Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 13 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

-_—_ re ee eee The Dumb Spy. EN eee They were a rough, villainous-looking set of men, of various nationalities, though the American and Indian half-breeds formed a good portion of the party. ‘**Men,”’ said one of the party, who seemed to be a leading spirit, “‘the subject before us is one of no little magnitude. In less than one year from now the Indians’ title to the land north of us ends. Then what will be the result? Settlers will flock in and crowd around us until it will not be safe for our business. But, we must not let them. We must stick to the Dispute, despite the vengeance of Scarlet Death or that thing called justice. The Demon we may manage to slay—”’ ; ‘“Yas,if he don’t kill us,” spoke in a comrade. “You see, Lieutenant Thoms, Scarlet Death has warped it to a dozen of our men ms ‘*T know it, Fuller, I know it,”’ replied Cale Thoms the second in command of the outlaws; “ but, if we'll use proper caution, we may destroy the Demon, be he man or devil. The settlers we can keep away.” “Then we miist begin in time,’’ said a low-browed German. “'That’s it, Dalberg,”’ said Thoms; “if we don’t let them get a foothold, we can control things awhile longer at least. If we intend to do this—keep the set- tlers off—,we’ve work on hand this minute.’ “The furies you say! What do you mean, lieu- tenant?” *“ Just what Isay. To be more explicit, there are about a dozen men a short ways north of here locat- ing claims, and have been for three days.” ‘Fire and furies! what right have they on the Black-Hawk lands a’redéy?” ‘*None; but they’re locating claims to be entered just as soon as the Indians’ title expires, and I tell yau, boys, it must be prevented.” “That’s the talk, lieutenant, but how’ll we go *bout it?” ‘* Well, in the first place, we could induce the In- dians to make complaint to the Government officers, who would send dragoons to drive the claim-locaters off, as they did Homlin and his crew, about a year ago. Then, agcin, we might stir up the Indians and get them after the trespassers, and, if they refuse, we ean take them in hand ourselves, and work it so as to throw the blame all onto the red-skins.”’ “Boys,” suddenly exclaimed a villainous-looking Spanish creole, ‘‘do any of you know who the leader of them claim-locaters is?” ‘No, no,” was the general response, ‘* Well, I do.” ' * How do you know it?” “ Caramba! I know it by the evidence of my own eyes—it is Captain John rove, of Columbus, entucky.”’ A cry of surprise burst from every lip, for John Rossgrove was well known to them, having visited the Dispute once, with a company of dragoons, in search of a band of horse-thieves that he had tracked that direction. The Disputers were the real horse- thieves, but they put on such an innocent face dur- ing Captain Ro ve's stay, that he was completely Ourwliced and put upon the wrong trail. Then, by Jehosephat,” said ms, “‘our cap- tain, Reckless Ralph, will accomplish mission, srhaps, without much trouble. it’s about time he captain was back, I wonder if we couldn't scare Rossgrove home? I believe I will send a note to him in the care of the Mute Spy, and try it. But, see here. Wouldn't it be best to send a man to the In- dian village to stir up the red-skins, also, for fear the letter may fail in taking them wh La — The opinions of all in this matter coincided with that of Thoms. “Then,” said the latter, “Tl By pola Jules Devreaux for the work, and my instructions, Jules, are these. Don't be too stickling about telling the Indians an abundance of goo ealthy lies, as I know you can, Stir up their blood toa a heat one get them out after the claim-locaters, ossible.” . | . “Tl do that, lieutenant, bet your life on it,” re- plied Devreaux, who at once departed on his mis- SiON, A few minutes later, a man on horseback dashed up to the door of the cabin—dismouuted and entered the apartment where the outlaws were congregated. ‘Bill Hohn, as I live!’ burst from the of several. ‘ art? ** You bet boys,” roared Hohn, excitedly. “Why, Bill!” exclaimed Thoms, ““ what the devil’s up? Where's Reckless Ralph—'Squire Ralph, or Judge Ralph of the Dispute?” ‘* Fle and t’other boys ‘ll be in to-night. ‘Is it possible?” ‘It is, and he’s got what he went after. But to his pear he found another man had a claim on it, but took it anyhow. And what do you think? We come nigh runnin’ right into that first owner’s hands this mornin’ up on the hase. To make a long story short, that owner is Captain John Rossgrove, the very chap that came here once with a compan o’ dragoons. For fear of bein’ diskivered, Cap goin’ to lay hid till night, and he sent me on in ad- vance with this note for you, Lieutenant Thoms.” | Thoms took the note and read it. | “Boys,” he said, when he had concluded it, “the captain wants us to run those claim-stakers out of the country at once. He is afraid they'll get wind of what he has got in his ession.”’ blo ere When. does e wish for us to strike ze ow?” ss Soon as. possible after ni htfall. He says the lo- caters have n chaining off claims ng: t ‘anity Creek to-day, and will probably camp in the vi of the old Indian ford to-night.” “By gar, it be one grand fun drivin’ ze locaters off,” exclaimed a little villainous Frenchman, “Yes, but we'll have to be careful,” said Thoms, ‘for fear the claim-locaters get wind of our move- ments. We will all go to our respective homes when we adjourn, then soon after dark, gather one by one on the north side of Beaver Lake. From that point we will shape our course, as I propose to send the Mute at once to the claim-stakers camp, to ascertain their real force, and their means and advantages of defense. Therefore I proclaim this meeting ad- journed until dark.” The meeting broke up. CHAPTER III. WITLESS SETH. SHorRTLY after the claim-locaters broke camp the moon came up, and as the sandy shore of Chequest Creek toward the Des Moines, a cry from the lips of Noisy Nat brought them all to a stand. ‘What now, Nat?” asked Captain Rossgrove. * Look thar.” He pointed down at the sandy beach that lay sparkling before them in the bright moonlight. very eye was at once bent in the direction indicat- ed, and saw a long, slender hoof-mark deeply im- printed in the white, yielding sand. ‘““The Demon's tracks, by the holy mysteries!” ex- claimed Wild Dick. “And that is the track of Scarlet Death?” said Captain Rossgrove, “Yes, Cap, that’s the critter’strack. You see he’s been goin’ up the Chequest. Ugh! his very tracks make me shiver.” “This Demon is a creature I’d like to see,”’ said eh Dudley, the surveyor. . a 1! and git a pink on yer temple?” asked Noisy at. “No, I have no desire to meet the fate of M. Jules Devreaux. But, what kind of 4 weapon do you sup- pose he uses to strike with?”’ **The devil only knows; however, I think he ctrikes with his breath like the blow-snalze, and that, too, as hard as chain-lightnin’. But, boys, let’s hoof it on down to the river and then so into camp again, eae Soir Wisin pticibeteer. 40 party moved cting upon sug on, the moved on and soon came to the Des Moines. Turning, they proceeded a short way down its course, when they again came to a halt for the night. Selecting a favorable spot a few rods back from the river, they went into camp. A fire was lighted in the center of a dense clump of small trees, where the foliage above and around would prevent the light from shooting athwart the darkness and publishing abroad their new location. It now became necessary to station a guard over the camps and the responsibility of this duty first fell upon Wild Dick, who at once took his post in the woods a few rods west of camp. The claim-locaters now threw themselves on their blankets beforo the firo, and engaged in conversa- tion. A few minutes had thus passed when a figure glided suddenly into their midst with the silence of a shadow. Every eye sought tho face of the silent intruder, and every man would have sworn it was the face and form of Wild Dick, but for the wore. And even this, ey believed was a trick con- cocted by the huntcr while alone upon guard; and so Ca Cosgrove said: * Why, Dick, have you deserted your post? Where did you get your new suit?’ The intruder mace no reply, further than to touch his ear and lips. Lut, tis was sufficient. It told them he was agaf and dumb! This brought vividly to their minds tho sto them that night of ‘vis brother, Witless Seth; and, a sie | of us, called the Dispute, is not proceeded along the | 3 then continued his conversation with his brother. we sss a however, he turned to the captain and said: “IT sw’ar, Cap, I’ve learnt a heap to-night. Brother Seth has told me some swissin’ a secrets. A part of them, howsumever, I’m not at liberty to tell, just yet, and part of them Iam. One of themis. | this: were in imminent danger. . Before mornin’ we're to be attacked by a party of—” . ‘* Dragoons?” interrupted Rossgrove. “No; a band of robbers, rascals and cutthroats. Seth says the settlers on the saip of country south ing but a nest of robbers, river-pirates, and counterfeiters.” ‘“‘Impossible!’’ exclaimed Ro ve. “A short time ago when I was through this country, with a Se “<q —— 2 _ *em is this company of soldiers, in search of a band of horse- thieves, we stopped at the Dispute, and for a frontier settlement, I considered it remarkably orderly.” . y Cap, that was only an external show. Seth says they’re a hard set, and it’s them that’s swori: to kill every man of us afore mornin’, They’re goin’ to attack us just as soon as Seth goes back.” FS aa your brother is one of them, eh?’’ said young udley, “Wal, now point, Seth lives at the Dispute, and is here asa spy on our movements, but he will prove to you that meow MI, really, th rising d will “Well, really, this is surp news, and wi be likely to prove a detriment to our calculations. However, if Seth’s story is true—and there is nota doubt but it is—the Dispute may be the rendezvous of the horse-thieves, river-pirates, and counterfeiters, that have so lone baffled the most strenuous efforts of the officers of justice. If so, we might maneuver around and get hold of the ringleaders, for whom there is a handsome reward offered.” “That's the right chorus, Cap,”’ exclaimed old Nat. **T wouldn't mind turnin’ an honest fip by raisin’ the ha’r 0’ a hoss-thief.”’ “What does your brother propose doing, Dick?” questioned Rossgrove. “Stay right here, and let me go back in his place. Won't I tell °em some big ’uns, tho’! “They'll mistrust your intentions, and probably shoot you,” said one of the party. “Not much, Hayworth; I propose to pass myself off as Seth, the Mute.” ““ A capital idea, Dick,” said the captain, ‘‘ Were your mother living, I am sure she could not tell which was which, so far as forms and features are concerned; but that tengue of yours would betray ou. ‘é Nary ble in my mouth to keep my tongue still, don’t you see! _ “But you’d have other obstacles to meet. Your ignorance of the place and people would betray ou. “Not much, Molly Ann. I'd have Seth st me afore I left. The reason I’m so anxious to among er; Seth says thar’s sunthin’ up ‘mong _the crew that he can’t understand. It’s sunthin iar garb he © that’s creatin’ t excitement ‘mong the villains, but they never give him a hint of what it is, You see he can’t hear, and thar’s only three in the clique that Wild Dick had ‘told | _ tion, which lasted full an hour; then they retined a although they had never seen tho latter, they were | satisfied that he stood before thom, for the family © resemblance was remarkabl ary =e. The mute stood before them, fazing from one to the other, as though he were searching each face for aft r countenance; but, seeing all were strang- ers, he raised his and and began moving his fingers in a peculiar mannor, He was trying to communi- cate with the party, but none of them bein - quainted with the mutes’ language, Captain - by signified tho fact to him by a shake of the | ea “Call in Wild Dick,” ee Ak: then said, to Noisy Nat, “‘for I am satisfied, semblance, that this man is his mute brother, Seth.” Noisy Nat at once relieved Wild Dick, who soon made his appearance in camp; and no sooner did his eyes mect those of the mute stranger than they lit up with a light of recognition, and the next mo- ment the brothers greeted each other in an embrace that told of their great joy and brotherly love. “Lordy, boys!” Wild Dick at le exclaimed, ‘this, captain and friends, is brother Seth, the iden- tical twin-brother of whom I told SA to-night. He's deaf and dumb, but he’s no fool, I tell you.” Each of the claim-locaters advanced and shook the hand of the mute, who acknowledged their greeting with a low bow. : The brothers then entered into a conversation which was carried on altogether with their fingers. It lasted for fully an hour. They were comparing notes since they last parted, years before. The claim-stakers were spectators, not auditors, of the silent conversation. At times they would see a smile of joy pass over Dick’s face, then his brov would poy moody and his eyes would flash with a vindictive fire; then again his features would relax into an expression of surprise and astonishment. Suddenly his pent-up emotions found expresstor. in the startled exclamation: * Good God, is it possible?—who’'d ‘a’ tho ~ The words were uttered involuntarily, an mgt checked himself before he had fully eeero emotions, he glanced quickly at Captain ve, | | | from the great re- 7 “= were wrapt in slum that can talk the mutes’ language, and one of these is the captain of the crew, and another one his dar- ter. And now, boys, I’m goin’ to find out what the great move is ‘mong them robbers and pirates.” “Well,” said Rossgrove, ‘‘I admit I am anxious to know myself, but I do not~want you, Dick, to place your life in jeopardy.”’ The brothers now entered into another conversa- short distance from camp and exchanged clothing, and Wild Dick became Witless Seth, the dumb spy. ‘The claim-locaters felt certain his disguise would not be penetrated, unless it was through some inadver- tence so peculiar to his reckless nature. In a few moments he took his departure for the Dispute, Wit- less Seth remaining with our friends. Harry, you've come to the stickin’- time, Cap; I'd carry a good-sized peb-— The claim-stakers again threw themselves upon . the ground in various positions of ease and et ve All became silent and thoughtful, and at length the entle influence of slumber began to steal over them. heir conversation gradually ceased; their minds became heavy and drowsy, and at length, all but the Tr. eral minutes had passed thus, when Captain Rossgrove was aroused by a light touch on his arm. Rising to a Ee posture, he saw the mute bend- ing over him, holding a small bit of paper in his hand, which he at once placed in his. | Rossgrove unfolded the paper and saw it was writ- ten over in @ good hand-wri He held it to the light and “John Rossgrove, your presence is required at home, ‘less your ‘affections in your young wife will be supplanted by the eminent Judge —., o “A FRIEND.”’ fhe r dropped from the captain’s hand The eolor ronsien from his face, and he hard for breath. Had a dagger been thrust to his heart, he could not have manifested more violent emotions. ““Tt’s a lie!” he at length fairly hissed between his hard-set teeth; “it's an infamous lie. Oh, if this man could speak—could tell me from whence this letter came! But, then, all the powers on_ earth could not make me believe my wife, my darling Camilla, is false to me. No, no; this note is an im- tion—perhaps a trick of some friend who is in he neighborhood, and knows I am here. It must be so, for no truer heart ever throbbed in wo- man’s breast than Camilla’s.’ ‘Thus musitie, he picked up the paper and put it in his pocket. en he lay down again. But he could — not sleep. Something like a horrible dream had en-— ? IOO GOmMIGc “S ~~ (eo,