that each man was doubly armed. ey walked through the woods in sil til they reached a small ascenige Eons which the meouiiast penetrated, where they paused for a short consultation. ‘* As near as I can make it,” said Old Zip, in answer to a question, ‘‘ there are forty or Injuns among these hills, and the sooner we git py into the old cabin the better it will be for all of us. Hosmer, who had been introduced to P ; treated him with the utmost cordiality, inamhe: ‘*T am so giad 2 soon as they surrounded me in the house,” he replied, ‘ they all set upon and dis- ‘armed me. After that they gauged my i gy and weight, and concluded, I suppose, that if three of their number were fully armed they would be capable of preserving themselves from injury at my hands, [I trust ‘you do not mean - to uate, sir, that it required a smaller party than usual to hold me in durance.” ‘(On the con , quite the reverse. Old Zip, here, tells me t he was once driven a hundred miles t h the woods by two In- dians, who together dn’t weigh more than one of your dou didn’t understand him,” interposed the hunter, with all solemnity; ‘‘ the wonder is that after the varmints took a look at you, they didn’t make up thar minds that it would take the whole y to hold you, and not run such an awful as leaving only three of their best warriors to hold you.” ‘‘ Baware, sir,” said Fitzsimmons, with frigid dignity ; “T am notin the helpless condition I was a few moments ago; I am armed.” ‘‘That don’t make no difference, fur you're just as dangerous one way as the other.” Helena, seeing a p of something un- oe interfered, and reminded Zip that he said that it was necessary to make all haste to the cabin, as they were in danger so long as they remained away. “That’s so,” he said; “and we’re standing here, making fools of ourselves. [ll take the lead, and you can foller, minding that you must keep as quiet as if tending your own funer fur thar’s no telling when we'll run into an of the varmints. Ned, you’d better let the gal come next to me, and you keep a watch at the rear.” , Tielena step forward to carry out this sug- gertion, when Fitzsimmons thrust his elbow out, as an invitation for her to take his arm. tthe smiled and replied: “Tm afraid we can’t ado well in the woods, ially in ‘* Let ‘im kink out his elbows ef he wants to,” said Old Zip; ‘‘and after he gets them cracked against the trees two or three times, he’ll get enough of it. Perey concluded not to press the point. To reach the ravine in which the wonderful cabin was ot. yore it was necessary to ascend an pass to the other side of a mass of hills. The walking was exceedingly rough and tire- some, ang poor Fitzsimmons was tired to the ut- Forgetting himself, he now and then gave ut- terance to some exclamation, but one oy two e night- ce ey el A — > - Se eee +. aaatastyip very . ee = — ~ oa es Crewe omy ee — Beadles Half-Dime Library. -——e oe + = — see ee we eee LE ERNEST sharp reminders from Zip sufficed to make him more careful afterward. He had one ccnsolation in journeying. As Ned Hosmer acted as rear-guard, he thus found himself placed between him and Helena, with whom he managed to ex a word or two, without exciting the ire of their guide. When they reached the summit of the hills, all Fang for a few minutes’ rest. m their elevated stand-point they found their view quite extended, as the moon had reached « high point in the heavens, and it was unobscured by any passing clouds. Away off to the northward a es light d be seen in the sky, and apparently in the very horizon. Looking a little to the east of ete proeeer similar sight was seen. os made by the varmints,” was the com- mentary of Zip, after they had looked at them a few minutes in silence. ‘*T hope the inmates have been as fortunate as we,” said Helena, leaning upon the arm of her lover. ‘‘ More likely every one of ’em is inside them burnin’ buildings,” replied Zip. “1 never know- ed of but one cabin in the air, and that ’ere be- longs to the undersigned.” ‘ That’s quite a curiosity,” said Fitzsimmons. ‘“‘T passed under it to-day, and tried to learn how it is stuck up there.” ' ‘Did you find out?’ ' “Certainly; I always succeed in any thing I ra a unless something intervenes to pre- ven ‘* How is it? Don’t speak too loud, for those others might hear you.’ oa Why. you have got the side against the agen aned off smooth, and then you covered i mucilage and glue, and stuck it up their surface, and there she sticks.” “See here,” said the hunter nudging him, and speaking in a confidential whisper; ‘its a t secret, and I don't want to let anybody ow how the thing is done.” ‘‘Oh! that’s all right,’ replied Percy, with a ame a8 air. ‘‘ Of course, I understand such things; but let me ask you how it is in rainy weather. Isn’t the cabin in danger of dropping off?” ‘Well, yes, we have to | out for that. Two or three times it has got so wet that it slid down to the bottom, and we had to wait till next morning afore we could stick # on ‘‘ Isnt there any way by which you can avoid that danger?’ ‘‘Oh, yes; I have an umbrella in the house, and when it gete to raining pretty hard, Peg holds it out the window, that keeps it off, you see,” “That must be rather tiresome.” ‘‘So it is; but when she gets tired, why we relieve one another, and so get along first-rate. Do you understand, Persimmons?” Percy nodded his head to signify that it was all clear to him, and that he was a man who knew how to keep a secret. | en the had sufficiently rested, the resumed their journeying through the wood, taking the same form of march as before, bu advancing with still greater caution. Old Zip tabooed talking, except in whis- yes and admonished each one to walk with as ght footsteps as possible, . this manner they progressed, until they a. descending the hill into the ravine. is was the point of extremest danger, and the gait of Old Zip became tedious from its de- liberation and care. He really believed that the chances were ten to one inst the ravine being clear of the Sioux, and if he should lead his friends into an ambush the result could but be disastrous in the extreme. In this fashion they reached a point on the edge of the gorge, where the vegetation grew luxuriantly, and where the rocks were piled in masses one above another, while a stream of i hg water trickled down from a point fully fi ty feet above their heads. ‘** Here I’m goi , leave you a while,” said Old Zip, Pod pepe about and facing his friends. ‘For what?” was the prompt query of Ned osmer, “Matters look a little too &1b’us for me to take the whole down “har, till I make sartin thar ain’t;a thousand of them sarpints waiting to gobble us up.” | “‘How far off is your cabin?’ inquired Fitz- simmons. ‘* A little less than thirty miles.” ** By Jove—” “ Excuse me,” interrupted Zip with a laugh, “T mean about a Bparne of amile. But the only way to get at it is from below, and we have got to make it right through the ravine; rs so we must make sure of our ground afore we go to tramping over it. Do you get the idea, ersimmons?!” «ies commendable forethought—very com- mendabile,” awented Percy, as though his op'- nion was all that was needed to decide the whole question. ® ‘Do you wish me to year ge you?” asked Hosmer, monte up to the side of the old bun- ter, lay is hand upon his shoulder, and s ing an undertone: ‘‘for if you do, I will leave Helena here and go with you.” Old Zip looked down with a pleasant grin in the face of the young man, whose daring skill and nobility of character had completely won his affection. | ‘‘Do you s’pose I’d take. you away from the gal, if I did want yout Just look back and see ow she is eating you up with her eyes. No, Ned, I don’t want yeu; stay and take ov care of her, for Persimmons is smit, and is bound to a ia ahead of you if such a thing is pos- e. Ned Hosmer’s face expanded with the quiet smile of assurance, as he answered; ‘“Don’t worry him; he seems to be good- hearted, and if anxious to measure lances with me, I will leave Helena to act the part of um- pire, ‘ Zip shook his head. me ‘“‘'d like to see the chap that has any show thar; why I’d doubt my cwn success, supposing Poesy hadn’t been born.” is badi finished, the guide now ad- dressed himself to the party: ‘Tm going to make a reconnoissance of the no s’pose Perey is 00 at gory oy and unless she signals righ you've got stop among these rocks and ushés till es does give the right signal.” “Are you about to venture upon the expedi- tion alonef’ inquired Perey, stepping up to Zip. fy did think of it, onless you object to it.” “T think you ought to have company, and if Mr. Hosmer here’s unwilling or afraid to do so, wee will volunteer to go along with you my- This was a direct thrust at the lover, in the hope of indu him to leave the ground clear for him to press his suit with his cousin Helena. Both she and Hosmer understood this, ahd the girl pressed his hand to signify that he was to pay no heed to it. our hero quietly smiled, and said no- Finding the taunt had produced no effect, and feeling a little jealous, Fitzsimmons became more pointe): “‘T wish % say, Mr. Hosmer, that I consider this undertaking of Zip ous in the ex- treme, and 1 am of the opinion that he ought to ine company. Are you willing to act as his s+ co Hosmer was not without a certain - ness in his disposition, and he answered, in an humble voice: ‘*T suppose you are right, Mr. Fitzsimmons; indeed I will not take it upon myself to dispute you. Yes; thé expedition is dan s, and no- tying obgnt to be neglected that can increase his chances of safety. ‘As I learn from my dear friend Helena, there, that you are intimately acquainted with the country, I consider you as eminently the Foe, to act as his companion. What do you i ‘“‘T am afraid I shall have to plead guilty; but then it will be a great deal more pleasant forme to stay here and keep company with my dear friend Helena.” It seemed as if Fitssimmons was unable te give utterance to the noble rage that was swell- ing in his soul. ‘From what I know of my cousin, I know that she will drive you out of her presence, if you have not the manhood to volunteer.” | *Can’t I stay, dearest?” asked Hosmer, turn- ing plaintively to the lady, like a cliild whinj for some sweetmeats, ‘“Yes: I am willing,” was the reply given with an apparent reluctance. ‘“‘ Yes; I think it will be safer for you here.” Percy was nonplussed, and did not know what to do to show his scorn for such poltroonery. While he was debating what to say or do, Old Zip focused things by starting away. ‘Hold on!” he called out, in a dangerously loud voice. “Wal, what's wanted?’ asked the hunter, pausing, turning his head, but not offering to come back. | | | “JY want to fix this matter. It’sa shame ace~~ A com chooks. » ae FI me ee eee ™y * " ee et el i iil. A >--.- eeeeee———eEeEEeee ; : : / | ——— To { . e—eEeEeE—E—E—EEEEEEEEE ee ——— eee —_ ee ee : —_ ~