Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 162 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

- . - . ss * - \ “” ty ‘ ae ‘Will Wildfire i _ “*Skoot us ali for donkeys!’’ he cried, “if we ain't > \he little nig! It’s the missing blackbird t’y in the skiff.”’ “What, Pete?’’ exclaimed Ben, in an earnest tone. “ By ‘eal we must save him, then, if it’sin the Ww ” “The boat’s struck the channel, and head on; by the best of \uck!’’ cried Joe. ‘“‘Down, down he goes!’ “Ship yer oars!’’ screamed Jerry. ‘“‘Trim boat! And set as still as sparrers on a fence. A feather mought upset us "mong these rocks,”’ The fugitive boat was shooting like an arrow down the first straight reach of the rapids. In a minute afterward the other boat struck the incline, and darted downward. F It was like gliding on an inclined plane of glass, as they entered this first sn»ooth reach of the treacher- ous rapids. Harry and ben wondered for an instant where the danger was. Their backs were to the rocks, but they might have seen the peril of their situation in Jerry’s set, stern face, in the fixed gllit- ter of his eye, and in his firm elutch of the tiller. ‘* He’s shootin’ the rapids like a breeze!"’ cried Joe. “Ha! the craft’s caught in the eddy! There it twists! The jaw-bone rock has got it! Good heavens, men, it’s bein’ torn asif it was in the mouthofa rizzly bear! I wouldn't Baty toss of my old cap ur the little nig’s life! at ails him, anyhow, that he sticks to the bottom?” The others could hear the rending of timber, but their own peril was too great for them to think of aught else. They were now shooting past rocks, swerving at quick turns into cross reaches, darting under the edge of curling foam. “The boat’s in splinters!’ announced Joe. “ But the nig’s above water yet. He’s hangin’ onto the keel. Bless my eyes, if he ain’t tied hand and foot! The hound’s been tryin’ to murder him, too.” ‘** How fur ahead?”’ yelled Jerry. ** Ye'll be on him in a minute. Sure’s you live he’s cotched inan eddy! He's whirlin’ like a dead leaf! If ye’ve the mind to risk it, you mought grab fur him in passing. It’s the on’y chance, but it mought beach you all.” Without a moment's hesitation Ben Huntly twist- ed round in his seat, so as to face ahead. It was a frightful sight that he beheld. All before him seem- ed a strange mingling of rocks and foam, and toss- ing waves, through which no safe prenege appesiee possible. And just in advance, in a little bay-like corner of the flood, an odd-looking mass was shoot- ing round and round, in a swift eddy. ‘Quick! Ther’s on’y one chance. Ef you miss one t’s all up, mebbe with him and you both!” cried oe, As for Jerry, he had but one duty to perform. His es eye was fixed ae on the rocks ahead. He had three lives to save. The fourth must trust to its own chances. But as they passed the whirling eddy, Ben, who had crouched downin the boat, with his arm ex- tended outward, made a quick, successful grasp at the twisting mass. He made no perilous effort to draw it from the water, but with a vigorous hand, pressed it firmly against the side of the boat. In an instant more the darting craft shot past the eddy, leaped between two rocks in front, and turned into a new channel, grazing one rock so closely that the sleeve and part of the flesh was torn from Ben's arm. But, despite the sharp pain, he held on with a death gripe, retaining, with all his strength, his prize against the ferocious water, which sought to tearit from his grasp. | Another quick swerve around a rock to the left, and a broad smooth channel lay before them. They were still in the rapids, and darted forward with un- checked speed. But in another minute they struck the quiet waters below, Jerry giving a shout of triamphas the boat shot across the smooth stream ory by the roar of the rapids as by the cry ofa affled tiger. ‘ With Harry’s aid Ben’s prize was now lifted on board. It was indeed Pete, tied hand and foot, and with a broad bandage drawn tightly around his mouth, A moment sufficed to free him from his bonds, and he made the first use of his liberty to stand up and take a eg ook at the peril just passed. “ Golly, but dat were a hizh ole jump down-hill!”’ he exclaimed. ‘“ Lucky my mouf was tied up so tight, or Imought a-swallered more water’n I wanted. It 5 ole Marse Preston dat’s done this, folkses, an’ if e's arter him he’s done struck ‘cross country fer de enous ~ 2 nouks azo.” ’ what made you lay there, li in the a vs 9 the hag growled Joe. MeRAaee, $m ‘Coz I were tied down, Jess ’s much 's I could do ie at m ys uP. Ber phan ane de ole boat was abbered inter toothpicks; but Jiminy! I t’ i wo all day wie dae “i ie aegis ‘No use standin’ here,” said Jerry. “Ww i leave the boat, It'll be safe. We've vot 8) “a back fur that chap’s trail. Id gi’n a cow togot on that b'ar-hunt to-day; but ef we kin run down this wild-cat it’s "bout as good, Let's strike out.” In five minutes more they were malaimg their way , on the back track through the woods. CHAPTER XIZL. Tix FIGHT WITH THE BEAR. Ir is about time that we were returning to the perilous tion in which we left Mark Presto treed by Jerry Prime’s bear, and in terror at wha he deemed a ce of Will Wildfire’s ghost. Hie trembled so that he with difficulty prevented himself from falling into the jaws of the patient , \ | ’ . > bei: raid ta ’ 4 7 ‘ ’ wes . 4 | f As for the two men who had just discovered him, some strange thoughts passed through their minds. A short, grim laugh broke from Pierce’s lips. ** By all that’s good,’’ he exclaimed, ‘‘ but our rat is caught in a neat trap. I move we back out of the quarrel, and leave him and the bear to settle it. Be- tween you and me, I'd sooner see the bear get the best of the fight.” n the Wodds. ** [don’t see why I should put myself in danger to | help him,’’ Will replied. ** Here, Sport! ere, you little fool! cured in a Here, Carlo!” You'll be | gun, an urry if that chap gets a paw on you. | shoulder can attest. I may hurt his feeliugs.” 11 Come on, then, Ij this must be the last bear Shaan Peat pe Enea We nigh erry Prime spoke of yesterday. e might as well have the honor of killing cine ‘If he don’t turn the tables, and obtain the glory of killing one of us,’’ returned Will, examining the charge of his rifle. ‘‘I wish you had brought some thing of more use than a shot-gun,”’ ““T will tickle him, anyhow, with a load of buck- shot,’’ replied Pierce, as he drew the charges of his reloadedit. ‘‘She shoots hard, as my —_——— A cry of joy burst from the cuaking prisoner of The dogs, who were barking yoni oe around the | the bear, as he saw his ae eS rescuers again j bear, which had reared itself on its readiness to receive them, reluctantly obeyed this stern call. The irate animal followed them a few steps, fixing its ferocious eyes on their master. But as they withdrew with the dogs, the bear returned instantly to its station under the tree, evidently thinking that a bird in the bush was worth two upon the wing. The involuntary prisoner had made a hasty move- ment toward the trunk of the tree during this diver- tissement, with the hope of a possible escape from all his foes. But this hope died out at the return of the bear. The villain’s feelings of superstition had vanished inaninstant. He realized in a second thought that they were living men that he saw, and he again piteously ap ed for help as he beheld them dis- appearing in the bushes. But they walked on, heed- less of his cries, and were soon hidden by the tall stems of the thicket. As for the animal] it seemed to hesitate between two opinions. Now it took a few steps, in its rollin gait, toward the bushes, now returned and gaze wistfully up the tree, licking its red chops as if it fancied it was being very badly treated. Its next movement was toward Mark Preston's rifle, which lay uselessly on the ground. This the bear picked up in its sharp teeth, and spitefully bat- tered it against the tree, Dropping the weapon the animal took another eedy observation of its foe. He was now on the hick part of the limb, near the trunk. Just what thoughts passed through the bear’s mind we will not venture to interpret, but the next moment he clasp- ed the tree-trunk, and began to make a lumbering ascent. Another piteous cry for help came from the lips of the unhappy man, at this new move of his foe. He hastily scrambled back again to the slender part of the branch, followed by the bear, which had now gained the limb. Step by step the cautious creature advanced, clinging firmly to the bough, while Mark caught an ms limb for support, and made his way out to where the wood was perilously weak. The bough, indeed, was bending dangerously un- der its double load. With his habitual caution the bear carefully paused at each movement to test its effect upon the limb. He stopped, at length, on finding that it swayed down at a perilous angle. Only about three feet separated the fugitive and his ursuer, who remained crouched upon the branch, his small, fierce eyes fixed eagerly upon his prey while the open jaws showed a row of uncomfortably sharp teeth. Mark Preston looked despairingly down. He was twenty feet from the ground; too far to risk a fall. He tried, by swaying the limb, to shake off the brute; but Bruin clung firmly, and seemed rather to enjoy the exercise. Ho next looked eagerly for the men who had so coldly retreated, leaving him in his ) bitter peril. “‘Cowards!"’ he exclair ed. ‘ Dastards! Toleave aman exposed to so cruela death! Punish me as you will; but save me, ch, save me, from this fate!”’ The reader must not suppose that Pierce Browning and Will Wildfire had any serious thought of aban- doning the wretch to the jaws ofthe bear. Their only idea was to punish him severely for his attemp- ted crime. They were, in fact, now hidden behind the thicket, out of sight from their foe, but able to see, through chinks in the bushes, all that was going oO n. “By Jove, there's a situation!” cried Pierce. “ He's trying to shake the bear down; but Sir Bruin ain’t that sort of anapple. He doesn’t let go his hold so easily. It is just as neat a bit of retribution as the day you horsewhipped him at the games.” ‘‘Had we not better go to his rescue?” asked Will. ‘‘I don’t want to see the bear quite get him.” ‘*No, no, you soft-hearted boy. Let them have it out. He is good for a half-hour yet. Wait till you see his hair begin to turn white with the scare. It fe be time enough then to try our hands at a bear- unt.”’ It was fun, for those who could look upon it in that light, to see the conflict between Mark and the bear. In his despair he delivered a furious kick at the animal. The alert creature caught the boot with his ready paw, and made a vigorous effort to pull Mark toward him. Bruin, failing in this, con- veyed the boot to his jaws, and began to gnaw at it. Only by quickly jerking his foot out of the captured leather did Mark save his flesh and bones from being subjected to the same fate as the boot. Bruin contentedly gnawed away for a while, at his prize; not for an instant removing his eyes from the trembling prisoner, whom he hoped to serve in the same way before long. “Come, come,” said Will, his sense of humanity growing stronger than his desire for revenge Hadn't we better go to his rescue? You heard m give us the privilege to ish him in what way we would, if we only saved him from the bear." “I fancy he is pretty seve panished already,’ hed Pieroe, as he Picked u n. “I haven't &% sweet a morsel of satisfaction for a year. ind legs in | approach. The animal saw t | A | E em also, and at once began to back down from the limb, with awkard haste. Ere he could reaeh the ground he was attacked by the uncontrollable dogs, who barked madly about him, sinking their teeth in his sh hide. 4 Here, Carlo! Here, Sport!’ yelled Pierce. “‘Here, you fools! He will tear you into ribbons, if he once gets his paws on you. Ware, Sport!” | His warning was too late for the younger dog; for the bear, the instant he touched the ground, struck the incautious brute with a quick dab from his well- armed paw. The yelping hound rolled helplessly over, and was instantly caught in the crushing hug of the infuriated beast. “Tt is all over with Sport,” Will sorrowfully re- marked. “Itisapity; forhe had the making of a good dog. Shall I revenge him by a bullet?’’ *“*Are we near enough, do you think?” “*T could hit a crown piece at that distance.” “Take him just back of the ear, then. That ought to find a vital spot.”’ Carlo, warned by the fate of his companion, was barking at the brute from a distance. Bruin now dropped the torn body of the younger dog, and made a hasty assault upon his new foe, disconcerting the careful aim which Will was —— **Hold!” cried Pierce. “Our lives may depend upon that bullet. I will tickle him with buckshot.” “re Will could object he had fired. The animal slightly wounded, and furiously enraged, turned from the pursuit of the dog, and made a rapid dash toward those whom he recognized as his most dan- gerous foes. It was a critical moment. The bear was one of the largest of his species, and was no trifling foe to deal with. Only the single bullet in Will's rifle stood between the two young men and imminent peril. Yet neither had ever seemed less nervous. Will stood like an oak post, erect and firm, with his eye firmly fixed on the dangerous foe, waiting with én- forced patience for the proper moment to fire. Not ten paces now separaied them. The bear was making straight for him. The rifle was at his shoul- der with deadly aim; bis finger pressed the trigger— and at this critical instant Carlo made a furious ae 6 oe bear’s flank, causing him to quickly turn ead. It was an unlucky move. Will’s bullet, instead of traversing the brain of the fierce brute, struck him behind the shoulder, making a severe but not dis- abling wound. Quickly pg again, the wounded brute sprung furiously at his foe, who only saved himself by a hasty backward leap. It was a moment of immi- nent danger. Pierce still had a second barrel loaded with buckshot. Without an instant’s hesitation he advanced until the muzzle touched the brute’s ear, and pulled the trigger. At that short distance the shot had deadly effect. The animal fell peerey upon its side, and lay pros- trate fora moment, during which Will was hastily seeking to reload his weapon. But with a sudden accession of strength and fury it sprung again to its feet, and a¢vanced on Pie who had incautiously remained too near to avei this unexpected assault. In an instant the wounded brute was upon its — legs, and had caught Pierce in its furious em- race, Now was there peril indeed. The hug of a full- rown black bear is no trifling matter, to 7 the east. But Bruin had caught a Tartar in Pierce Browning. The gigantic form and immense muscu- lar strength of the young man made tim something of a match for his antagonist. In an instant he had the brute by the throat, keep- ing oft his glittering teeth, and choking him with a vise-like gripe, while he administered resounding kicks on the creature’s side with his heavy boots, it was not, however, a comfortable situation for himself. Thekeen claws of the animal had a red torn off his clothes, and were repding e “Hold on a minute!’ screamed Will, as he ram- med down his charge with nervous haste, “and I will put a bullet through his head.” “Hold on?’ returned Pierce, stoutly, ‘I can’t do anything else than hold on. Leave me alone, and I will whip the bear yet.” The blood of the young giant was up, and it did seem as if he might come out victor in the contest, though at severe cost to himself, as the creature’s laws were furiously rending his flesh. But at this moment the sharp crack of a rifle re- sounded in the woods to the left. It was followed by the deep bay of hounds, and by arush through the bushes. The limbs of the bear instantly relaxed their hold, its head droo over. With a quick jerk, Pierce tore himself loose from the weakened gripe, and ~— animal furiously from him. es by didn’t you leave me alone?” he angrily cried. ‘I would have choked 1i down#in e. minute more, When I go into a fight I like to here “tout.” A loud laugh gree \ 4 comicbooks: ~ his grumb....g reception of hig _ 4 cor *