Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 121 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

| } : ; : i i —= Ee ie = -« - . ~ - = : ee epee ee . words _ ——— ee ee oe - for in those long-ago days, the tribes built their homes like the woodchuck, in the ground, in- stead of on top of it, as is evidenced in this ter- ritory bY the frequent caves in the mountains. | ’ Mount as et ar’ called, 1 persume contains a heep o’ caves, w’ich war ther village, fer an old tumble-down stone ruins of a temple 0’ some sort is ther only thing on top o’ ther peak, now. As fer ther place bein’ inhabited wi’ speerits, an’ bein’ ha hobgoblins, hanged ef I quite know what ter me I see’d sum things enough ter make a Na- polean light-headed, an’ I reckon thar’s critters hoverin’ around ther place, w’at ain’t natteral born citizens o’ this world.’ ‘* My informant told me that he saw spectral Indians flying through the air overhead, and fighting each other, and groaning and screeching enough to scatter one’s courage endways,” May- burn said. “Yas, I see’d ther consarned things which had wings, an’ looked as big as giants, an’ they were cavortin’ thru the air in a way thet made me shiver way down ter my boots, although [ll allow I ain’t werry cowardly. But I didn’t heer no groanin’ ner screechin’, But I opine thar’s sum queer things thar.” “Strange indeed,” bud Rob said, ‘‘ and it was for the very purpose of solving the mystery that 1 came into this country. y am I to take a hand in the investigation, as I never saw a Phos bigger than a man’s imagination yet. Will you guide us to the haunted city, Chip?’ ‘‘T opine yes, Robert, my Rosebud,” the Girl Guide replied. ‘‘ Wa’rsumever ye rotate will I perrigrinate, no matter ef et be inter ther nega ©’ the Nile, or the frozen region o’ North Pole- dom. An’ ef ye’re after wrasslin’ wi’ ghosts an’ nich like, set me down fer an old-fashion side- holt! ‘‘Then 1 can depend upon you both, can 1?” Mayburn asked. ‘* Yes. How soon will you start?” ‘“* Early in the morning, if possible. I. want night to find me many miles on my, journey, to- morrow.” ‘* Very well, I for one will be with you early to-morrow, and as for Chip, she will probably be on hand, as she is the guide to our fates and fortunes,” Rosebud said, withasmile. ‘“ Yes, you bet yer boots Cinnamon Chip will be on jeck reddy fer a ginnywine circus, Hard- pan. you old night-bloomin’ serious, are we to favored \vi’ yer company y” ‘“ Thet’s jerzactly w’at yer ’umble sarvent don’t know, Jhip, I don’t know as ther captain kerries sech breed 0’ animals along wi’ his show or not. My bullfrog bazzoo, howsumever, I al- low might skeer off sum o’ ther ghosts. " “Of oars I Omi yon in, ag ay La planed): Mapeing e giant upon oulder heartily. ty expedition would not be com- plete without you. I will accordingly count you all in for an early start for Mount Rosa in haat stpentes sox, O14 Racteeas © n, accompani y ardpan, Cap- tain Mayburn took his departure and went back to his camp around the Bend. Rosebud Rob and Cinnamon Chip then finished their game, after which they separated for the night, the girl guide going to a room she had engaged in the hotel, and Rosebud going out upon the street, and around to the staples in the rear of the hotel. It was his custom to take a look at his horse nightly before retiring, to see that it had been weil cared for and was all safe. But ponies, as he approached the stables, he thought he heard a restless movement amo the animals, and a moment later he discove that. the r leading into the stable was partly ajar. : ‘‘ Hello! I wonder who’s in there?’ was his first muttered exclamation resulting from the discoyery. ‘‘I don’t believe it’s any of the hostlers, this time of night. I reckon it won’t do any harm to investigate, anyhow.” An ae revolver in either hand, he stepped into a shadow, to wait and listen, for he was satisfied some strange person was among the horses. For some time he heard the uneasy movement among the animals, as if they were afraid of something, and then came to the Sport’s ears sounds of murmuring voices, Evidently there were two persons in the stable instead of one. ; With the untiring patience of a sleuth, Rose- bud waited and watched, and finally was re- warded by seeing the <‘oor cautiously open. Then a man stepped out of doors and peered cautiously around. Seeing no one, evidently he addressed a few - os . " —" - ~ - LN OL AE LE AL AL AL AGEL AL LE nted wi’ spooks an’ | some one within the stable, and a | Cinnamon Chip. ——— ——_ __.. —- —_ —— ee iC ny moment later a second individual rode from the | man is often a great inducement, and the guard stable on a horse, and the horse nome other than the Sport’s own spotted animal, Circus. A whistle of amazement escaped Rosebud’s _ lips, but it did not happen to reach the ears of | the two horse-thieves—for he had no difficulty | in recognizing them as the bully of the town, Dandy Dell, and his balf-breed companion, Lynx, Evidently it was their purpose to steal the | _ Sport’s noble racer, and run him off on the sly, | ' where he could never be found. **T guess the course is all clear,” Dandy Dell | said, addressin sharply around to seif by any chance an ob- server was in the neighborhood. ‘“‘ Be careful in going down the street, and if you encounter any sign of trouble, jest let the out. Go ahead now, and when you have corraled the animal, return here.” ‘Hold on! don’t be so fast about Sune: oc with my horse, if you please!” Rosebud cried, stepping suddenly forward, and covering the two villains simultaneously. witb his revolv- ers. ‘‘I rather reckon Ill take a hand in this little game, and turn a couple of trumps at least !”’ Guthrie uttered a frightful oath, and wes oe ut it move for him. Fora shot from hand pistol suddenly caused him to throw up his hands, and tumble from his sad- breed whipped a pistol from his belt. was an unluck the Sport’s le dle with a fierce death-yell. ‘** Mebbe Rosebud Ro your neck from Lynch’s noose!” ‘*Cuss ye, no! I and darted away across the prairie. Once! twice! thrice the Sport’s pistol spoke Guthrie flinched, but he finally got out of range and in a deadly voice, and each time made for the fort at the top of his speed. CHAPTER VIL. THE SPORT’S WONDERFUL DREAM THe § Colonel scene, ‘‘ Hello!” the colonel exclaimed, seeing the tted horse, and the stiffening half- : t kind of a circus are you having Sport, the s ait Bie out here, Bob?’ ney? Hoetiad roping, eGhtarT sought ta ; ere’s ts, and yonder goes another to- , who, if your esti- thieves,” Rosebud repli the act of appropriating my cayuse. one of the ward the fort at the top of you follow him up, you’ll find mable townsman, Dandy Dell,” “The devil you say! horse, eh?” ‘‘T opine they were, and as I have no oy for a horse-thief, I just relieved the half br and—let the other cuss git away, with sever ounces of lead in his system.” “Good boy! The only fault is that you didn’t drop the dandy, too 7 ITy my the job,” Rosebud Rob returned. “ hearted Colonel Dick said. Rosebud Rob sprung upon his horse, which was saddled and bridled, and dashed away out of the town and down toward the fort. Dandy Dell had by this time reached it, and was nowhere to be seen. On arriving at the gate, the Sport encoun- tered a guard, who leveled bayonet, and de- manded to know what was wanted. ‘You open the gate and get out of the way, or I'll durned soon inform you,” and Rosebu drew arevolver. ‘‘I want tosee the general, and the healthiest thing you can do is to show ‘*He is won’t be dis- him to me.’ ‘**Can’t see him,” the guard replied. in his room, nursing his gout, an turbed. Won’t the lieutenant do.” R “No, sir, the lieutenant won’t do. I just saw him several better than he wanted. Open them gates, [say, and take me to the door of the d mind you, see that my horse is ready tor me, when I general’s room—l’ll do the rest. come out again,’ ou’d better follow his example!” said, turning coolly to Guthrie. ‘*T can accommodate you, if you like, and save ll pass!” the bully cried, and making a sudden bound that the Sport had not been looking for, he cleared the nearest fence rt had scarcely ceased firing when ick, the proprietor of the Girard, and several others e their appearance upon the And these two wor- thies were in the act of running off with your that I couldn’t have completed But, as I am going to take a skull down to the fort and back yet to-night, I may havean opportunity.” ‘‘ Allright; and ef ye get in trouble down there, jest givea Comanche screech, and ther hull town will come to your rescue?” bluff, big- A gleaming six-shooter in the hand of a cool the half-breed, as be glanced | ee ——— LY Tn a a felt that the best thing for him to do was to obey. So he threw open the gates, and led the way into the court-yard. Here Rosebud Rob dismounted, and they both entered the fort. Ascending a flight of stairs, to the second story, the guard showed him the room occupied by the general, and then took his departure. Trying the door, Rosebud found it unlocked, _ and entered without ceremony. The general was in an easy-chair, with his corpulent limbs resting upon another chair, and was engaged in smoking and reading, But he looked up in evident great surprise as Rosebud Rob entered. ‘Pray sit still and do not be alarmed,’ the Sport said, reassuringly, as he coolly helped him - self to a seat, and lit a cigar, ‘I just dropped in to have a little chat With you, concerning your own welfare. I perceive you are suffering om the affliction commonly called gout.” ‘*T am, sir, rey true. I have been annoyed and troubled with it for over three months. ‘‘As I supposed. Now, General Howard, I do not suppose you put any faith in dreams— there is not one in a hundred that does. Still, I have had a very remarkable dream concernin ou, and if you will but give me your kin attention, 1 will relate it toyou, as I believe you will be interested.” ‘*Go on,sir. Although the matter of dreams is the least of my troubles, I will listen to you.” ‘Then I will proceed, To introduce myself my name is Robert oa: eton, but for short, i am called Rosebud Rob. My business is to rove around, and observe things, generally, and when I can expose a crime or bring a criminal to justice, I generally make it a point to do so. A couple of nights since, while camped upon the prairie, a matter of forty miles from here, I had the very singular dream which 1 am about to relate. In listening to my recital, you will please bear in mind that at the time of the dream, I had never heard of ou, and only knew this fort had existence, by earsay. “The first se of my dream opened in this fort, and in this ve room, which, strange as it may seem, had the same appear- ance in my dream as now. You were reclining upon yonder couch, reading, when a young lady entered, robed ina riding habit, and pre- sented you with a box of cigars. You accepted them, with thanks, and then the lady retired to another room. In my dream, curiosity impelled me to follow her. ‘*In the next room she met a man, who looked at her pS apy Oe ““*Oh! it’s all right,’ the lady said, with an evil laugh; ‘he accepted the cigars, and was highl pleased. The case is progressing finely.’ ‘* The general has no suspicion that it isnot gout that is troubling him, then? the Man asked. “¢Oertainly not. The doctor has asured him that it is gout, and he believes it. Jadeed, it has every resemblance to gout, and wil con- tinue to have, until he has finished smo}ing the fourth box of hain when there wil be a change; his whole will swell rapdly, and he will bloat up until there will be a ‘losing of the windpipe, and he can no longer brathe. “Tt is a hellish way of getting ri« of a per- son,’ the man said, with a shudder. ‘**But safe and sure,’ the y woman re- plied. ‘Once the general begins to bloat, no medical power on earth can sav; him, as his system will be too full of the deady poison, in- haled from the cigars. The man vho furnished me with the poison, was a Germs chemist, un- der whose tutelage I was placd,.n New Or- asked, eagerly. oh Yes, long ago, and our onl hope is to keep in his graces, so that he wil)not change it,’ was the reply. | “Then it was, General HowTd, that I awoke, with the likenesses of youyelf and that other man and woman engraven /Pon my memory. Now, sir, what do you thinJof it?” ‘ , man, this is #¢ Most astounding thing I ever listened to/the general gasped, Jeaning forward, his fag colorless, and eyes wv bearing a wild, frighten’ expression. ‘‘ Are you a human being, orTé you some infernal thing in the guise of a44n, come here to tor- ture me with this fright! story?” _ ‘‘T have never yson to believe that I same as other p= this earth,” Rosebud Rob replied, with a sn‘®- “COMIC | IOOKS eans.’ ‘‘« Has the general made hiWill? the man (E(0) f