Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 131 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

ee 6 thousand. We must shoot off his bonds, and if he has life enough left to outrun the varmints, perhaps we can cover his retreat so he can get away. Isee no other way.” The flames swept higher in fiercer heat, and the savage tors renewed their fiendish cries with redoubled zest. ‘‘We can’t make it any worse fer him,” re- ee True Bill, quickly. ‘‘ Let’stry your plan, “ All right. Is your hand steady, Bill?” ‘As Chimbly Rock on Platte!” “Good! How are you, Jack?” / ©] won't fail.” * That's grit; D’ye take the thong thet goes reund the stake. Hold firm, and plum the cen- ter. Bill, ye shoot off the cord from the left wrist, and.1 will take the right. When ’tis done, ye shout fer him to run like mad. Ef he can’t do it, I will put a bullet through his heart and thus end his sufferings. Tis all we can do, Are ye ready?” “Sure es time.” The light from the fire made it as bright as day, and from their position the miners a range of the fearful scene. As calmly as if practicing at target-shoo rather than risking all on shots for a human life, they raised their rifles. ‘* Now—ready—fire!” The three reports blended as one. A cloud of smoke curled up from the spot, and the red-men paused instantaneously their mad a Dustin Dare felt a sharp twinge of pain upon either wrist; but before he could realize more, a stentorian voice started him into activity. “Run, Dust! For your life, run!” Springing wildly forward, he found that he was free. Then, before the amazed sav understood the sudden movement, he feapat t the burning fagots and bounded past the red-skins at the top of his speed. ' ‘Look hyar,” cried Gil Rey to his compani- ons, ‘‘ d’ye look to helping him samene, an’ while the varmints are arter ye, I will help Big Paws out o’ his s:rape.” Silver Dust was running for the growth a little distance below, and without hesitation Bill and Jack rushed to his assistance. Not till the fugitive was nearly down to the growth did the surprised Indians recover their wits enough to give chase, Then, with yells truly terrifying, they pur- sued en masse. Some were searcely less than a rod behind, and it seemed as if the captive could not es- cape. : He saw his peril, and tried to flee the faster. Just as he reached the timber, Bill and Jack shot the foremost red-skins, and a moment later joined Dare. ; ‘* Quick, for the bottom!” A wild and exciting scene followed. Nearly all the Apaches mingled in the race, and the woods were filled with them. Keeping close together, the whites were driv- en to their utmost. ‘* Load yer shooter, ef ye can, Jack; but don’t fire till I tell ye,” panted Bill,-as they rushed through the undergrowth. ‘They are coming from the right, and mean to head us off.” ‘‘Turn to the left, then. There is a river ahead somewhere, and we must reach it,” . Then a volley from the Indians checked their speech. They had scarcely gone three rods further wen paar Jack, catching his foot, tripped and fe Not missing him for a moment, the others kept on. ore John Racy could n his feet the red-skins were so c upon that he saw it was folly to run further. He saw a thick clump of bushes ahead, and crawled rapidly to it; when ing the spot he dashed into the tangled growth to be thrown headlong down a steep declivity. Half-stunned he s upon his knees, but a fierce growl caused him to gaze wildly about, without moving more. As he discovered a pair of fiery eyeballs watching him from the darkness beyond, his hand sought for his knife to find he lost it! His rifle had been jerked from his grasp. by the fall, and he was unarmed! Another fierce growl and he heard the angry beast lash his side in rage. ** Jack is a goner!” exclaimed True Bill, after he and Dare had gone a little way. G anxiously back they could see no- thing of ‘ 4” The Golden Hand. ***"Twon’t do for us to stop!” and thus they were forced to keep on. Still continuing to yell as fierce as ever the mad horde of Apaches kept up their pursuit. Half a mile was passed in the wild chase and the miners were fast losing hope. Though many of the savages had fallen be- hind, the majority were slowly gaining on the whites, owing in part to their r knowledge of the land. . ‘*Keep on, Dust,” said Bill. “Ef I sto ahint ye may be able toclear’em. I ain’t muc longer to peg it, ennyway, and if the varmints git m ” Not another word, True ohag pot broke in Dare. ‘‘We escape or die to— Look! I see water ahead!” —? had indeed come in sight of a small n It was not many acres in extent, but to turn around it would be to suffer capture. reaking through the line of shrubbery that rea gi its shore, they dropped silently into the A war-whoop from the Indians told that they had missed them. A moment later they reached the bank. Pausing in wonder, they soon surrounded the place, and dancing around in demoniac glee, watched for the reappearance of the fugitives. Quietly sinking beneath the surface they would keep under the tide as long as possible, and then gently rise to get their breath. Five, ten minutes in that way and no relief was promised for the dreadful y, at last to their horror the hunted miners heard the savages entering the water, and in a few moments the pond swarmed with the furious horde! CHAPTER VIII. TRUE BILL’S DEFIANCE, As Gil nine re “ee main sar ot the Indians rush in pursuit o companions, he prepared himself for the hazardous undertaking he had decided upon. Y ppesers' A reloading his rifle he then cautiously but sw left the cover of the forest, and h ing forward in a stooping posture he soon reached the shade of the wigwams, Every able-bodied savage had gone in the chase, though the ground was flocked with old or decrepit warriors, shrieking syuaws and children. Darting along like a shadow the mountaineer soon gained the rear of the huts that fronted the fire. Now for the struggle. Closely watching the crowd of sa who fortunately for his eT ag were sev feet in advance of the captive, and all had turned their backs to him as they watched the exciting |. race, he py o from place to place until only the clearing lay between him and Big Paws. He tried to attract his friend’s attention, but found he could not do it without disturbing the Savages. . So, with his rifle in his left hand and knife ee firmly in the other, he flitted noiselessly ong. The quick ear of Paul Hayes heard his cat-like step and he turned to behold him with joy. He was too much of a mountain-man, however, to betray his discovery to their foes. In an instant Gil was by his side. ‘“‘ Ky—yi—yah—ough!” yelled the excited Apaches, unconscious of the daring deed being done behind them. A quick thrust of the knife and Big Hayes was free. SpEneing lightly to his feet the twain started escape. Still the Indians Dery es Faison see to and fro were unconscious of 1] pon Img tive. S at Gil Rey saw a corral of e upper end of the village. ‘*‘ Are our horses thar?’ he asked, in a whisper. Hayes nodded an affirmative. © Let’s take em!” Unmindful of the additional risks were courting, the hardy miners hurried rapidly that way. hime at the same moment a new outbreak among the savages told that they were dis- covered, rr We “yee by see gee! mae cried Rey- n and no longer attem any cauti the ded toward their Rorsan : a Reaching there in advance of the red-men, they tore off the animals’ hobbles, and springing upon the backs of the nearest, while each led a rvemgek | the bridle, they rode away with a de- ant y Pf Like infuriated demons the red-skins followed; but broken-down warriors and squaws could not race with the daring white men, who had accomplished so successfully one of the most ein A ie feats border history has ever re corded. ‘“‘Guess we hev giv ’em the slip,” said Gil, when finally the cries of the savages were only ges heard. ** You are right, old beaver,” answered Hayes, moderating the pace of animals his companion’s. “I shan’t forgit what ye hev done for me, not by a long sight. So giv us yer ’d Ki o sum tall doin’s se I see on ong the ;Pawnees onc’t, but ’twarn’t nowhar | ’side 0’ yer—” ‘‘ Never mind, Paul,” broke in the old moun-_ taineer, blushing like a school-girl at his friend’s rude compliment. ‘‘ We hev come off all right, but I should like to know where the boys are.” ‘It'll be a tight tussle for ’em to escape. **Can’t we find ’em?”’ “We must—hark! I thought I h a hoss.” **So ye did! and thar kems the Golden Hand es true es I live!” Sure gee the strange rider had suddenly come into sight, and seeing them rode that way. “Hold on!” exclaimed Gil Rey as he ap- proached, ‘‘ Are ye the Golden Hand?” “Tam so called,” he answered calmly, as he paused. ‘“‘Are you a t of the ports fant ch who — attacked by the Apaches a little while since “We are two on’em.” ‘“* Where are the others!” ‘“‘Thet’s jess what we would like to hev ye tell us. The last we see’d on ’em they war runnin’ fer life with a couple hundred red-skins a tear- ing arter ’em!” ‘In what direction?’ ‘* More to the eastward.” “Have you seen the Black Riders?” ‘‘Nary achip. Did ye git thet gal?” “No; the masked horde escaped with her. But Iam detaining you, and I suppose you are anxious to help P Soe friends.” ‘*O’ course, luck to ye, old Gold Hand,” and the twain were about to turn away when ‘Look here; you seem honest men, I will save your friends upon one condition.” P ! Name it,” spoken quickly. ‘“It is madness for arch ee in Black Pocket valley. You have more enemies than ou dare t and not a single friend. I ac- owledge I am your foe, but what I say I know is for your best. I will promise safety to yourselves and oapenuane until you can get out of the valley, if you will swear that you will never come in.” “Sho—o! Are ’em your only tarms?” ‘Yes. Give me your answer at once. Every moment lost may cost.a life!” ‘“What d’ye say, Paul?” asked Reynolds of his comrade. ‘*T think we had better git. This isa dangerous kentry. Ef we can’t find a more wholesome lead than this, I am goin’ back to Texas a-huntin’ mowstangs.” ‘Tl jine hands with ye thar, old ’coon. Mister Gold Hand, if ye’ll risky our friends slick we ’ll git like mountain sheep!” “Good; it is the best thing you can do. Fol- low me, and we will see what we can do for vowith Pats the speak @ WO e er headed his mus- beng sorrnrt the south-east, and the miners fol- ow ‘We better keep our peepers opened,” said Ha “fer the imp may lead us into “i py Spock hack Cl s’pose he’s a k?” whispered ‘ Iv pesky onsar and I don't savor much rs) ; Then in silence the little party kept on their way. loom, however, the yells of the red-men were borne to their ears. ‘ “They are away from their village, and I don’t believe they have captured your friends,” said the Golden Hand. in ae I,” replied Gil Rey. ‘ But what am Suddenly they heard a cry for help, which came from no fren distance. ‘My stars! it’s Jack, es true es I am a-talkin’ beaver!” cried Paul Hayes. Spurring their animals rapidly forward the area thar gs plainer heard; and in a moment they Le on to the earth, the Golden Hand w out a knife and waited for his chance to the beast. | a, - CGOMIGENOOKS to that of | Gol