Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 13 — page 2: what you’re looking at

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

Pr a —_——$ stakers reclined in attitudes of ease and repose, chAtting, smoking and listening to their guides “* spin yorns”’ of their adventures u es the border. A number of fine-looking rifles reclined against the ti anks of surrounding trees, while at one side lay a fio z-pole, sur eyor’s compass and chain. ‘hey were encamped upon a tract of land known athe Blac’ -Hawk Reserve, belonging to the Sacs a d Fox Indians. But in less than one year from that time, the title of the latter would expire, and th > reserve be thrown open to the white man’s occu- pancy. Japtain John Rossgrove, the leader of the claim- stakers, had, long before, conceived the idea of game ing a colony in fhe new territory of Iowa, and hav- ing selected from his list of acquaintances such men as he knew would stand by him in times of eer and adversity, they struck out for the country of the unper Des Moines. The Black-Hawk Reserve at- trcted their attention, and having readily perceived its great natural advantages, they at once selected it as the land of théir future home, and proceeded to locate and stake off claims, ready for pre-emption as soon as the Indians’ title was remitted in May of the following year. They had been in the territory several days when we introduce them to the reader; and although their proceedi were in violation of the Government treaty with the celebrated chief, Black Hawk, they had -obtained from the latter a private permit to se- lect lands on certain conditions, which they endeav- ored to observe very strictly. But, despite all this care and precaution, they little dreamed of the dan- gers gathering around them, Captain Rossgrove, the leader of the party, was about twenty-five years of age. He was a man of fine accomplishments, brave and handsome. A few days prior to his departure from home, he had wedded one of the fairest daughters of the land, and it was with a joyous heart he received the fond part- ing kiss of them a home in the great West. And thoughis of his wife—of her waiting and watching for his return —proved a keen spur to all acts and movements. Nat Taylor, or Noisy Nat, as he was usually called on account of his inborn jocularity, was the eldest of the two hunters, being about five-and-forty years of age. Wild Dick, as the other guide was called, was not over thirty years of age, and in form was small, but strong and wiry. He had attained the sobriquet of Wild Dick from the wild, startled expression always in his large blue eyes, and a nervous quickness in his niovements not unlike that common to wild animals, Born and bred on the frontier, he had been schooled anid its wildest scenes and’dangers; hence, he had imbibed much of the characteristic wildness of the woods and prairies. As the hours wore away, the campfire became ne- glected in the all-absorbing stories of the two hunt- ers, and at last the party found themselves in almost total darkness. However, it was replenished, and as its light reached out further and further into the gicom, it révealed to the eyes of the party an object itherto unobserved. Pas By snakes, it’s a hornet’s nest!” exclaimed Noisy at. “*So it is,’’ replied Harry Dudley, the surveyor; **hadn’t it better be removed? Its inhabitants ht disturb our repose.”’ __ “*No, Mr. Surveyor,” replied Nat, “if we'll let the ‘hornets alone, they'll not pester us. I have a natu- ral love fur the little critters. Why, pore you wouldn’t b’lieve me if I war to tell ye tha sich an — thing as a nest o’ hornets saved my R from a o’ red-skins, onc’t,” *‘Humph} that’s nothin’, ejaculated Wild Dick; *““T saved a dozen or more lives onc’t jist by crookin my fingers a few times, and so I'll tell ye "bout it. You see I had a brother—a twin-brother, too, and we looked so much alike that I could hardly tell which was tother, Eyes, hair, forms and feat’ers war jist e— ‘*See here, Dick,” interrupted Old Nat, “if you war SO much alike, how do you know which one you are?’ : “Td tell you how. My brother Seth was deaf and dumb, but he warn’t no fool, I can tell you. He l’arnt the mutes’ alphabet—that is, he l'arnt to talk with his fingers. I larnt too, and so we could talk with our fingers jist-as fast as you and me can with our tongues, and that’s sayin’ a good deal. We war both livin’ away up north, in a little shanty, and war en- gaged in huntin’ and trappin’; for I’d have you ow Seth war a tip-top hunter. One day I left Seth and went out into the woods to look ar- ter a b’ar-trap, and what should I do but run into the clutches of about a hundred Ingins, on the war-path. They threatened to kill me, and scalp and play thunder in gineral unless I'd guide them, by the nearest known route, to a certain fort which they wanted to destroy, You see they belonged a long ways to the south and wer'n’t acquainted with the country. A thought struck me. I told ’em I'd show ’em the way if ong, let me goto my cabin fust. They refused, so I concluded to die ruther than betray my friends at the fort. When the reds see’d I war in earnest "bout dyin’, they concluded to let me go to the cabin, but they war to go along, and threatened me with instant death if I spoke to any one at the cabin. I promised ’em I wouldn't, and fur fear of an accident, and to help cover my inten- tions, I had ‘em puta piece of blanket over my mouth, an then off we marched to thecabin. Brother Seth met us at the door. The Ingins paid no attention to hi_1 when they see’d he couldn't speak, for they sup- posed he war demented, and you all know how:a red- skin regards a crazy person. My escort didn’t un- ders.and finger-talk, so while I Was busy ‘bout the ecavin, and gettin’ my gun and knife and sich things, s young bride, and struck out to find. —— —+- ett Ce I kep’ up an animated conversation with brother and never once did the reds suspect what war up. told him the pickle I warin, and what I had promised to do to save my life. So as soon as I had set off with the Ingins for the fort, Seth leant out, too. He took a roundabout way and beat my Ingins thar more’n two hours. Wal, to make a long story short, when them reds attacked the garrison, they got gloriously licked, and not one of the soljers got a scratch. And that’s how I saved the fort and sev- eral men by crookin’ my fingers a few times.”’ “That's pretty good, Dick,” said Captain Ross- grove; “but where is your brother Seth now?” ** God only knows. haven't seen him these five ears, captain. The last I heard of him he war mong the Hudson Bay Fur men. He war a eee et O the'rn, and the best trapper in the hull ca- oodle. I sw’ar, boys—"" and a tear moistened the eye of the hunter—“I’d give a good deal to see that boy. Ithink I’ve been a leetle keerless *bout him. He couldn't git through the world like the rest of us, and I promised my ole dying mother I'd keep a watch on witless Seth, as he war always called, tho’ he wer’n’t witless by a long shot, I can tell ye. Poor Seth! Jist as soon as I git through with you fellers I’m goin’ to see ‘bout him, if Scarlet Death don’t put a pink spot on my temple.” ‘Then you fear that reputed Demon?” said Cap- tain Rossgrove. ‘*Why shouldn’t we all fear him? He deals death to both white and red.” ‘*Then you really believe that there is such a crea- ture as Scarlet Death, the Demon of the Des Moines?”’ * B’lieve it? Why, Cap, I knowit! Hav’n’t I see’d lots. of his victims, and his hoof-prints on the earth?” ‘‘That’s so Cap,”’ added Noisy Nat; ‘‘ I’ve witness- ed the same myself,” ‘** But never seen the Demon itself?’’ _ “*No, nor no one else. He’s invisible. But there’s no gettin’ ‘round thar being such a critter, for he makes a good many buryings for the folks over on the * Dispute,” and the Ingins.”’ ‘* Well,’ said ve, “if this country is infested with devils. it will not be a healthy place for a col- on ae af Wal, thar’s one Demon sure, and he’s tuff on the population,” said Wild Dick. ‘* We'll be apt to see is hoof-prints beforo long, mebby.”’ “Then he is cloven-footed, eh?’ “Yes, makes a track like an ox; but thar’s only two tracks, else I'd think an ox, or suthin’ of the kind, made the tracks. Ugh! It makes the chills a over me.” ‘* And why is the monster called Scarlet Death?”’ ‘* Because a small, round scarlet spot on the tem- ple, just afore the ear, isthe only mark he leaves up- on a victim. Be never breaks the skin or draws blood, but seems to. strike with the deadly swiftness of the Ig nene S flash. What he strikes with, no one knows, but I do know—” I'urther speech was here interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. The next instant a stran- ger made his appearanee within the radius of light rom the gloom of the woods. He was a tall, villain- ous-looking fellow, with black, snaky eyes, a low, sullen brow, and rough, sensual face. e was dressed in the garb of an Indian, and the unceremo- nious manner in which he stalked into camp, con- vinced our friends that he was there with no triend- ly intentions. “Good-evening, stranger,” said Captain Rossgrove, in his free, cordial manner, rising to his feet, and ad- vancing to meet the man. “Well, good-evenin’,”’ returned the latter; “ but then, you needn’t stgre a feller out of countenance. I'm sure I’m not sich an object of curiosity.” ** Hope you'll excuse ou7 want of manners,” said Rossgrove, in a tone slightly tainted with sarcasm, ‘“‘but whom have [ the honor of addressing?’’ ‘“M. Jules Devreaux. I am business-agent of the Sacs and Fox Indians, and hold my appointment from the United States Government.’ “Indeed! Glad to meet you, M. Jules Devreaux,”’ “Perhaps, when you learn my business here, you will have reason to chaiige your mind.” ““IThope your business is not of an unpleasant character. However, we are prepared to listen to whatever you may haye to say,” said Rossgrove. , “Well, sir,’ began en pet eo Freuchman, “I resume you are aware our ng trespassers on the Black-Hawk Reserve?” oe ‘*IT know no such thing,” replied Rossgrove; “we. are here by permit.” ‘* By permit of whom?” ‘“One that has authority,” replied the captain, ‘and we are taking no liberties that will conflict with the conditions of that permit.”’ ‘But they will with the treaty of ‘your Govern- ment. This land belongs to the Sacs and Fox In- dians, and for days have you been chaining it, and setting up landmarks, without the permission of the rightful owners.” “The Indians have expressed no desire for us to peti and we are Rag yy gee: sites for homes which we propose to build up when the Indians’ ti- tle to thee. lane expires.” Y “er “Hal ha! hal” laughed Devreaux, sarcastically; ‘you're a progressive set, to take time thus by the forelock, at the risk of losing your scalps. It’s quite a year yet until the Indians’ title to these lands ex- pires, and when it does, we propose to renew our claim. Therefore, begone at once!’ “Your insolence, sir,” said Rossgrove, growing somewhat indignant at the man’s insulting language, ‘is equal to your want of good sense, and—”’ “That expresses it, Cap,”’ chimed in Noisy Nat. ‘Tf you wish to transact any business with us,” continued Rossgrove, “you will do so in language becoming a man, or leave our camp at once.” A low, defiant laugh escaped the villain’s lips. Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. ee “Impudent, sir, you are,” he said to Rossgrove; “vour hair may ornament an Indian’s lodge be- fore morning, if your aire, is equal to your dis- play of impudence. Just think of it, gentlemen— if you are worthy of being called gentliemen—just think of it; one blast on that’’—producing a small silver whistle—‘‘ would bring a hundred Indians down upon you in a minute.” “The nation, you say!’ exclaimed Noisy Nat; ‘then, jist for the Lord’s sake, give us a blast, and let ‘em come, lickey-t’-secoot. Vm decomposin’ fur a fight with the red-skins. Gorry Almi’ty, I could lick fifty o’ °em myself; and Wild Dick here could v0lish the rest, to say nothin’ "bout the captain and is men. Yas, whistle ‘em in, Mr, Devilrow, or gimme the tool, ye pizen sap-head, I'll blow it till oe he ae beousiaal + “Never mind, Rattle-tongue, you may be glad to swaller yous words before Saylight,”” said M. Jules; then, turning to Rossgrove, he continued: ‘* Now, sir, I desire to know whether you intend to leave this reserve, or not?’ “Yes, whenever we get ready,”’ was Rossgrove’s - reply. ‘That's the talk,.Cap,” added Wild Dick, and his words were repeated by every man. " pat is your decision, then?” said Devreaux. +s fj és.” ‘Then your blood be wpon your own. heads,”’ said he villain, lifting the whistle to his lips. But the blast that was intended to call a hundred savages down upon the little band of whites was never given, for at this instant a low cry escaped Dev- reaux’s lips, and he sunk a quivering mass to the ground, stricken down by an unseen hand! cry of surprise burst from the claim-stakers’ lips. They were completely dumbfounded, and stood as though rooted to the spot, and gazed with distended eyes upon the prostrate form of the man. Not one of their party had raised a hand against him, and yet he had been stricken down. ado whence had come the sudden, mysterious blow? Noisy Nat advanced and bent over the prostrate form, ‘“ Ay, boys,” he exclaimed, ina husky tone, ‘‘I see now what done the work. Look thar!’ He turned the body over, “posing the left side of the face to the light. Just before the ear all eyes saw a deep, scarlet dent in the temple. The skin was not broken, nor was a drop of blood visible. But M. Jules Devreaux was stone-dead |! “By St. Peter!’ exclaimed Wild Dick, “I under- standitnow, Scarlet Death, the Demon, has spotted the villain!” “Yes, boys,’ added old Nat, “Scarlet Death is erbout, and God only knows which o’ us will git a spot next.” The claim-stakers shuddered. The hunter’s stories of this unknown destroyer had been confirmed by startling, pons ee proof; and in less than ten min- utes more wong 5 : broken camp and -were movin through the forest, down the creek, in search o more congenial quarters, CHAPTER II. THE *‘DISPUTE,’’.- A rew miles south of the scene of the events just narrated was a strip of eee included in and form- ing a part of the territory of Iowa, which the State of ouri claimed as being embraced within the boundaries defined by her constitution, and over which that State, for a “eg Begone endeavored to ex- ercise arta while the territory, to which it rightfully belonged, disputed their authority. From these conflicts, this strip of country became known as the “‘ Dispute.”’ Owing to natural advantages and remoteness from seats of justice, the Dispute had become one of the most central pons for outlaws, river pirates and robbers west of t e Mississippi. As early as the be- ginning of the nineteenth century a number of French voyageurs had erected a trading-post at the conflu: ence of the Des Moines river. This attracted others to the place, and the population gradu increased, though it was a class of men, and their descendants, who had in turn been under the jurisdiction and gov- ernment of various war-chiefs of the savages, of Louis XV. of ere Charles II. of Spain, Napoleon I. of France, the Territorial Government ouisiana, Orleans, Missouri and Wisconsin, and, at times, sub- jects of two governments at once, and the conse- quence was, they were the least verned of any people on earth, and carried on their robbery and river piracy with impunity several years after the date of our story. It is true there were a few honest “squatters” on the Dispute, but, being in the minority, they were compelled to live up to the “Club Laws,” a series of enactments of the “ Disputers ’’ for the government of their settlement. It was with deep regret that these robbers and out- laws looked forward to the day when the title of the Indians to the land north of them would xen: The savages had been very sociable neighbors, after lend- ing a strong hand in their work of plunder and_pil- lage. Then it had become so handy for the outlaws to attach all blame to the Indians, t it seemed to- tally impossible to carry on their work after the In- dians had left; for white settlers, they knew would flock in. upon the reserve, and environ the Dispute, so that retreat to other quarters would be the only expedient. However, the Disputers, as they were called, had one present and fearful enemy to con- tend with. This was Scarlet Death, the Demon of the Des Moines. On the afternoon of the same day on which our story opens. a number of the Dispute outlaws were congrevat in a log-building in a little village called pain (E| Oe Ve) 1a