Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 152 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

————— eee ewe ‘*Not he. His skull seems broken in. I heard a runaway horse. It must have trod on his head.” But the landlord was too busily occupied with the insensible form of Will Wildfire to attend to this con- versation. He brought the light of his lamp to bear on the pallid face and closed eyes. At the same moment a slight tremor shook Will’s frame. His eyes opened and looked upward with an unmeaning glare. His lost senses were slowly returning. CHAPTER XIII. OLD JAKE’S POST MORTEM REVENGE. ‘‘ Were shall I put this horse, Mr. Lloyd?’’ que- ried one of the hostlers of the Bell. He held the bridle of Will Wildfire’s runaway horse, which had made its way back to the place in which it had left its master. “IT hardly think Mr. Wildfire will need it this morning,” answered the landlord. ‘*Put it in the stable, in any empty stall, and see that the poor brute has something to eat and drink. The animal can- not be justly punished for the murder which it chanced to commit last night.” ‘* How is that?’ asked a gentleman, who had just ridden up, and was on the point of dismounting. “There are all sorts of rumors afloat in the city. What has happened? They even go so far as to say that Will Wildfire was shot.”’ The speaker was Pierce Browning, who was in a state of excitement very unusual with him. ‘He was shot at,”’ replied the landlord. ‘** At least old Pomp sent some pistol-balls fe En wildly in the air, which, by good luck, did not kill any horses, and certainly did not hit any men. Itis likely they may be found in the roof of the stable.” ‘‘But what is meant, then, by all this talk about men being killed ?”’ ‘* There was one man killed—a drunken old rogue, who was trying to physic Will Wildfire’s racer. But it was the horses jhameslyee that took revenge on him. Black Bess seems to have kicked him while he was getting into her stall, and seriously injured his leg. He managed to run out of the door of the stable, and then fell inthe road. At the same mo- ment the horse you see here was frightened by the pistol-shots, and started on a full run, His hoof came on old Jake’s head, and cracked his skull as if it had been an egg-shell, The brute creatures them- selves have taken revenge on their foe.” “ But Will Wildfire! how about him?’’ asked Pierce anxiously. ‘‘ His life is worth a dozen of such mid- night horse-doctors as this,”’ * He is enjoying a good breakfast, just now,”’ re- plied Mr. Lloyd. ‘‘He was only stunned, All his trouble was that the stable door came open in his hands rather too suddenly. Will stumbled, and fell backward, striking his head on a stone. It was a cloudy night, but I think it likely that he saw stars about that time. He came to, though, after a few minutes, and is none the worse for his tumble.”’ ‘‘ He is a raseally, ungrateful wretch, then,” cried Pierce, sourly—though really much relieved, “to give all his friends such hopes of a sensation, and then to disappoint them in this ridiculous fashion, ae on is he’ I feel like telling him what I think of im.” * You will find him in the dining-room,”’ replied the host, laughingly, ‘‘ celebrating his recovery over an egg and a cup of coffee.” ‘Let him_beware!’’ exclaimed Pierce, tragically as he ascended the steps of the porch, and passed into the house. Mr. Lloyd turned away, giving his attention to some Other affair connected with his house, while an attendant led Pierce’s horse to the stable. The host of the Blue Bell had not been thus occu- pied many minutes when he was again interrupted. This time it was Pete, Will Wildfire’s ebony valet, who had been out exercisin Bess ‘* How dis, Marse Lloydt’’ cried the boy, sputter- ing with indignation. ‘Dar some fool chap’s gwine an put anoder hoss in Black Bess’s stall. Now dat hoss ’s got to git, ‘cause I ain’t gwine to stan’ no sich nonsense.’ ‘But it is Mr. Wildfire’s own horse,” exclaimed the host. “It is Frank, his roadster. You had bet- ter put Bess somewhere else for a little while, so long as that stupid hostler has taken up her stall. She will have to be driven over to the Park in an hour or two so it does not matter.”’ ‘‘Didn’t notice ‘twas Marse Will’s own hoss, or I wouldn't keered so much,” answered Pete, greatly mollified. ‘*Ole Pomp’s foolin’ ‘round Black Bess anyhow, nussing her up fur de race; so I s*pose I mought let de hoss alone.”’ And Pete walked away to inspect the nursing operations. It was, perhaps, two hours afterward when Pierre and Will mounted their horses to ride over to Suf- folk Park, where the races of the day were to begin in about an hour more. It was a fine bright morning, with just enough snap in the air to make a brisk ride enjoyable. There had been a heavy dew during the night, and the dust was well laid. The two young men were in prime spirits as they rattled at a lively pace to- ward the race-course. ‘Are you sure the old villain didn’t physic her feed in spite of you all?’ asked Pierce. ‘H . Pomp swears that he was wide awake. He does acknowledge to a little muddiness of_brain —just a floating cloud of sleep, you know. But he was wakened up i the wind of old Jake’s stepping over him, For that, however, I think it was very lucky that I happened into the game at that minute; for I've a notion that the darkey’s brain was muddier than he lets on.” They had now reached the entrance of Suffolk Park, The place was already alive with people, and ——e the constant stream was flowing along the road leading to that locality sacred to horsemanship. “What ails your horse?’ asked Pierce. ‘* Why, the brute is all in a white lather, and is foaming at the mouth?” ‘* That is queer,” replied Will, looking at the horse, which was evidently suffering. “I never saw him held that way before.”’ They were interrupted at this moment by Charley Lloyd, the host of the Bell, who rode briskly up, a look of anxiety upon his face. ‘‘I’'m half afraid the villain may have got the start of us,”’ he cried. ‘‘Two empty bottles have just been found in the dust, at the spot where he fell. He may have clutched them in his hand. One of them has a very suspicious smell, and I have sent them over to Doctor Morgan to analyze. I doubt if he hasn’t managed to poison Black Bess’s feed, in spite of Pomp. But what ails your horse, Mr. Wild- fire? Heis whith with sweat, and he is trembling like a leaf. Look out! He is going to fall!” At this warning Will leaped lightly from the sad- dle and caught the wavering horse by the head. The os brute seemed in deep distress, foaming, and eaving with the violence of its respirations. ‘* Lead him to the stable!’’ cried one of the author- ities of the ground. ‘The horse is deadly sick. Here, Joe, take Mr. Wildfire’s horse. See what is the matter, and try and doctor him up, What he doesn’t know about physicking horses isn’t worth knowing,”’ he continued, as the person addressed = pes the suffering animal, which could hardly stand. ‘*T don’t see what this means,”’ said Will, looking doubtfully after the horse. ‘* By thunder, I have it!’ cried Mr, Lloyd, striking his knee sharply with his hand. ‘“ This horse has got the poison intended for Black Bess! It is a clear case of retribution; old Jake has revenged himself on the animal that killed him.” ‘*But how is that? I do not understand.” ‘* Your runaway horse wandered back to the Bell this morning. e was caught, and I told the hostler to put him in any empty stall in the stable. Now it happened that Bess was out exercising, and the fel- low, by lucky stupidity, put him in her stall. Pete came to me, mad as fire, and growled dire vengeance against the fool who had ousted Bess from her quar- ters. Luckily I told him not to mind, but to put her somewhere else for the present.”’ ‘*So ho!” cried the Suffolk Park proprietor. ‘*That way the cat jumps, eh? They have been try- ing to poison Black Bess, and have hit the wrong horse. I'll be shot, if that ain’t the luckiest blunder that I have heard of for a month of Sundays!” ‘*But may not the lass have nibbled at her feed early this morning?’ asked Will, Retin o ‘‘No. Pomp threw some more feed into her trough after the disturbance last night. She could hardly have eaten down to the poisoned food.”’ ‘* But look out that Pete don’t lead her to her own stall when he finds it empty,’ suggested Pierce. “There may be enough of the physic left to put her out of the race.”’ A food thought!” exclaimed the host of the Bell. “Tt will not do take any such risks. 1 will ride back as quick as my horse can carry me and pre- vent any such fatal blunder.” Without another word he turned, and put his oles to a rapid gallop over the road leading to the ell. After some further conversation the two friends entered the inclosure, both vag ybigeeer | them- selves that this lucky accident had possibly saved them the large sums they had each invested in wagers. e grounds were already well filled, the broad in- closure that bounded the track containing an excited multitude, whose coget members were actively en- gaged in canvassing the merits of the various horses entered for the day’s races. The long files of seats fronting the judges’ stand were fully occupied, as it lacked but ten utes of the hour fixed for the first race of the day. Suffolk Park is a mile track, of an oval or egg shape, perfectly level, and with a , clean bot- tom which admirably adapts it to the display of fine onpperas se. The attention of the throng of lookers-on was kept aroused by horses ae ae around the track, by the offers of enthusiastic betters, and by the various sources of amusement which such an occasion pre- sents. There was y no lack of enjoyment or of excitement in the audience. The first heat was a two-mile trot of horses with a 2:40 record. A half-dozen trotters were entered, and there was a lively time as the mettled animals broke away from the starting stand, nose to nose, and with a lively “Go!” from the judge. Shouts and yells rent the airas the animals came round again to the starting point at a rattling pace, but far removed from the evenness of their start. Two of them, indeed, were fairly out of the race, and of the other four, the foremost and hindmost were separated by three good lengths. 2 vg rok tes ane mererd in a f aipeesraactge# — ude. inc r horses to speed y avery pomsvle means, their light vehicles bounding like feathers behind the flying animals, As the end of the second mile approached the excitement redoubled. The horse which had been fourth in the first round was now seen to be parang out an une reserve force, groun step by step on his antagonists. As the quarter was reached his head was seen to lap the wheels of the foremost sulky. This position he stubbornly retained until within a hundred yards of the close, when a loosening of the reins, a light touch with the whip, and a cheerful chirrup from his driver, seemed to put new speed Black Bess, Will Wildfire’s Racer. ; eee Ter Sets” PL er es 11 into the animal. A quick, powerful burst, and he came up like a flash on the leading horse, who had no reserve force to spare. A shout that made the very floating clouds waver rent the air as he lapped this horse, and came in by a head and neck the winner. Excitement, congratulations, not unmixed with groans over lost bets, followed this lively termina- tion of the first match of the day. But the interest in the victory was soon succeeded by a new and more entrancing subject of conversa- tion. The events of the previous night, the death of old Jake, which had been well talked over, were followed by the news of the narrow escape of Black Bess from poisoning, and the lucky accident through which a much less valuable horse had taken her place. This tidings flew like wildfire through the multi- tude, and was received with various expressions of concern and indignation. Had the instigators of the dastardly attempt been detected in the angry crowd at that instant, they would have run serious danger of lynching. Yet they were there, unknown to those who were uttering anathemas against them. Two men stood —— in the center of the field, one with his arm ina sling, and a pallid face, while a look of bafiled rage marked his features. ‘We are sold!’’ he exclaimed, in a low, bitter tone, “and the old hound don’t need paying. He has got his settler from the horses.” ~ mighty good job, too,” coolly remarked Luke Lister. *‘ He is past eo i “But what is to be done? have laid a bi oo against this infernal horse, and I am devilishly raid the creature is going to win.” “There is nothing left, as I see,’’ returned Luke, “but to go for the nigger. I think we can salt the we hound in some way so that he won't be fit to ive.” “Tt is the last chance,” said Mark. ‘‘ Put your hounds on his track, Luke, Sicken him in some way, for heaven’s sake.” CHAPTER XTV. THE HORSE DETECTIVE. ‘‘NevER see’d a hoss wid better style,’’ declared Pomp, as he carefully manipulate the blooded racer. ‘She’sjess in de primest condition; ebery inch bone and muscle; an’ bottom ‘nuff fur a three mile burst. Don’t you forgit de ‘structions I's gi’n you, Pete.”’ ‘“‘Nary time,” answered Pete. “But ain’t it time de critter was havin’ her mash?” “Don’t know but mebbe ‘tis,”’ rejoined Pom leading the animal into the stable. “ S’pose we ij ut her in her own stall now. De ‘telligent critter cn’t like to be shifted "bout no more dan a human pusson would.” “T do b’lieve she’s been pinin’ over it, dese two hours,”’ asserted Pete. The two ebony-hued jockeys, the old and the young, had led Bess into her stall, and Pete had just seized the bucket for the purpose of bringing 1er some water, when the host of the Bell rode up at a thundering pace, leaping from his horse and rushing headlong into the stable. ‘‘ For the Lord’s sake don’t put that horse there!”’ he yelled. “Has she eaten or drank anything in that stall?” ‘“‘Nary a mouthful,” replied Pomp, turning around in great astonishment. ‘Put her somewhere else, then. The feed there is poisoned. Drop that bucket, Pete. Likely that is poisoned, too.” If Pete had been stung by a wasp in the handle of the bucket he could not have rapes it more has- tily. His eyes we Se in astonishment till they seemed like two white goggles in an ebony frame, ‘‘Great Jeremiah!” were the only words for which he could find utterance. ‘‘Out with her at once, Pomp. Don’t let her even smell at the trough.’ Slightly recovering from the effect of this be- wildering announcement ch ae hastily backed the horse from the stall as quickly as if he feared its very vicina prove perilous. ‘“Oh de Laud!” he ejaculated. ‘Dat old debil Jake, Felt kinder solemn ‘bout him at fust, I ‘clare; but de hosses knows what dey’s "bout. Dey’s migh- ty *telligent critters, is hosses. Some men ain’t no- whar “longside ‘em.’ While this scene was occurring in the Bell stables, a couple of travelers were approaching that locality by the road leading from delphia. They drove aslow-jogging chestnut horse, their vehicle being a sort of goods wagon, light-built, yet capacious a apt stow away a considerable quan- = of merchandise. t was empty now, however, except for the two men who occupied the seat, letting the horse jog quietly on. ‘“T’ve heard of such a thing as a blind trail,”’ said one of these, a sharp-looking, thin-faced person. ‘ ane I've 4 ae bere the sort of a track we are ollowing ‘sa cu ame we've been > but it won’t work. I anys eC we in Pst pus: ness and pleasure? There's to be some fast on the Suffolk Park course to-day. Let’s drive over and take it in,” ‘Hold !’’ replied the other, a large-built, black whis- kered-individual, ‘‘ Look at the creature, now! Her ears are up. By Jupiter! she smells familiar ground, at last.” The -looking. animal was looking rly around. ith a snort of satisfaction she broke into a quicker pace. The dull droop with which she had been dragging along, was replaced by an unlooked- for liveliness. “Sure as you're alive, we’ve hit the mark!” ex- COMME OO (G <S (E@)