Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 146 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

youth bent his head and listened, but could hear sothing. He dropped himself to the earth, and — his ear to the ground, again listened. In a oment he started up, saying: ‘*Horsemeti are comin’, Miss Elwe. We must pave here, for Il know ’most they’re Ingins or rob- bera. I’ve been down here watchin’ for some devil- try, and I guess I've seen it, The words of ‘The Hidden Spy”? are comin’ true—but then that’s not the thing 1 talk to you about. Miss Elwe, can you ride horseback?” “Yes, sir,’? the maiden replied, a faint smile play- ing about her lips; “if there is any thing I excel in, it is in riding; but, Silver Star—” “ Well, then, you must mount my horse, and T’ll walk, for we must be moviug from here,”’ ‘Oh, sir, I could not think of taking your horse from you,” the girl replied. “ But you must think of it; as for me, I could walk a hundred miles to let any one like you ride,”’ “You are gallant, I must confess; but—” ‘‘T will listen to nothing,’ the v0 interrupted; “vou must ride my nag, and I'll walk." ’ e called his horse up, and assisted the maiden tec pe animal’s back. she took her seat in the saddle Ath an ease and grace which proved that she was ycustomed to it, and gathering up the reins she an- younced her readiness for departure, Silver Star led the way toward the White Earth, put before he had gone far in that direction, st i) tries were heard emanating from the depths of the woods, and were answered up and down the river, Full well the young guide knew what they rye) and without a word he turned abruptly to the righ and led the way eastward over the P He walked briskly, and had the maiden been fully aware of the real danger that menaced them she would doubtless have noticed the uneasiness of her rescuer. But, all anconscious of the fact that hostile Indians and white robbers infested the woods and prowled over the prairies, she rode on, brooding over her sorrow and wondering, until it seemed her very heart would burst, who her abductors were, why they had car- ried her away from her home and friends, and whether she wou!d ever return to them or not. In fact, her brain grew dizzy, and there were times when she seemed floating along in a half-wakefal em Ty ee keri and halt-dreaming. Often she 7 to convince herself that she was dreaming, that she might wake to a pleasant realization; but the “swish ” of wage 2 Hg ba ee moving ae ~ Frey nt yo grea peti of prairie, and the moom in the blue depths of heaven—all con- vi her of the painful reality of her situation. ey had journeyed some three or four miles, and the,| maiden had succeeded, to some extent, in re- con¢iling herself to the situation, when suddenly her guide dropped alongside ber horse and looking up into her face said, with a troubled expression upon his countenance: ‘*Elwe, you will have to leave me and ride on alone.”’ ‘Why, Silver Star, Iam content to follow you,” she said, innocent of the boy’s meaning; ‘* more- over, would not know where to go.”’ . But you must go, Elwe—TI insist upon it.” “ Why, Silver Star?” she asked, ‘We are bein’ pursued.”’ ‘* Being pursued?” she exclaimed; “ by whom?” ‘‘ Indians, or outlaws; or both, Elwe, Look back; do you 4 that dark line and flashing weapons mov- ing yonder?” ib we glanced back and saw—not overa hundred rods distant—a number of horsemen riding furious- ly toward them. She could hear the sound of their horses’ feet, now that her attention had been called to them, and, see the flash and glimmer of their weapons and trappings in the moonlight. Still the maiden scarcely realized the magnitude of her dan- ger, and Siiver Star noticed the fact. ‘* Elwe,” he said, persistently, “you must fly! It will be death to fall into them vee 3’ power. They are hostile Sioux, no doubt, led by the renegade chief, White Crane.” “ee But inquired, wita trembling lips, - ‘“ Never mind me—t'll take care of myself. Give Prince the rein, Eiwe, and let him go. he will carry you safely through to the fort. Do not attempt to guide him, for he knows the way even better than Ido, Now go, Elwe, and ma eaven protect you! Not a moment must be Jost.” Searcely conscious of what she was doing, Elwe Si Se ae —_ ging out for the fort. A thirty-mile walk is not | across by way of the | ae Fe but by cuttin Dead Fall I can save five miles, and b’lieve I'l! do it. I've the fall more than once, and can do it ageit if it is a little risky; so here goes,”’ e turned north and struck out across the prairie, To every acre of prairie, every watercourse, wood, trail, hill and chasnr within miles of him wag perfectly familiar. Wherever he went there was some known landmark to guide him, and so he was not compelled to follow any beaten track or road. He reached the woods and plunged into the deep, dense shadows; here he observed more caution— more through force of habit than fear of danger. Pressing on he soon entered the broken, wooded foot- where treacherous foot-falls, valleys rent with chasms, and rugged, precipitous bluffs beset his path. The timber, however, was not so dense and the moonlight struggling to earth, here and there, greatly relieved the footsteps of the young adventurer. He had journeyed several miles when he found himself confronted by an almost perpendicular cliff, or bluff, extending miles to the right and left. B — around the western extremity of this blu e could save miles of travel in his journey to the fort; but it would be attended with great and immi- nent peril. Nothing daunt pressed forward—taking the shortest and most dan- erous route. He kept close in against the face of he bluff _ @ ledge of rocks that wound around the great cliff like a spiral capi f and soon the zreatest danger appeared. <A deep, lack chasm set n upon his left, while the bluff rose higher and higher overhanging the narrow way he was follow- ing. But Silver Star knew his course and all its at- tending dangers, He had traveled it before, but none save the nimble-footed and the cool-headed dare attempt the passage of a certain point on the route known as the Dead Fall. It was a place where the traveler had to turn a sharp corner of rocks— where the footing was treacherous, and where many a red-skin and hunter had been hurled into the fear- ful abyss below, a broken, bleeding, torn mass. It was this point the boy dreaded, for every step was attended with danger. A misstep or a loose pebble might hurl him to his death. One thing was in his favor. The moon shone full against the face of the cliff and lighted his way. But for this he would have had te pick his way step by step. As he advanced, the boy found that his path grew narrower, and at times slanted off toward the preci- pice on his left. Every step now had to be planted with the greatest care until beyond the Dead Fall, which was but a few rods away, and the young man had almost reached it when the sound of voices fell upon his ears. He paused and listened, to be certain. He was not mistaken. From beyond the Dead Fall came the sound. Some one was coming toward him from the other direction—from around the Dead Fall. It was impossible for two persons to pass upon the ledge, and if those coming should happen to be ene- mies, death would be inevitable. The lad held his breath in suspense. He leaned against the cliff, for he felt sick at heart. He fixed his eyes upon the angle that concealed the unknown from his sight. A form turned the Dead Fall and used before him. It was that of an Indian—an ndian chief—a tal!, ungainly looking creature—hid- eous and grotesque with feathers and war-paint. Silver Star recognized him as the notorious rene- gade, Wade-in-the- Water, or White Crane, The chief readily recognized the boy by the star ape his breast. It flashed before him like the eye ot doom, wey was thunderstruck by the presence of the other. They stood leaning slightly forward, glaring into each erally eyes like tigers regting in their death- struggle, Cold and damp came the air from the black depths | below into their faces. Silver Star, will they not kill you?” the girl | Che cold sweat started in great drops upon -the face of the chief, and his nerves jerked and twitched _ with emotion. The star upon the breast of the boy flashed and | ' the cliff. assure you | —EE vid the boy farewell, gave her horse the rein and | yalloped swiftly away. | at his h A wild, savage yell behind told that her flight | had been discovered, and then pursuit began in earnest, . Silver Star dropped himself in the grass, which was nearly waist-deep, and upon hands and knees began crawlin out of the path of the savages. He felt satisfied that they had not seen him, and the only fears he entertained were of being trampled to death. But these were soon disposed of, for he had scarcely gone a dozen rods ere the whcle band of Indians and robbers swept past him like the wind. Lying upon cautiously but rapidly away to get | glimmered in the moonlight, The very wall against which the seemed to be swelling outright as if to crowd them over the dizzy hights. Voices beyond the Dead Fall told that the chief had friends soon to turn the corner in si owy the left hand of the boy sour » Nor was the movement unobserved by whose lips moved, and in piecobyy bi Inys- the chie voice, purely English, articulated these terious words. ‘“Boy—Silver Star, retreat! Go, before they see you, or it will be too late. I'll hoki them beyond the corner until you are out of sight. Go. S’deathr’ The voice impressed the boy strangely. He knew it was that of a white man in disguise—a man who, to save himself, was willing to permit the boy—the _ dreaded Silver Star—to escape, and that, too; when Lhe earth, he could see every man—red and white— | and as Near as he couid judge they were about fifty | in number. ; When far past him the young guide rose to his feet, and, as a smile passed over his face, he said: Goon, you yellin’ horde of purgatorian blisters! 1 risk you overtakin’ Prince dnd ‘Elwe. Ab! who knows but this is a part of the night's programme of which “The Hidden Spy” spoke in his note? Blest if I don't b’lieve there is such a person as the ‘‘ fuvisible Spy’ and the Demon of Darkness! But that girl! she’s the darlinecst—bnt, bah! what am 7 ttkip’ “bout? The best thine for me is to be peg- a great bounty was upon his young scalp! Silver Star knew there was no use arguing with the chief; but accepting his proposition, and mak- ing the same known by a nod of his head, he at once began retreating backward, all the while keeping his eyes upon the movements of the Indian for fear _ of treachery. He soon passed from view of his _enemy around the winding ledge, and then he turn- ' ed his back upon the chief and continued on. Thoughts of the fair Elwe came up in his mind, not- withstanding jis dangerous situation; and a of bitter regret and Cisappointment emote h’'s bre when it occurred to him Uhat his retreat would delay: him elmost a day in his journey to the fort, where he hoped to again meet the maicen. lver Star, the Boy Knig*ht. ; | | | | however, Silver Star’ alon 3 A little further on a niche in the side of the cliff arrested the youth’s attention and invited him toa daring adventure. It was Geep enough to conceal his person, and as the moonlight did not relieve it of its darkness on account of the overhanging brow of the cli‘f, he re- solved to press himself into it and run ' risk of discovery by the passing red-skins. Removing the star upon his breast, the lad back- ed himself into the niche, and in breathless suspense awaited the coming and going, of White Crane and his followers. He had not long to wait, for the ungain- ly chief soon peat him with long, sliding footsteps, his elbows almost brushing the boy's breast as he ssed. He was immediately followed by a savage n paint and feathers, and this one was followed by another and still another, until a dozen or more had passed without discovering the enemy pressed lL: une niche of the wall so close that he seemed a pa of it. The lad remained perfectly quiet for fear all had not gone by. Five minutes passed, but as no more sevages ap- peared to be coming, he leaned forward and looked out along the ledge, A cry escaped his lips and he started back, clutch ing his revolver, for another savage was coming the ledge within five steps of him! That the warrior had discovered his presence there was no denying, for he sent forth a. yell that started a hun- dred echoes leaping and rebounding through the hills and valleys. It was immediately answered by those that hed ss by, and a few moments later the Boy ight heard them coming back, and heard the reste on the right making known his discovery to them. This placed the daring boy in a perilous sifuatiou from which there seemed no possible chance of escape. Itis true, the angles of the rocks on each side of him, protected his body as long as he re- mained wedged in there; but he could not entertain any assurance of escape. e chasm before him was over two hundred feet deep, the rocks behind high and projecting, so there was no mode of escape save by the path that led him there; so, drawing his revolver, he prepared for the worst. He had some advantage of position, but the enemy had the advantage of numbers. More- over, Silver Star was under the necessity of keeping a watch upon the right and left, for fear the savages might undertake to circumvent him by closing in con both sides at the same time. With a revolver in. ach hand, he eos unceasil.< watch. The minutes wore slowly and heavily awcy into peng Weg) to the watcher’s surprise the tee made not the slightest demonstration. The al or} remained perfectly quiet in hopes of deluding t boy; but Silver Star knew with whom he had to deal, and that the enemy was possessed of dogged ience. Slowly the moon crept around the bluff and went _ down, leaving the lend in a purple gloom, and rei,- dering the situation of the brave Silver Star more precarious. But slowly the eventful night wore away, and the light of a new day burst over hill and valley. It gave a momentary relief to the besieged youth’s mind; yct it did not pring relief to his body. funger and cramp ficm long confinement were tel!ing upon hirr. Still nothing had been heard or ceen of the red- skins, Where wire they? To test the matter, the lad put his hat upon the muzzle of his revolver, and pushed it slowly out past the angle of his retreat, Scarcely was half of the crown exposed ere a bullet tore through it, and the crack of a rifle woke the nmicrning echoes. Silver Star, equal to the errergrncy, uttered a groan of cistress, and the enemy, believing he was killed, ut- tered a yild, triumphent yell, and then the one on the left—he who had fired the shot—glided forward to secure the coveted scalp. But es he appeared around the corner, a pistol fiashed in his very face, and © bullet crashed throrgh his brain. A low moan escaped the doomed warrior’s lips; he clutched | nervously at space, reeicd and tottered, and then stood pressed | ght. it the pistol » sunk beckward and disappeared over the edge of This gave the red-skins to understand that their young foe was wide awake, and ready for any emer- gency. It also gave them to uncerstand that be could not be dislodged by force. The morning sun rose above the hills and trec- tops, and shot his cheerful rays into the narrow re- treat of the Boy Knight. Still it brovght little re- lief—little hope to his breast. How end when hi: imprisonment would end, God only knew; but, ac- enstomed to look upon the bright side of life, the youth braced himself, inhaled the fresh airinto his ungs, and worked his limbs until partially relieved of their cramp. The mcuth of the exping chasm was not five feet from where he stood. It was not overa hurdred feet wide, and the top of the opposite bluff just reached to a level with Silver Star’s eyes. It was crowned with a dense crowth of scrubby trees aid undergrowth, and while the boy was pondering over his situation, and woncering what the next probal le movement of the enemy might be, it suddenly oc- curred to him that it would be a very easy matter for a red-skin to come up on the opposrlte side of the _ chasm and shoot him down as he stcod exposed in . the niche. And the very theught seemed to Lave , been born of intuition—fcreed upon | im by that in- stinctive magne!ism with which min end beast have been endowed; for scarcely had it en cred his mind ere he saw the Lushes cn the oppcsite side of the chasm part, and a savage face apycur in the cpen- ing. jt was the face’ of the renerrde chief, T h'te 0/00) Goilm (C <S: