Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 152 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

6 Black Bess, Will Wildfire’s Racer. muttered the boy to himself, as he strolled lazily along the road. ‘‘ Dar ain’t no use talkin’ 'bout it. I's raally ‘shamed of him. Lucky dar’s somebody *bout yere ain’t no fool. It’s jess s’prising. Dat’s what ole Pomp says. It’s jess s’prising de way — folks does ca on. An’ white folks, too, as as been to college, kon dat’s what dey call ed- dication. Heugh!”’ In this last exclamation Pete threw as much con- tempt and disgust as he could well express in any sin- gle word, He relapsed into silence as he trudged on, ut his face still expressed a measure of silent dis- content. But the boy’s attention was soon turned to a more interesting subject. He had now reached the turn in the road, from which Luke Lister’s mansion was visible. As he did so, he was surprised to see a car- riage, with a pair of horses, standing before the door, while several men seemed engaged in carrying some object into the house, What this was the boy could not determine, though he heard, above the voices of the carriers, some sounds which seemed like loud groans. Pete’s curiosity, which it was never very difficult ‘o excite, was immediately at boiling point. He nurried forward at the top of his speed, but too late to make out the character of the burden, which had now disappeared within the house. ** What’s de row?” he asked of the coachman, who was preparing to drive off, ** None of your slack, if you please,’’ returned that important personage, want to be hurt.” He drove off rapidly down the road. Pete approached the house, within which all the men had now disappeared. He cautiously peeped in at the door, but there was nobody to be seen. But his curiosity was by no means allayed by the loud groans which came from some locality in the upper regions of the mansion, To his excited imag- ination it seemed as if there must have been murder at least, if not some deeper crime. He crept on and on, drawn inward by some such irresistible attraction as draws the iron to the load- stone. Up-stairs, sr after step, he moved with in- ward trepidation. e turned, ready to leap with **Get out now, if you don’t . One bound down the stairs, as a door opened above, and a step sounded on the floor, But a man immediately appeared, a stranger to him, and he took heart. It was not the dreaded form of Luke Lister, and he felt no serious fear of ow one else, ete clung to the balusters as this person ap- proached, and asked, in a dubious tone: **'What’s de row? Who's kilt?” “None of your black business. Dry up now, and get out of this.” But as the man made no effort to put him out Pete her 218 ground, He began his of Ath ate course again, after the man had disappeared down-stairs. In fact the boy’s curiosity was now overwhelming. Not even the thought of Luke Lister restrained him in his eagerness to solve the mystery. The groans, which had now become scarcely au- dible, appeared to emerge from a room on the second floor, to whose door led a short passage. Along this Pete crept with the same cautious step, in- spired with irresistible eagerness to learn the nature of this mystery, the cause of the suppressed moan- ing which came from behind that closed door. Nothing was to be learned through the keyhole, though. Pete glued his eye to it with all the of a ehambériaid or &. waiter. : t. **Oh, lawsee! how’s I ever gwine to find out! muttered the boy to himself. ‘‘Hallo! What’s burst here?” came a loud voice behind him, as a strong hand caught him 4 the col- lar, and lifted him rudely to his feet. ‘“ Ke —s it, hey? you b Aa Bin he rat! Who the Slases this impudent little villain?” Pete had been so occupied that he had failed to hear a quick step behind him, and it was with ex- treme surprise and terror that he felt this grasp on his collar, and heard this voice in his ear. It was the dreaded accent of Luke Lister. ‘‘Tt ain’t nuffin!” whimpered Pete, shrewd enough, even in his terror, to keep his face turned away. “I’m on’y Marse Brown's y, down de road. One of his turkeys got away, an’ he sent me down yere to look arter it.” ‘*And you were looking for a turkey through a keyhole, eh?” - Didnt want to ’sturb de family,’ whimpered e te. * Let’s see your face, boy. No use to a kink in our neck trying to screw it out of sight. Hallo! Shoot me i$ I pe Medleipecc eC So it is you, then, you 3) of a total eclipse?” a Om panics it's me,” quavered Pete. ‘‘ Marse Brown's boy.” “You can't put that on, you confounded little nig,’ and Luke gave the boy a savage shake. “I know you, like a book. And I owe you a jolly set- tling before Tl let you slip me.” ‘Heugh!” cried Pete, with a t show of dis- dain, ‘ Ain’t any two little nigs jess ‘like? Nobody neber kin tell one fromt’other. Tell you I’s Marse Brown's boy, and I’s boun’ to have dat turkey.”’ The moanings from the room had ceased during the latter part of the conversation. Now a querulous voice cried out: Is that the doctor?”’ “Who is there? “No,” replied Luke. ‘ But I have something else have cap- 4 boxy eyes. See here what a prize I ured,”’ He flung open the door, and carried Pete bodily into the room, lifting him by the collar as a New- foundiand dog will lift a terrier. The boy cast his fearful eyes about the room. There had been something familiar to him in the voice, and ali his curiosity was now swallowed, up in dread. Nor was he mistaken. There, stretched upon a bed, lay the form of his old master, Mark Preston. His coat was off and his right arm and shoulder tightly bandaged. But the look of pain upon his face gave way to an eer of savage pleasure on seeing the capture which had been made by his associate. ‘* Aha!” he eried. ‘*‘So you've nabbed that snipe, have you? That’s clever. I owe the black villain something to remember me by. And I want a little amusement to make me forget this infernal arm, Scorch his back for him, Luke. Make him dance. mabe the little vagabond till he capers like a monkey.”’ ‘*“Le’me go! Jess you le’me go? Tell you I's Marse Brown's boy, and I wants dat ole turkey!” screamed Pete, writhing like an eel in the vigorous grasp of his burly captor. ‘*You don’t know me then, Pete?’’ asked Mark, with cruel malignity. ** Neber see’d you ‘fore. An’ my name aren’t Pete. It’s—it’s Jake. Jake Brown’s my name; an’ jess you gim’me dat ole turkey, dat’s all,” “Oh, yes, we'll give you the turkey; and help your memory at the same time,’’ answered Luke, dragging the boy over to where a thick leather stra lay upon achair, ‘“ We'll have a little music, pnd see if you are good at a jig.” A shade of pallor showed through all the duski- ness of the boy’s countenance. He knew the un- scrupulous nature of the men into whose hands he had fallen, and that they would have no mercy on him. And he knew as well that there was little use to scream for a Only occasionally any traveler went past that solitary house. He might sound- ly beaten before he could attract any one’s atten- tion. At this moment the roll of approaching wheels came to their ears, ‘*Dar he comes now!” ejaculated Pete. ‘You bess le’me go. Dat’s Marsa Brown's kerridge. He's arter dat ole turkey, you bet.”’ The carriage stopped at the door. *‘ It is the doctor,” said Luke, listening intently. ‘Then get rid of the boy at once!” cried Mark. We can **Lock him i somewhere out of sight. have it out of him afterward.”’ A yell came from Pete’s lips at this intimation of their malignant intention, But Luke prevented any further alarm by clapping his disengaged hand tightly on the boy’s mouth, while he lifted him as a cat would lift a mouse, and carried him up another flight of stairs, depositing him in a sort of garret. n a twinkling he had tied a thick bandage around the boy’s mouth, effectually choking the stream of his eloquence. With equal celerity he tied his limbs, leaving him on the floor ina helpless bundle. The next minute he retreated from the room, locking the door behind him, while Pete remained alone with his by no means pleasant reflections. The boy, in fact, had no objections to remaining for a while quiescent. He was exhausted with his struggles, and lay, breathing heavily, while from be- low sounds of steps and voices came to his keen ears Some fifteen or twenty minutes passed in this en- forced quiet. But at the end of this time Pete began to move uneasily in his bonds. ‘** Dar ain’t no use waitin’ yere,’’ he said to himself. ***Tain’t plum-puddin’ I’s a-waitin’ for.” The bonds had been placed around the boy’s limbs too hastily to be effectual. It was not ten minutes before he had one hand free. Five minutes more ee Rig the task, and he stood upright, in full freedom. But he was far from being safe yet. The door would not yield to his utmost efforts, There was a fireplace in the room, leading into a wide chimney. Into this he endeavored to force himself, in hopes of making it an avenue of escape. But it proved far too narrow, and he only succeeded in tearing his coat into tatters, and covering himself from head to foot with soot, which seemed the accumulation of half a century. But one other avenue remained. This was a sort of dormer window, opening onto a steep roof. The boy was agile as a monkey, and was soon out upon Ha roof, up which he quickly clambered to the e. ut he was as far from escape as ever. There was no lower roof visible to which he could descend, no tree he could reach, no strong vine or other means of descent. ; He sat here for a full hour, surveying the sur- rounding country, and determined that if Luke Lis- ter wanted him he ht come after him. At the end of that time the carriage drove away again. But had just seen something of more interest to him. This was the familiar of a horseman, approaching from the direction of the city. The boy now climbed upon the chimney, for a more extended observation. He was not mistaken. * an his master, Will Wildfire, slowly ascending CHAPTER VII. LUK® LISTER MEETS HIS MATCH. Luxe Lister, the doctor having departed, began to think in of his tponed revenge on Pete. His patient had become much easier in co uence of arm being set and properly bandaGon, and Ses suggested a return to the amusement which been temporarily laid aside. A muffled sound from above hastened Luke’s movements, Pete must have got rid of his gag, and would raise the country by cries if he was not looked after. But it was with no small surprise that Luke, on | LLL LL CC Ut ttt tat unlocking the door, found but an me =f room be- fore him. His prisoner had disappeared! ‘* What in the sun has become of the young rat?”’ he asked himself. ‘‘ Ha! I see. The window is open. He has worked himself loose and taken to the roof.”’ A single look proved the truth of this idea, There sat Pete, astride the chimney, looking eagerly down we the road. A grim laugh came from the villain’s ps. ‘“* What a little devil it is,” he muttered. ‘* Hey! there, boy? S’pose you just wheel around, and tod. dle down this way. You're wanted.”’ **Guess not,” cays returned Pete. ‘“‘I jes¢ climb up yere to take a look for Marse Brown’s tur ao Got to see dat bird ’fore ever I takes one step own.” ‘‘Come down, I say,”’ was the imperious order, _ Yere Lis,” replied Pete, ‘Guess I won't leave jess a ‘Tl bet high you do,” was the savage response. ‘If you don’t toddle down quicker than lightning, look out for a lift.” Pete turned aoe at these significant words, and found himself looking directly into the muzzle of a pistol. It was a very convincing form of argu- ment. He experienced a sudden change of opinion. “You needn’t be pokin’ out yer pistols,” he ex: claimed. ‘‘Don’t you see I'se a-comin’? Don’t b’lieve dat ole turkey’s yere, anyhow.” Pete slid along the ridge until above the window, and then let himself glide slowly down the steep slant. He was not particularly afraid of his antago. nist, for he had seen movements outside, of which the latter was unaware. As he came opposite the window, Luke grasped him by the collar and drew him within, ‘*So; you’ve been taking an airing, have you?” asked the burly villain. ‘* You need a dusting, now, after being so ong on the roof. Come along. But it was not Pete he held, but only Pete's tatter- ed coat. The boy had slipped like an eel out of the torn garment, and stood grinning at his discomfited foe. He might easily have reached the door and es- caped, but he made no effort to do so. Guess you mought keep dat coat,” said Pete. * *Tain’t my Sunday best, anyhow.” Luke glared at the tattered and soot-covered coat for an instant, and then flung it fiercely at the boy, making a quick movement at the same time, so as to cut off his escape by the door. * What sort of a game do you call this?’ asked a strong, youthful voice near him. ‘‘I never saw it played before.” Luke turned hastily. There, leaning easily against the side of the doorway, stood his mortal foe, Will Wildfire, looking on as ST as if he really ima- ined that some new kind of game was being played efore him. For an instant the villain remained stupefied with amazement. Then he burst into a paroxysm of rage, advancing a step toward his foe, and raising his pistol-hand with a fierce threat. ‘**So you've put your head into the lion’s mouth, rou infernal hound! This is my house, and my ouse is my castle. You got in here easy. You won't find it so easy to get out.” He lifted the gece with gy | intent in his eyes, But, during this movement Will had not stirred al inch. He still remained, with his shoulder restin against the door-frame, gazing on his enemy with the cynical satire of his first speech, “T hardly think you will pull that trigger, Mr. Luke Lister,’ he quietly remarked, *“Why won't I?’ ‘* Because bluster is cheap; but when it comes to courage you are not there. You had better drop it, and not making a fool of yourself, as well as a rogue,”’ Ha! Iam a coward, am I?” His face flushed with intense rage as he leveled the weapon, with deadly aim, not six c from Will’s But the resolute youth did not move, or a muscle of his face. His only action was a slign signal with his hand, t the same instant the villain’s aim was sadly dis- concerted. Pete had been creeping forward noise- eens and, at the sign from his master, sprung like a cat at Luke’s extended arm. The pistol exploded, but the ball went through the floor, Simultaneously the quiet young man leaped for- ward, caught the of his antagonist in a vise- like gripe, and with a quick twist forced him to drop the weapon. Will caught it as it fell, sent Luke staggering back by a vigorous against his breast, and the same moment cov him with the muzzle of the captured revolver. “Two can play at that game, Mr. Luke Lister,’’ he satirically said, ‘It happens that I hold the winnin hand now. What were you going to do with t Pe De was yeine to scorch Pete wid a leather the boy. strap,” cried y **Is that true?’’ ** Ask the , if you want to know,” savagely replied Luke, flinging himself heavily into a chair. ‘It is well for you it went no further,” rejoined Will, “Iam not much ren to threats, but if you ever maltreat this boy I will see that he has the chance to pay you back in your own coin. And when I say a I mean it. Come, Pete.’ He turned his back on his opponent, and walked through the door, with a carelessness that was almost insult- OE Sees oe dat ot hee ipe an’ smoke it,”’ said Pete with his tongue in eek, as he walked backward after his master. He was not going to trust a treacherous antagonist, however heedless his master — choose to be. Luke half rose, with the deadly light of revenge in his eyes. But Pete’s keen glance was upon him, Ehoo <€om S