Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 1158 — page 2: what you’re looking at

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

Zz ee “Do you stay in Fort Benton?’ asked the elder of the two, who was called Roderick Wright, of the youngers who answered to the name o jourtney. ‘“No, I shall push forward to the mines, as soon as i can find a train to journey with.” ‘‘ Have you decided what mines you will try your fortune at?’ asked, W right, ‘¢ No, it’s all one to me,” carelessly answered the other. ‘‘I shall go with the first party that start, no matter which way they journey. You see, 1’m a rolling stone, and it don’t make much difference where I settle down.” “Have you. ever been in this part of the country befvure?” asked the elder of the two. “Yes, once. A year ago I went through to Olympia, by the upper trail, with a party of emigrants. I went for the fun of the thing then, I had eee of money and wished to see the country; but now—” and here the speaker hesitated, and for a moment a cloud came over his face. “Well, what now?’ asked the other, looking to the young man’s face curiously: then no- ticing the hesitation of Courtney, he spoke ab- ruptly: ‘I beg pardon for my questions; I have no wish to pry into your affairs, and—” “Oh, it’s not that!” cried Courtney. “I’ve nothing to conceal, but—well, I may as well tell you about it. I don’t know how it is, but some way. or another I’ve taken a liking to you; and, besides, it relieves a man’s mind to tell his troubles—not that I’ve had much trouble in my life. Six months ago, my father, who was a commission merchant in St. Louis, died very suddenly, and on winding up his affairs I dis- covered that, instead of possessing an estate of fifty or a hundred thousand dollars, my father was bankrupt at the time of his death, and left me nothing. Being an only son, and my mother dying in my infancy, my father had made a pet of me—brought me up asa gentleman; so, at his death, I was thrown upon the world help- less. The old ef i who settled up my father’s estate, and who had known me from my SoA hood, asked me what I. was going todo? Of course I answered that I hadn’t the remotest idea. He then offered me the loan of a hundred dollars, and yore that I had better take the first boat for Fort Benton, and try my luck at the mines. I accepted the offer with thanks. My story’s ended, and now you know why I stand here to- on the hurricane-deck of the Mountain Belle, bound for the gold mines and a fortune.” ‘‘Your history is a good illustration of our American life—up to-day and down to-mor- row,” returned Wright; *‘ but it’s a strange co- incidence—” “What?” asked Courtney. _ ‘Why, if I understand you rightly, you stand here to-day on the deck of the M Belle without a clear idea where you are going or what you are going to do,” ‘Yes, exactly,” answered the y man. “Well, ’'m in the same fix,” said’ Wright, with a quiet smile. ** Indeed!” cried Courtney. “Yes, I don’t exactly know where I’m going or what I’m going to do, yet at the same time have a clearly-defined plan in my head, py - means of which I expect to make, at the least ; calculation, upward of fifty thousand dol- The young man gazed at the speaker in astonishment. ; ‘ That’s a large sum,” he exclaimed. * Yes, but I expect to make it sure, and I’ve only got a few hun : to work on. I ba said. f didn't know where I was going when I said that, I'meant I didn’t know ewactly where I was going, for I do know the direction.” Here the r pulled out of his pocket a small ma of the Western States and Territories, ‘ » he said, placing his finger on the little black once Fort Benton, ‘‘do you notice the 1s lan at che ine small lin urthney COG | map. ine evidently y glanced taadSpexieil, led from Fort Benton west by south, crossed the Rock Mountains through Cadotte’s Pass, then went it struck the south fork of the Flathead river, went a little south of the river and there stopped. At the pasta i line . +~ hed been made, and the. words ‘ Elk “ity. ai Bk City: bat. wii ‘e eteciy know, «xcept that it 1 be Beadle’s “Halt-D | the Indian ways. | saw on mortal man. 3 L. o |. Like a book,” answered Courtney. “4 Yee, thon, 2p ache . “IT see the line, x, 5 govatter thst, T don't _ sate m4 5 : ‘s ee < oe @ * _ = - expect to make your fifty thousand dollars?” asked Courtney. “Yes,” answered Wright, with a quiet smile. ‘“‘T get the idea!” exclaimed the young man, suddenly. ‘‘ You know of some Se mine up there that has not yet been worked, and out of that mine you intend to make your money.” “You are partly answered Wright. ‘‘I have never been in section before, and I do not know of any gold mine; yet I know of a certain something, in the Blackfoot country somewhere, that, if I can only find and c to St. Louis with me, will worth to me, when there, fifty thousand dol- ars. “T can’t guess your riddle,” said the young man, after a moment’s thought; ‘so I give it up, but I wish you success in your under- ‘* What do you say to going with me?” asked Wright. ‘What, go with you?’ questioned Courtney in astonishment. ‘“Yes. You have said-that you haven’t any settled plan as to what you will do; join mo then; I need just such a man as you, for the ef- fort for the treasure I am about to steal from the Indians will probably be resisted to the death by every red devil that claims kindred with the Blackfoot nation.” ‘There is danger, then?” asked Courtney. ‘Plenty of it; we shall risk our top-knots ev- ery hour after we are fifty miles northward from Elk City,” answered W right. ‘‘ But, if you succeed, you gain fifty thousand dollars?” sé Yes.” ‘‘Well,” said Courtney, after a moment’s pause, ‘it’s worth the risk.” ‘* And if I succeed, and you join me, of course Tl give you ten thousanc dollars,” said Wright, quietly. “You will?” cried Courtney, in amazement, — “Yes; is it a bargain?’ **¢You bet!’ as a Californian would say,” cried Courtney, extending bis hand. ‘You will join my expedition, then, after this something, worth fifty thousand dollars?” asked Wright, taking Courtney’s hand. “Yes; I’m with you to the death!” answered Courtney; ‘‘though what you are going to find up in the Blackfoot country worth fifty thou- sand dollars unless it’s a gold mine, I can’t ess. ‘* Never mind; I know well what I seek,” said Wright, ‘“‘and you may rest assured that I am pretty sure of succeeding, else I should not risk ”? my life. ‘ an Do you and I form the whole party?’ asked the young man, “Oh, no!” said Wright. ‘TI know nothing whatever of the Indian country and very little of Indian fighting, of which we shall peepatiby pes ‘before we get through with our ex- pedition. I intend to procure a couple of guides, men who know the upper region and are used to Our mission must succeed by cunning, not by force; therefore we need skHiful Sse who ean pilot us through, right into the oot country and yet .keep us out of the way of the Indians. ‘Your idea is a geod one; our party will be a small one then!” ) “Yes; four or five only, not more; two or three ret will be sufficient—careful, prudent men. Id like to get hold of some old trapper, some shrewd old fellow, who knows the country thoroughly.” | “ By Jove!” cried Courtney, I know the very “You do?” exclaimed Wright. '— ‘*- Yes; an old fellow I met when I was through here about a year ago.” — eS ‘* Who is he?” ‘‘They call him Sol, the Trapper; he’s a quaint-looking old fellow, stands about six feet high and has the longest pair of legs that I ever fact, I believe the In- dians call. him ‘ Longlegs; he’s a quiet, civil old codger, a great_contrast to the usual blustering mntier-man.” | 5 ‘‘He’s the man, then, I judge, for our pur- Yes, I should think he would suit.” | “Does he know the Blackfoot Suny a , ‘* He’s a wrappers as his name signifies, and his field of operations sis up along the Flathead river and its _ He’s not a prairie-guide?” asked Wright. _ “No; we tried to get him to guide our party ime Library. right and. partly ert. 3 man add —something singular in these frontier-men, whi: generally value an Indian’s life with that of » mad-dog. cause the Blackfeet were : against the settlements, and he said that we were a large and bloodshed could not be avoided, and he didn’t wish to have any man’s blood upon his soul if he could help-it.” ~ ‘*Isn’t the man a coward?’ 5 ‘“‘That’s exactly whatsome of our ; but one of the guides whom we had engaged te go with us laughed at the idea, To use his own words, ‘Old Sol could whip bis weight in wild- cats any day in the week, when he got started." As I take it, it’s a whim of his not to shed hu- ag blood, white or red, if he can live without it, ~ ‘‘ And yet,” said Wright, thoughtfully, “if he traps on the Flathead river he must encountes the Blackfoot Indians, for.it is in their coun. try.” ‘* Very likely,” returned rtney; ‘‘ but he’: probably cunning enough Pheer out of thels way.” He's the man then for me, if he’ll only con- sent to go with us.” ‘I think he'll go, provided we asstrehim that we want to avoid encountering the savages if ssible.” : ‘“‘ Of course,” roepended Wright, “we must steal our treasure; but if tee treasure refuses to go we must carry it away py force:” — “Tf the treasure refuses!” eried Courtney, in amazement, ‘ The treasure you speak of, then, is alive and has a voice in the matter?’ , “Yes: but the will or voice of the treasure will have little bie with me, once it is with- in my power,” said Wright, gazing at his com- panion with one of his peculiar baffling smiles, ‘Well, I must contess I don’t understand what it can be!” said Courtney. ‘‘Have patience, and by the time we strike the Flathead river, you shall know my plans as well as I do myself.” ‘“T suppose I shali have to rest satisfied with that assurance.” “But, are you certain that we shall ke able to find this Sol, the Trapper, on our arrival here?” questioned Wright. ‘Very little doubt about that; it’s just about the time he brings in his peltries, and if he hasn’tarrived yet, all we have to dois to wait for him. ” : “* But suppose he has come and gone?” asked Wren ) ‘‘ No fear of that; he generally lays off a month or so after each trip for rest. I think we shal} be certain to find him.” “Thope so,” answered Wright, ‘for, frons your description, he’s the very man I want.” “T think he'll fill the bill; butsee, we’re mak- ing a landing.” And as he spoke the steamer ran its bow on the shore, and the loud whistie ringing out clear on the prairie air, proclaimed ue arrival of the first t through from St, uis. The pee he a soon mingled with the croweé on the , the news from the Fast was eagerly asked for and the newspapers brought by the boat (age seized by the impatient throng, As Wright and Courtney descended from the hurricane-deck. and entered the main saloon, they paused for a moment in front of the bar of the hoat, where a thirsty thrcng were eagerly drinking, taking the raw whisky down with true western gusto. At a little distance from the drinkers stood an Indian, wrapped from head to foot in a coarse red blanket, while a baitered white hat crowned his head. The red-skin sur- veyed the thirsty imbibers with an envious air. Evidently be panted for the “ fire-water,” which his face and gait plainly told he had drank too much of alread ze. ; ‘‘ Let us inquire of one of those fellows if oid Sol is in,” said Courtney. ‘‘Very well; doso.” Courtney approached a rough-looking fellow in a dirty flanvel shirt and a slouch hat, who had just tossed down a glass of whisky, of the | “tanglefoot” brand, and was smacking bis lips at the flavor of the fiery beverage. -“Can you tell me if Sol, the Trapper, is in town?” Courtney asked. “Stranger, you’ve got me!” exclaimed the ressed. don’t live round this hyer ranch any way. Pm just in the uri trail.” ~ 9. * Courtney felt a hand laid upon his shrulders.. Turning, he confronted the. Indian .in the white hat and red blanket. als somite = jetit. —i8~ ter - “How!” said the savage, in a& deep, guttura} He refused to go with our party be- on ‘the war-path | rty asked, . ‘‘ Never heerd tell on him. }. —_—_ — ee own eee