Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 13 — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

* 4 ——--—- The death of Thoms was soon discovered by_ his red allies, and a cry of dismay pealed from their lips. By this time, however, our friends were some dis- tance away, and whether it was owing to the De- mon’s stioke or not, they met with no further diffi- culty during the night. The night wore away quicker than they had wished for, for, under its cover, they had hoped to reach the river, Which was still some distance away. Besides, the sun threatened to disperse the fog, for at times it would rise upward from the plain, leaving the whole expanse uncovered, but the next instant it would fall again, darker and denser than ever. ‘“‘That risin’ and fallin’, risin’ and fallin’ of the fog,’ said Hurricane, “is a sure sign that it’s going to leave afore long.”’ . The party halted for a few Minutes on the plain to rest and partake of the meager supply of refresh- ments prepared before leaving the fort. Half an hour found them again in motion, and they had begun to congratulate themselves on their escape from the enemy's toils, when su denly a cur- rent of air swept across the plain; the fog lifted from its bosom like a banner of ethereal lacework, and there, on a little eminence, not fifty paces from the weary whites, stood fully two score of Indian warriors gazing directly at them! CHAPTER XXIII. DODGING THE DEATH HOUNDS. ‘On, God, we are in the demons’ toils!” cried Cap- tain Rossgrove, at sight of the savages. ‘‘ Friends, we are doomed—”’ The rest of his words were drowned in a yell that pealed from two score of savage throats, mingled with the crack of as many rifles, that cut the fog around them, and as the bullets, fired at random whistled over the heads of our. friends, they seemed to sweep away the current of air that had raised the fog, for almost at the same instant the mist settled down upon the plain. concealing the two parties from the eyes of each other. Then the swift rush of savage feet was heard ap- proaching, and wild yells rolled through the foggy air. ‘‘Come! come!” cried Old Hurricane, grasping Dolly by the hand and hurrying away in a course at right angles with the one they had been pursuing, closely followed by his friends. This movement was unseen by the foe, who rush- ed wildly forward—passed the angle of the fugitives’ course, and rushed on into the gloom, supposing they, the fugitives, had turned and iled away in the direction they had come. The old hunter’s do had proven a success: he had eluded the foe—for a time at least, They heard the deluded savages far behind them, and from the noise they made, it was evident that they were searching for the trail of the whites. ‘*Let’s hurry on, friends, while we are clear of the varlets,”’ said the Old Land Pilot; ‘‘ they have noses keen on the trail as a hound, and if they once strike ours in the damp, trodden grass, they'll dog us to death,” ‘* Yes, let us lose no time,’’ added Rossgrove, “ for this is our last chance for escape.”’ * “T don't think we're fur from the river, now; and if this fog would just hang a little longer, we'd be all safe. But you see it’s preparin’ to break away. The sun is drawin’ it upward and packin’ it into clouds. gee of wind might lift the whole thing to heaven, and leave us exposed to savage eyes.”’ ‘*Oh, I pray Heaven it will last till we are safe!” cried Camilla, in a tone of despair. ‘*Hark! hark!’ cried the old hunter, gazing back over his shoulder like a stag at is ‘* What now, Hurricane!” asked Rossgrove. *““Ah me!” cried the old borderman; ‘the lopin’ -hounds have aught our trail in the damp grass! Forward, friends, for the river; the crisis is comin’ !”’ With a silence that told of deep inward fears, the fugitives quickened their footsteps into a run. ns three hundred yards behind the foe could be heard. e To add to the fears of the fugitives they saw that the fog around them was ter, and that a ht of air was lifting it grad y upward from the plain. : “Tam afraid it’s all up with us, Hurricane, said Harry Dudley; “the fog is rising from the plain, and—’’ “Never say die, Harry, with that little el. at our side,” replied Hurricane. “ Let us trust to the God of battles fur help. It’s not my own scalp that I prize so dearly—I wouldn't run a thousand miles to save it—but these gentle ones is what’s stirrin’ me up.” “ Ah, uncle Hurricane!” cried Dora, “ you have risked every thing for us, and—”’ “ Ah! the fog is goin’! A current 0 r sucked across the plain at this a es rolling the fog ae into the heavens, reveal- ng the plain for miles and miles, A glance backward showed the sav in wild pur- suit. Before wenn, not over eighty away, rolled the Des Moines river. “There it is—the river—right there!” cried Ransom endall. . ‘We will never reach it,” cried Captain Rossgrove ; ** the sav will overhaul us before— He did not complete the sentence; a sullen boom burst upon the air, and at the same instant a cannon ball came screaining through the heavy air and plow- ed its way through the ranks of the pursuing red- skins. ‘‘ Saved! saved! thank God!” cried Rossgrove, com- ing to a sudden halt. ‘Yas. Let's take it cool, now, as a mountain top,”’ added Old Hurricane; “ the boys with the boat The Dumb Spy. are at the app’inted place, and it’s well they sent a leetle assistance hereaways, for the devils were pres- sing us hard. But they'll give us no further trouble | —see, they’ve stopped and are huntin’ up the pieces of their friends that cannon ball scattered over the | plain, A good shot war that, and, sweet Moses! hear the boys on the boat a-yellin’ for glory.” The little band mained on. The river was reached. Then the boat was swung in toward the shore, and a plank was shoved out, the fugitives taken aboard, and the next moment all were homeward drifting. CHAPTER XXIV. THE MYSTERY OF THE DEMON. ‘* THANK God, we are out of the land of outlaws and savages—away from the scenes of Scarlet Death and his victims!” Thus spoke Captain Rossgrove in a spirit of joy, as the boat resumed its downward course on the ese oig following the day of their embarkation for 1ome. During the first day Indians had been seen skulk- ing along the shore, and our friends anticipated some trouble, but they were happily disappointed and permitted to pass undisturbed beyond the ene- mies’ country. Two men were kept tages Sex the sweeps, be- ing relieved every hour, and in this manner the boat was urged forward with considerable speed. How- ever, it was a trip of considerable inactivity to friends, to be thus hampered and confined upon the boat. It is true a hours were spent in recount- ing their adventures in locating claims, and in list- ening to Old Hurricane and Noisy Nat “spin their rarns.’’ And the daring adventures of the Dumb Spy in Spain, proved the most thrilling of all the stories, told in Wild Dick’s most jocular vein. ‘There is one thing,”’ said Harry Dudley, during a lull in the general entertainments of story-telling and singing, ‘‘that I would have given a great de: to have had solved before we left efiance, and that is the mystery connected with the Demon of the Des Moines.’ “And here, too, Harry,’’ responded Rossgrove; ** there is popething sey singular about that aveng- er, and yet I can’t help but think he is no more than a& common human, possessed of a little more than common ability in some things.” “Boys,” said Noisy Nat, “you are all mistaken, for J see’d the Demon that night the Injuns got into the fort. horns and cloven feet, and I see’d balls o’ fire float outen its mouth, so I did.” ' “YT think, Nat, you saw ail that after the Indian struck you down.” : ** No, no,”’ persisted Nat, “I'll sw’ar I see’d it be fore. It’s no use talkin’, boys, I see’d it /” “Time’ll solve the mystery properly,” said Old Hurricane, as if anxious to dismiss the subject. ‘** Yes,”’ replied Rossgrove; “ perhaps we will hear more ot Scarlet Death when we go back to settle our hard-earned claims, purchased with the lives of two of our comrades,” ‘Wal, you can’t say, boys,” said Wild Dick, “ but that Scarlet Death has favored you some.” ‘True, Dick; he has favored us on more than one occasion, and that is what makes me all the more desirous of knowing who or what the Demon is,”’ said Rossgrove, ‘But, not changing the subject, boys, I opine the best days of Reckless Ralph and his cut-throats are about over. of the law just for the privilege of leading a party of dragoons to the extermination of a good portion of the Dispute. Moreover, the information we possess hag an end to river-piracy above St. Louis, at east.” “Hello, there! a settlement!’ suddenly shouted one of the men, All eyes were turned shoreward, and as the boat rounded an abrupt bend in the river, they saw a number of log cabins grouped together on the bluffs overlooking the stream. ‘* That’s an old tradin’-post, boys,’’ said Old Hurri- cane, “I stayed them a purty réasonable set of fellers.”’ As they drew near the come down the bluff and stop on the beach near where a small canoe was moored. One of them car- ried ‘a traveling-baz. They would glance toward our friends’ craft, then at one another as though conversing about it. At length the man with the traveling-bag stepped into the canoe before them, and taking up the paddle, headed directly toward the flat-boat. As he approached it was seen that he was dressed in a citizen’s suit of black, and that he was a man of years, as his long, white hair and beard indicated. The stranger hailed our friends and asked the per- mission of a moment's talk. It was granted, and he “ river?’ “To the Mississippi, by this conveyance,” replied Rossgrove. ‘Are you loaded so that you would not take an- other passeuger—myself?’’ “If you desire to take passage with us, you can do se spouse our accommodations are not of the st. ‘Thank you,” said the old man, kindly, and turn- ing, he waved an adieu to those watching him on the shore, then ran alongside of the raft, and was as- sisted aboard of it. “This is a decided streak of good-luck, falling in y I inquire how far you are going down the — eae ee thing I can do toward assisting along, let it be known, gentlemen.”’ ee We have plenty of hands to run the boat, Mr.— mr. ‘Henry Farnesworth,”’ said the stranger. ‘“Farnesworth?” repeated Rossgrove. ‘Well, Mr. Farnesworth, try and make yourself perfectly at ease. We are all trying to enjoy ourselves the best we can after a fortnight of dangers and trouble.” “A pleasure-party, I would judge from the presence _ of those bright faces yonder,” said ft arnesworth, I shall court the favor | I see’d it jist as plain as wink. I see’d its | waving his hand toward the females, who were lean- ing over the side of the boat, gazing down into the water, and laughing and chatting merrily. ‘“We have been Gut on the Black-Hawk Reserve, staking out Claims,’’ said Rossgrove, “ and by a com- bination of events, those ladies were thrown into our company.”’ ‘‘I was not aware of the whites being allowed to pre-empt land on the Black-Hawk Reserve, at least, not until after next May.” ‘We were fortunate enough to get a permit of Black-Hawk himself to select and stake out our claims, to be entered when the Indians’ title expires, but if cost us a deal of fighting and trouble.” “ITsee you are prepared for fighting,” said Mr. Farnesworth, with a significant glance at the howit- zer. We captured that from our enemies,”’ said Ross- grove. “Indeed?” said the old man; ‘“‘have the aborigines become so far advanced in civilized w as to possess cannon ?”’ ‘** No; we took that from a nest of outlaws.” At this juncture Camilla joined her husband, who introduced her to the new passenger; as he did also a number of his companions. The old gentleman now mingled with the party in general, rte he had but little to say, being of a still, retiring disposition. The captain noticed, how- ever, that he was a very close observer, examining everything about the boat very minutely. And when Wild Dick was addressed, in a jocular manner, as the Dumb Spy, it was observed that the stranger manifested more than ordinary curiosity; and at times his eyes were seen to to fixed, first upon Wild Dick, then upon his mute brother, Witless Seth, with a strange expression. To still add to the curiosity of the captain, he noticed that the eyes of Witless Seth followed the form of the stranger almost con- stantly, when his—the stranger’s—face was turned. However, he thought this might all come of noth- ing more than simple curiosity, and thought but lit- tle about it until Old Hurricane came up, and, pluck- ing him aside, said: “Captain, have ben noticed how that ole gentle- man watches Wild Dick and Witless Seth, and how = hs dogs the steps of the stranger "bout the at?” “T have remarked to myself about the. fact, and came to the conclusion -that if there was ying more than simple curiosity about it, some of the would notice it also,”’ a this juncture Harry Dudley ,approached and said: * Boys, have you noticed peculiarities about Witless Seth sinee that-old eantiocnan came aboard of our boat?’’ > nget robe. of it,’’ replied ve; ‘“We were just speaki ‘but here comes Noisy Nat; let’s see what he has to offer.” 7 _ Talkin’ privacy, boys?” asked the hunter, ¢om- ing up. ‘“‘ Well, then, I'm o’ the opinion thar’s sum’- thin’ goin’ to happen aboard o' this boat. I never see’d a human bein’ Jook so much like a tiger as that - Witless Seth does sometimes, when that stranger’s there a week once, and I found | t, they saw three men — back is turned. , his eyes turn green and his Se os and twitch like claws—see! look at im now!”’ All turned, and were not a little surprised by what they saw. Henry Farnesworth stood leaning on the gunwale of the boat, gazing shoreward, in a kind of mental abstraction. Behind him, and a little to one side, stood the mute, Witless Seth, his eyes fixed upon the old man with a fearful gaze. His form was crouched like that of a tiger, one foot being placed in advance of the other, as preparing to sp upon Farnesworth. “By the gods of Olympus!” exclaimed Old Hurri- cane, “he’s goin’ for the ole stranger—there, look!” They saw a round ball drop from the sleeve of the mute into his hand, then he drew back his arm and — e bail with all his power at the head of the stranger. A ery rent the air, and He Farnesworth stag- gered and fell heavily to the deck, a death-groan pealing from his lips. “My God, the mute has murdered him!” cried eager ve, springing to the fallen man’s side. But, Witless Seth was there before him, and, stoo ing, he tore a of false whiskers pre fromm the face and of the fallen man, and those who had known him gazed upon the face of a the outlaw captain! The villain was just breathing his last, and a sud- den cry of surprise burst from the claim-stakers’ lips when Wild Dick turned the head of the outlaw, ar eave om death-mark of —— Death, 4 AR. rove, “ mystery is explained! Witless Seth, tema is Scarlet Dea | the Demon of the Des Moines!” with you, gentlemen,” said the old man, with appar- | _ joy. “I ns roa: sinola, and have been on a —_ my son, who at yonder trading-post. was vast starting home and tut for this streak of the alone ina canoe. And now, if there is any- J suck, getting in with you, I would have had to make | p CHAPTER XXV. For several minutes nen obneternati ailed minu ation prev aboard the boat. The discoveries of Fatnoaworth be the outlaw chief, and Witless Seth. th a being the terrible Scarlet Death, had ee _ party with surprise and astonishment, But all final- I00 EGOMIE cS (E(0)