Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 13 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

Se! - The Dumb Spy. His friends ran to his side, and found he was dead! He had been stabbed in the breast, with a broad- bladed knife. But who had dealt the blow? Was it the vengeance of Heaven invoked by Dolly? A look of terror seitled upon the features of Thoms and the warriors. Even the captives felt a shudder creep over them. A silence deep as that of death settled over the place, and in the midst of it Dolly suddenly became — of a low, suppressed breathing behind er. She mechanically turned her head and gazed around her. She saw nothing, for nothing was be- hind her but the motionless form in the blanket. Upon this, however, her attention was at length fixed, and she started with a chill of terror creeping over her, and her heart seemed to — into her throat and choke her, when she discovered a pair of gleaming, scintillating eyes fixed upon her a small holes ap the sane in which she supposed the dead savage wrap ’ Aimost simultaneous with this discovery—before she could command utterance to speak, or cry out— she saw a sudden movement of the blanket, and the supposed lifeless form began a. rapidly along the ground. A few evolutions freed the body of the old hunter from the environing folds of the blankets; then with a shout, equal to the roar of a lion, he sprung to his feet, and charged upon the astonished, terrified enemy. ‘*Down, down to the brimstone pit!" he roared, as he struck right and left; ‘*‘ down, you essence of sin! Whoop! whoop! hoof it, you cowardly guttersnipe!”’ The last words were directed to Thoms, who, see- ing his savage friends knocked in every direction, ae turned and sought safety by flight into the orest. The savages had been taken completely by sur- prise; and before they could recover from their ter- ror in time to draw a weapon, the old hunter’s iron right fist and heavy knife had sent them to earth, and the next moment Harry Dudley and the Boy Ranger were free, Here let us drop the curtain over the scene that followed. Ten minutes later, Old Hurricane, followed by the young surveyor, the Boy Ranger, and the two fair maidens—the latter mounted upon the youth’s horse —were making their way eastward through the forest. And still ten minutes later, Abel Mobile, with two led horses, rode into the circle of light beneath the spreading branches of the Two Oaks. **Gone!"’ exclaimed the ruffian, with a chuckle of satisfaction; “but I see they’ve stretched the gal. thieves in good order, and oh! sweet glory! if Old Hurricane was only hanging there too— es!”’ As he had entered the radius of light, he had caught sight of two persons hanging from a limb of one of the oaks, and the first impression was, of course, that Thoms and his companions had hung the young ranger and surveyor, and ged had pushed on; but a second glance told him that the two bodies hanging a sore and earth were those of his red allies And a quick glance around him discovered to him the body of the outlaw, Jack rege lying where it had fallen under the fatal blow of Old Hurricane. ‘Filled with a sudden terror, the outlaw turned his animal’s head, and galloped away into the then in- viting shadows of the woods, pursued by the phan- tom of vengeance. CHAPTER XIII. OUR FLAG IS THERE! We pass over a period of three days and again take up the thread of our story. a little valley, compassed on three sides by tall, wooded bluffs, and on the fourth side by the Des Moines river, the claim-stakers had erected a little defense, which, after the spirit of their forefathers, they named Fort Defiance. The topographical loca- tion of the defense had been well considered in view of the natural advantages it afforded. The valley was treeless and shrubless, and unbroken by hills or depressions on its surface. It was of about thirty arces in extent, and sha like a crescent, the river defining the face or straight line, A little stream found its way across the plain and poured its waters into theriver. It was one of those remarkable streams frequently met with upon the prairies of the West, resembling more an artificial channel than a natural creek; and there was noth- ing in the appearance of the banks to indicate the Teeny of a stream any distance away. When you d stand upon the banks, however, you would only see a narrow channel, filled with water, and almost concealed by the tall grass on each side mag ling over it. But, by actual measurement t stream would be found to be from two to six feet deep. The claim-stakers had, with a view to an ample supply of water, erected their little fort, so that this creek, traversing the plain, flowed directly through the inclosure, the basement of the latter resting al- most upon the water's surface, The little defense had been constructed over the creek about five rods from the river. The logs with which it was built had been drawn from the woods across the plain with the mule teams belonging to the party. Some stones were used in its construc- tion, and every side had been well provided with loops and other means to insure a vigorous defense and certain victory should they be attacked. In one corner of the fort a separate apartment had been made for the accommodation of Dora and Dol- ly, whom Old Hurricane had placed under the pro- tection of the little band, they having reached the a ee | camp of the claim-stakers in safety on that sa: e eventful night which had witnessed the drama at the | Two Oaks. The whole band seemed highly delighted with this | new addition to their number; for, while those two fair and innocent girls would add to their responsi- bilities, their presence inspired all with a spirit of chivalrous devotion, and strengthened their courage and resolution. During the construction of the fort, Wild Dick, the Dumb Spy, had kept the Indians and robbers away by artifice, so skillfully played that his Leet eee were never suspected. In the meantime he had kept his friends posted as to the movements of the enemy. On the second night after the completion of the fort, Dick made his appearance there, with informa- tion that put the claim-stakers in a state of great un- easiness. “The devil’s to pay, Cap,”’ he said, in reply to a uestion from Rossgrove; ‘‘the robbers and red- skins have diskivered your fort, and they’re burnin’ with rage and vengeance. Old Black Hawk can’t do anything with his rebellious warriors—the robbers hev got the upper hand of him—and thar’s a plot on foot to assassinate the chief. They're goin’ to attack the fort, and they’ve sent me out to make a recon- noissance—me, ha! ha! ha!” ‘** How soon do they propose to make the attack?” ‘** Not afore to-morrow night. Then look out, boys, fur they're in ‘arnest. Ole Abe Mobile has found out his gals, as he calls ‘em, are here, and him and Cale Thoms swear they'll bring down the heavens but what they’ll have ‘em; and you, Hurricane—why, they've been figurin’ three days as how they'd pun- ish you fur your interference at the Two Oaks.”’ *“*Ho! ho! ho!’ roared Old Hurricane. “I s’pect they are a leetle frothy, but, when they at *em girls, it'll be when this old carcass is cold. By heavens, them girls are wuth fightin’ fur—they inspire me with strength and courage big as a mountain, and I could fight fur them little critters as I could for my own galorious country !”’ ‘True! true, Hurricane! and here’s with you,” shouted a number of the brave, stalwart Kentuck- ians. “What else have you to report, Dick?’ asked ek A > = the robbers are havin’ a good deal of trou- ble,” said Dick, ‘fur, besides you fellers, Scarlet Death is pepperin’ a few of their men.” At mention of this name a perceptible movement yee the party, for they had all witnessed enough of that mysterious Demon's work to fill them with no little wonder and fear, bordering on superstition. ** Have they oe idea who or what the Demon is?"’ asked Harry Dudley. “Not in the least. Howsumever, they think he can be destroyed, and big efforts are bein’ made to that effect.” ‘**Bah!"’ exclaimed Noisy Nat, “they mout as well try to hold a shader or catch a spirit, fur I believe— and I’m not superstitious, boys, not by a long shot— I believe the Demon’s an invisible avengin’ angel, put here by the will o’ Heaven.” * Wal, not changin’ the subject, boys,” said Dick, **T’ve sumthin’ else to tell you. I've found the treas- ure-house of the outlaws.’ ** Indeed ?”’ “Yas, and it’s not over a mile from here.” ** Anything in it?’’ **Tt's chuck full 0’ boxes, big and little, filled with everything imaginable, I tell ye them Disputers are a tough set o’ larks, and carry on their piracy on a wholesale scale. I’ve learned that Reckless Rob, the robber chief, owns a leetle stern-wheel steamer on the Missasip’ that plies atwixt St. Loueyand Bloom- field as an honest craft, but the fact is, whenever that steamer gits a cargo o’ valuable goods, the river pirates stops the boat and boards it, and, after taking all they can find wuth takin’, en f t the boat go on, and the pirates hussel the g ht up here to their ve fo “ pe o see into . t ~ Si piracy business ~ € powers so long?’ “It looks a leetle probable,”’ said Gittatan “Yes, and we may reap a double reward from our adventures yet,” om Hg Rossgrove. “ That's true, Cap,” said Dick, “‘ and as the enemy are likely to lay siege to your fort, I'd advise you to lay in a supply of ammunition from their store while you can.” “Have they ammunition concealed in the cavern of which you speak?” es, eve Cap, hig from beginnin’ to eend; includin’ silk goods, rich carpets, silverware and jewelry wuth thousands and thousands.” “Yes, we ought to have, and I think will have a supply of ammunition,” sald Rossgrove, “‘and if the are in need of anything in the way of clothing, ey shall have it, It's true the goods are no more ours than the outlaws’, but necessity will obligate the confiscation, and it may be a help toward “That’s the ¢ brin those robbers to justice.” rospel, John,” said Old vag! “and you app’int a party to go after the things, an be sure and pe, es me one of them, for I’m good on totin’ things—ekal to a mule.” “Very well, I'll appoint you for one; now select Sa stab a and go for the treasure cave,” said Vv “Wal, this is conferrin’ undesarved honors on me, Cap; but I'll jist name Wild Dick, the Boy ’ an Harry Dudley to go with me, and the rest of you can defend the fort and them little gn The matter being thus settled, the four took their a from the fort, Wild Dick leading the way. hour later found them in the secret cavern, among the stolen goods of the i eyeumpro light be- ous ing pre , it revealed to their ey heap of boxes, bundles, barrels, and Placing one of their number on guard at the en- 11 trance of the cave, the others proceeded to examine the contents of the boxes. Hurricane, anxious for Dolly and Dora’s comfort, secured a large quan- per 2 of such things as he thought could be made use- ful by them in furnishing their wardrobe and apart- ments. The others secured a goodly are, of am- munition, and then, having concealed all traces of their work as well as they could, they took their de- parture for the fort. Arrived there in safety, Old Hurricane was ad- mitted to Dora and Dolly’s room with the goods he had Tee ae for them. Depositing the bundle on the floor, he said: “ There, children, are some fix-ups for you.” “Thank you, Uncle Hurricane, for being so con- siderate of our comfort,’’ said Dora, as the old bor- derman left the room, The maidens’ womanly curiosity to know what the bundle contained was at once aroused, and they pro- ceeded to open it. The first thing that met their eyes was a roll of rich carpeting, over which they had a hearty laugh as they compared it with their surroundings, They found, also, some rolls of various-colored silks, some woollen and cotton fabrics, needles, thread, combs, and even some fancy jewelry. ““I declare, Dora,”’ said the vivacious little Dolly, with a merry laugh, “Uncle Hurricane has been quite considerate of our welfare anc comfort.” pip so far as silks are concerned, although they will be of no use whatever to us.” “Why, yes they will, Dora. I was just wi for something of the kind. You see, we have a to perform in the defense of Fort Defiance. We are all a little band of American patriots, and yet we have nothing by which a foe might know under. what flag we are fighting.” “Oh, Dolly, you little chit! I see what you are driving at now. I would never have thought of such a thing. So let’s do it. We have Mee None here that would be desired to accomplish the eb- ee and then it wiii be such a pleasant surprise to e men.” “ But we will have to let one or two into our se- cret?’’ said Dolly. ee let it be the two that stand guard to-morrow ‘Very well, sweet sister; but we can be our work at once,”’ said Dolly, and thus we leave them for the time being. After having imparted all the information of which he was possessed concerning the robbers, Wild Dick took his de for Spain. Sentinels had been posted soon after nightfall, but the night passed quietly away. All were astir early the following morning, and the day was passed in strengthening the little fort for the att threatened the coming night. During the day the maidens learned from Captain Rossgrove that Old Hurricane and Harry Dudley would stand guard the coming night, and so they embraced the first o tpt x of letting them into their little secret. The old borderman was greatly taken with the spirit of the fair girls’ enterprise, — pledged his assistance to them in carry it out. The day wore away, and the shadows of night again infolded the valley. The sentinels took their post, while the others retired to their quarters to rest and sleep. Wild Dick was to be on the alert and give them a signal an hour before the attack on the fort was to be made. This gave the claim- stakers ease of mind, as they would have ample time to get ready for the foe after Dick's notice was given. The forepart of the night was dark and still. There was no wind, oe to break the silence of the hour, save the soft e of the little stream flowing through the fort. e little valley seemed inclosed by a black wall of darkness. The tall trees on the eastern shore of theriver reared their dark heads high athwart the sky, while the wooded bluffs to the westward frowned darkly down upon the little plain below. As the hours wore away, the moon came up, np za A the landscape with its mellow radiance; but dark clouds that were floating across the face of the heavens ts disk ever and anon, making checkers of light and shadow on the earth. The men jn their shelter slept soundly, all uncon- scious “. —— was going ri around yon How- ever, as the hours wore on, they were al] suddenly startled from their slumber by the sound of voices, “What's up?’’ questioned Captain Rossgrove, starting from his sleep. | “Hark! Listen, captain. Some one is singing— it’s the girls; Dora and Dolly, and other voices ac- company them—it’s the voices of Old Hurricane and at et ee, re enraptured by the sweet ey sats apparen y the seductive notes as they thrilled out in melodious strains upon the air, and every one bent his ear to catch the words: S Ob, may can you see by the dawn’s early Pay so proudly we hailed at the ’s last Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the ous fight) we O’er the ramparts we watched were 80 gallantly streaming," etc, As if actuated a single impulse, the men sprung from their pe and rushed out to where e singers were standing. A light breeze fanned their cheeks as they entered the open court, and Soe oe like the soft rustle of a oat wing above them f se ee They lifted their eyes apward, just then the moon came out from nd a cloud, and showed them a beautiful the stars and stripes—floating gracefully out = ip COMIIGDOOKS GO