Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 1155 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

a en f.. 3 - + e - - A, 1a ) * from their e to make an attack u 14 -. the bushes, pale-face, and you can see that the approaching horsemen are not Indtans.” “ Not Indians!” exclaimed Old Optic, as he peered through the opening out into the plain. ‘By heavens, you are right, Red Win &! tisa party of dragoons, and at their head I see that noble boy, Haubeve Harry! Whoop! whoop! hurrah!” and the old ARROE bounded through the undergrowth out into the prairie, where he was met by Hawkeye Harry and the dragoons. ‘‘ Hullo, my young friend!” exclaimed Optic; “ vou’re, still on foot, eh?” ‘Yes; though I have had some pretty narrow escapes,” replied the young ranger. “The red- skins got me into a bayou last night, and tried to burn me out,and I only escaped by the skin of my teeth, just in time to sink. a tomahawk into the brain of the Sioux chief, Gray Hawk. But what are you doing here, old friend?” The youth dismounted as he asked the soe tion, while Lubin, the dragoons and Mr, Gar- dette advanced and jdined Red Wing and his warriors. Old Optic briefly narrated all that had trans- ired under his obseryation since Baixy had eft the Cone, including the ing informa- tion of Clouded Heart, ** Then you're on your way to rescue your daughter?” said Harry, when he had-heard the old trappe ’s sad story. “Yes,” replied the trapper. “Then, you can depend upon company and assistancé, for these dragoons are going to the Sioux village to rescue the daughter of that elderly man on the white horse. I tell. you, Op- tic, be is the father of the sweetest little woman I ever saw.” ‘Ah! oh, yes; certainly,” lau hed Old Optic. ‘“‘ But if she is a captive, how did you see her?” The young ranger narrated his Inte adven- tures. bo “ And Optic,” he continued, “‘ Pll rescue that girl if I lose my own life by the act.” ‘“TIn love!” said. the old trapper; ‘‘crazy in love! But, Harry, I want you to keep your eyes upon this masked stranger of whom I told you awhile ago. He calls himself Clouded Heart, and I must admit he is clouded in a great mystery.” ‘Tl do so, Optic. see of the stranger.” The two fellow-rangers joined the Indians and dragoons, who had entered upon terms of friend- sw) and good feeling. louded Heart stood aside by himself, and, as they advanced, Hawkeye mer noticed that he fixed his glowing eyes upon the old trapper, with a steady gaze. For awhile he elicited much notice and curi- osity from the soldiers and Mr. Gardette, but when they had learned of his sorrow through Old Optic, their attention became more of pity than curiosity. , A consultation was now held as to the ERP per course to’pursue in rescuing the captives. ‘The two parties had united their forces and were to act together thereafter. They were now some ten miles from the Sioux village, and it was suggested by Hawk- ex? Harry that they remain in the timber un- il nicht, and then approach the enemy’sstrong- hold under cover of darkness. The suggestion was no sooner advanced’ than acted upon, and in a few minutes the whole party bad gone into a temporary encampment. The day wore aney quite slowly to some of the party, but by dusk every man was mounted and moving northward, guided by the yourg ranger and Lubin. — {t was far in the night when a point on the prairie was reached, two miles from the Indian town. Here a halt was made for further con- sultation in regard to their course of action. The Any ae advanced were many, and nous but those of Hawkeye Harry and Red Wine coincided, and theirs was thé one that a! decided upon as the most likely to be attend- ed with success. ~~" >. They proposed to leave the horses with a strong guard, then steal forward on foot to the village, or close to itas they dare, without running into danger before way ere prepared to meet it, If the warriors all returned xpédition; it was thoucht best not n the town until they accomplished in their Now let us see what I can had seen ‘what could | ae by stratagem, the white man’s first expe- ~ en The Indian town was located u a small creek flowing fram Lake Okibogie. To the north of ita steep, wooded’ bluff arose several bumired feet above-the level of the valley, and ed down to the encampment, most of which was infolded within the shadow of the ‘the red imps would Beaaie's. HalfDime Library. a ee eee -_— Soe woods. South of the village a long, treeless, shrubless plain rclied away in gentle undulations for many miles. | paueeye Harry and Red Wing took thé lead | had no fear of toward the village. They crossed the creek a mile below the’ place, and after hours of toil reached a point in the woods, in the rear of the town, A reconnoissance was now to be made, and the perilous job.fell upon the Boy Ranger, Lubin, the scout, and Red Wing. Leaving their friends, the three ‘crept for- ward through the woods and soon gained a point on the hill, where they had a fair view of the town. The hour was late, but. there were many fires burning, and ‘apparently every man, woman and child was astir. “ Thar’s sumtbin’ up,” whispered Lubin, “‘ or im ‘‘ Yes, they have war-dance,” said Red Wing. “Yes, and they’ve got a white male prisoner, too,”-added Hawkeye. “ k, nigh that cen- tral lodge, tied to a post.” Lubin and the chief did as directed. At the same time a low exclamation burst from the lips of the old scout. “« By jinks!” he said, ‘‘ that ogy is Richard Parker! The boy weren’t killed, arter all.” ‘He is the young man that Mr. Gardette was speakin’ of, eh?” “Yes. Heard’em say at the fort he war the lover o’ Gardette’s gal.” Harry started at this information. Was it possible that Nora had a lover? The thought was a bitter one. / For some time the trio sat and watched the Indians moving\about, apparently ah ote for some exciting event. at was it ere they going to torture Parker? If such was the intention, the idea was sud- denly abandoned, for they saw the prisoner taken to.a lodge and guards posted around it. Hawkeye Harry strained his eyes in hopes of cetting a glance at Nora, but he was disap- pointed. But he did see among the Indians, moving about in perfect freedom, Henri Roche and his men. Gradually the savages retired and the camp- fires died out, but, between them and the camp, our friends saw a number of wary guards pac- ing to and fro upon their beat. Red Wing proposed making a sndden attack upon the village in the dark. But Harry and Lubin opposed such a bloody course. They knew that the Fox warriors were thirsting for Sioux blood, and, if once under way, an indis- criminate massacre was sure to be the result. **No, no, Red Wing,” said the youth; * I hate a Sioux as bad almost as-you do, but I'd never consent to see their women and children mur- dered. And if we should-attack them and meet with a repulse, as 1 believe we would, then it would make matters worse. Let ws be patient; but, bah! talk of patience to an Indian! But, ing the stream above and below, the wigwams of the tribe were built with no little precision. The chief’s lodge was well guarded and he dimvigetr: for a’ foe could’not a roach from ‘the south, nor could he pass the ine of wick-e-wps without being seen. At an early hour on the merning in question, five men took their departmre from the Indian town. They were Henri Roche and his men, starting back forthe contents of the chest they had buried upon the banks.of the Bover. The chief found himself alone in his lodge soon after the departure of the outlaws. The execution of the young male captive, Richard Parker, was to be postponed until Roche’s return, consequent- ly quiet and inactivity prevailed. The warriérs lounged idly about their wigwams and slept in the warm sun. Only their squaws were busy bringing water and fuel and dressing game of the previous day’s chase. But where was Nora Gardette? where was Gertie, the captive child of the old trapper? and where the child of Clouded Heart? \ Ah! see yonder! Out from a nea#-looking little lodge floats a being fair as the sun ever shone upon. Her skin is whife, but her move- ments and pe and gaudy, flashy orna- ments and clothing, were those of an Indian. But seven years could change the habits of a child\into those of an Indian princess. It must be Gertie, the child of Old Optic. The young princess crossed the opening be- tween the wigwams and the lodge of the chief, and approached the latter structure. At the door she was met by Black Buffalo. ‘‘What does my white daughter want?’ he asked, ‘“‘I see that her face wears a cloud which tells me hér heart is sad.” ‘‘My heart has always been sad, Black Buffa- lo,” she said. “Ever since I was taken from my poor poms and mamma, I have known no happiness ut [ came to intercede for the life of the prisoner yonder,” and she pointed toward young Parker’s prison-lodge, The chief’s brow clouded and a grim smile tapi over his face. ‘‘'Then you love the pale-face prisoner?’ he said, ' The princess hung her head and blushed scar- let. he chief noted her emotions and con- tinned: “The pale-face youth shall die. You are te be the wife of “he chief, called Roche, when three suns more go down. Waugh!” Tle last exclamation was occasioned by the unceremonious intrusion of a figure wrapped in a great blanket, into the secret precincts of the chief’s lodge. Before the chief could utter a single word, the figure threw aside the blanket, and there, face to face with the great Black Buffalo, stood Hawkeye Harry, the ranger. The brave youth had come to beard the lion in his den, and before the chief could recover sufficiently from his surprise, a revolver was leveled full at his head, and a firm, decided and boys, I’ve a plan in my head to rescue the pris- | unflinching voice’said: oners, and if it should fail, nobody’s scalp but my own would have to pay the forfeit.” Ale nee is yer plan? t’s hear it,” said Lu- in. The young ranger made known his plan of ac- tion, ee Ten to one ye’'ll git tomahawked,” said Lu- in. Red Wing was silent, which was proof that he did not approve of the youth’s project. ‘1 know it’s dangerous, friends, but, if I Jose my scalp, it - won't be a serious loss. All Task is your assistance or presence on the other side of the creek.” ‘* Never fear; we'll be there,” said Red Wing. ** We'll be there,” repeated Lubin. And together the two arose and crept softly away, leaving Hawkeye Harry alone to nerve himself for the execution of his dangerous and fearless undertaking—all for the sake of Nora Gardette.. CHAPTER XVII. BEARDING THE LION. NIGHT’ passed away, and the sun of another day dawned upon the village of Black Buffalo. Still the cunning Sioux knew naught of the foe that was environing their town, for all they “were vigilant and scouts were constantly on the move, Close to the edge of the stream that divided the wooded bluffs and great prairie, stood the lodge of Black Buffalo. Upon the south side of ‘the stream was a steep, appa nag bank that c guarded well the approach from that direction. a semicircle arowed tic chief’s lodge, touch- a> hy ‘Utter one word, Black Buffalo, that can be heard outside of this lodge and you shall die!” The chief fairly staggered backward before the deadly fire of the youth’s eyes. His great spirit was quelled by the deadly weapon pointed ep breast, by a hand he knew was never, ailing. . What doés the pale-face—” the chief began in a low tone, but permitting his yoice to grow eee with each word—‘ want here? Bose e— Stop?’ commanded Harry; “not so loud! If ‘ by word or wa oie make my presence in this lodge known, I will shoot you dead !” e chief was unarmed, and he saw thathe was completely in the youth’s PORE E. It was over a hundred yards to the wick-e-ups ot ‘the warriors; the boy stood between him and the door of his own lodge, the flap of which was down; no sudden movement could defeat the outh’s purpose, for his dark-gray eyes were xed with a steady, unwavering gaze on his owr black, scintillating orbs, and his the trigger of the weapon. ““T come,” the youth continued, after a mo- ger Was upod ment’s hesitation, “for all the captives in your “ nds. s vee hain’t got any,” replied the chief, in neglish. PY ou lie!” exclaimed the youth; ‘‘ within the last two days you have brought two, a man and ve or two you have for pare ctl cae av tala iil al . unc a low i GF tha: Fnttlinn prinlbeen ‘betare hit pe ‘‘ Have you such acaptive?” Harry continued. X m4 _* < “-) ; 9: ; - - ~ — - a gt =<» +a | % = i a . " on . e. . > ' a . a pea Las | S ae ~ ve - ~ _ Sk f. * Z com , es = +9 4