Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 167 — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

ad a a ing aug reply. Capt. Roberts directed the machine toward a sort of cape on the island, to save bis men from being subjec to a flanking fire from the shore on either side, and the bulkhead was believed to be a sufficient protection against a front attack. — ae oF —4 4 Asa Scott, the Steamboat Boy. One of the last to give up the fight was old Jacob Bumstead, who was in the acto Denne a charge into his muzzle-loading rifle, when he was confront- ed by Asa Scott. ** Drop that gun, you old scalawag!” said the boy, ralist. ‘“‘He shot Col. Thomassieu, and I believe that he is the leader of the gang.” ‘It is false,’ replied Brackett. ‘“‘I have not fired a shot to-day. Iam here on private business, and have no connection with these le.”’ ‘*We are safe enough,” he said, as the float ap- | as he brought his rifle to his shoulder. ‘‘ Drop it as ‘** You are the worst of the batch !"’ exclaimed Nat | roached the island, ‘‘ unless they should rake us | if it was red-hot, or over you tumble.”’ Bumstead, “I saw you shoot that old gen’leman | from the tops of the trees. Ah! there is one going Bumstead dropped the weapon at once, and an ex- | arter he’d knocked Jerry outen the tree. We've up now!”’ . pression of intense gratification overspread his | stuck to you through ck and thin, and now you { e firing on shore stopped for a few minutes, | coarse features as his eyes rested on Snakeroot. want to w off on us.”’ <<< . prise and pain. and then a shot came from the tree which Capt. Roberts had noticed, and the bullet struck the leg of one of the men on the raft, eliciting a cry of sur- But the next moment another shot was fired, and the man in the tree fell to the und, ‘* Pull with all your might, boys!’’ commanded Capt. Roberts. ‘‘if we can run herin now, we will have them where we want them.” The moonshiners soon recovered from the con- sternation caused by the fall of the marksman from the tree, and turned their attention to the float; but they had fired only a few des ye shots when it was grounded at the distance of about twenty yards from the shore. Capt. Roberts and his men, who had been waiting for this moment, rose to their feet as soon as the float stopped, and delivered a well-directed volley at the moonshiners, Then they jumped into the water, which was hardly more than knee deep, and made the best of their way to the shore, firing as they went, and spreading out so as to weaken the fire of their antagonists. Capt. Roberts's signal shot had been heard and understood by Judge Dalby’s force on the other site of the lake, though the men on the island, if they noticed it all, probably supposed it to have been fired by some solitary hunter. After the sig- nal they waited impatiently for further develop- ments, keeping close to their horses, ready to mount and ride over the sunken road as soon as the com- mand should be given. Judge Dalby went down to where Westleigh was stationed, that he might better be able to judge when he ought to bring his force into action. After the lapse of half an hour, though the time scemed much longer to the anxious watchers, occa- sional shots were heard on théisland, and the young naturalist became excited. “Let us go “The fight has begun,"’ he said. over.” **Don’t be in too much of a hu my young friend,” cautioned the judge, who had heaxd firi on many battle-fields. ‘‘Only one side is en aged as yet, and that a? slightly. They are trying to draw the fire of our friends, but without success. If we should cross over there too soon, we would be likely to make a mess of it. If Capt. Roberts and his men should by any accident fail to make a land- ing, the islanders would turn on us and wipe us out easily. We must strike as soon as nomatihe after Roberts strikes, but must wait for him to give the first blow.”’ The firing soon became more rapid, but Judge “Is it really you, my son?’’ he exclaimed. ‘‘One of the boys I saved from a watery grave! The ao 883 who live here told me that they were attacked y robbers, and I was fighting for my life; but I must be safe, now, as I am sure that sucha fine you feller as you wouldn’t be mixed up with robbers.”’ ‘Wish I may drop dead this minute,” said Snake- root, “if you ain't the cheekiest old sinner I ever struck. Afraid of robbers, are you? Well, yeu ought to know what a robber is, if any man knows, Saved me from a watery grave, did you? Now I want you to walk square off and take me to that other chap you saved from a watery grave and wanted to burn the life out of.” The Honest Trader scratched his head as if he were considering a difficult problem. Then he look- ed A se with what he intended for a benignant sinile. ‘You mean the young gen'leman who was took up fur hoss-stealin’,’’ he said. ‘‘ His friend, Major Bracket!, got him out of jail, and brought him here fur safe keepin’, out of the way of his inimies. We've took the best kind o° keer of that dear young feller, and you'll find him safe and well.”’ ‘*Lead me to him, then,” insisted Snakeroot. ‘I don’t believe a word you say, but Ido kpow that if you have harmed a hair of his head ee will have to suffer for it. Don't be looking at that gun on the ground, but trot right along, and be sure you go straight, or I willlet you know that this rifle shoots Jacob Bumstead led the way, without any more words, to the cabinin which Asa Sproule was+con- fined, Bnakeroot following him with his rifle held ready for use. “I've got the key,” said the old hypocrite, in an apologetic way, as he stopped atthe door. ‘‘ That's because I have been feedin’ the dear young feller and tendin’ to him mighty close.”’ ‘“‘No doubt of that,’’ said Snakeroot, ‘“‘and it’s time for somebody to attend to you mighty close. Don't give me any more of your gab, but open that door and walk right in.”’ Bumstea ! obeyed, and Asa Sproule, who had been anxiously awaiting news of the issue of the conflict, uttered a cry of joy as he saw his friend in the door- way, and ran to grasp his hand. “Hold on, Ace!’ was the warning of Snakeroot, who was not yet ready to take his eye off of Bum- stead. ‘‘ The first — for you to do is to take your handkerchief and tie that old sinner’s hands behind his back so tight that he can’t use them. He is as dangerous as a copperhead snake.”’ Sproule willingly applied himself to this task, and “Itis false,” said Brackett again. “‘I am a gen- tleman, and can wees my character. I have noth- ing to do with such cattle as you.” at Bumstead’s indignation, combined with the pain of his wound, turned his face livid. ‘*Go back on us, will you?”’ he exclaimed. ‘Then we'll go back on iay you mean dog, and will let people know whether you had oe a n’ to do with us or not. Iwanttosay a word to the old gen’leman thar afore he arape off. Thar’s a boy who goes by the name of Tom Brackett—”’ The sentence was never finished. As quick as ary Major Brackett drew a pistol and it at Nat Bumstead, at the distance of a few steps. The ball must have pierced his heart, as he fell backward at once, and never spoke again. Major Brackett threw away his pistol when he saw the effect of his shot, and was at once seized and se- curely bound. : Col. Thomassicu started convulsively at the sound of the istol-shot, and then sunk and died in Arthur Westleigh’s arms. As Nat Bumstead was speaking, his father had come up in the rearof the group. en the young man soareee under Major Brackett’s shot, the father stumbled forward, fell on his knees at the side of his son, and actually burst into tears. His grief was so genuine and intense that Asa Sproule and Asa Scott took compassion on him. Snakeroot wi away his tears with a handker- chief, and both the boys assisted him to his feet and led him away from thescene of death. **It’s no use, old man,’’ said Snakeroot. ‘‘He is as dead as Julius Cesar, and grieving won't bring him back.”’ ‘*My boy!” moaned Jacob Bumstead, as he con- tinued to sob. “M me boy! It was a cowardly, sneakin’ shot that him, I wish 1 could cut that man to pieces.” ‘Your son v.as saying something about Tommy Brackett when he was shot,’’ saidSproule. “Do you know what he was going to say?"’ “Yes, I do, and I will tell it arter awhile, but not now, I will do all I kin to git even with chat—that murderer; but I must git away from whar he is. Take me to Tommy Brackett, and I'll tell suthin’ that'll make you open your eyes.”’ Sproule and Westleigh bad a consultation with Capt. Roberts concerning Jacob Bumstead. They told him that in their belief the old man had an tm- — revelation to make, and asked that he might taken to the Thomassieu place. ‘“‘That can be done, of course,’’ replied Roberts. “Tf I can get permission from a Dalby I will | Dalby’s practiced ear enabled him to decide that | tied Bumstead’s hands so tightly as to make him | take all my prisoners to his place for the present, as | the moment for an advance had not yet arrived. wince. some of the men have relatives about here, anc it ‘The time will soon come,” he said. “ We will go ‘* What do you think, Ace?’ said Snakeroot. ‘‘This | would not be safe to put them in the Bucksport back to our horses and get ready to start.”’ old rascal says that he saved you and me from a | jail.” —_ee a ee a knowing the strength of the enemy in their rear, the | about it. Shota man out ofa tree, and Brackett Their joy at the safe ret moonshiners were seized with a panic, and the fight | shot me,” and the. recove of Asa cake wie ayeat bat’ 5 was soon converted into a defeat. Most of the men Westleigh looked up at Major Brackett, who was | cloud followed this bit of sunshine when they listen- who had not been placed hors du_combct, threw up | smoking as placidly as if he had no concern in what | ed to the account of the captivity and death of Col. In a few moments the party were mounted, and waiting on the shore, at the head of the sunken road. As the moonshiners were all collected on the oppo- site side of the island, it was not supposed that the would observe the enemy that had come up in their rear. There was a lull in the firing, then a rattle of shots, and then a close and heavy agree ‘That means business,’’ cried Judge Dalby. **Now’s our time, men. Forward!”’ The party pushed their horses as rapidly as pos- sible over the sunken road, led by Arthur Westleigh as the one best acquainted with the ford, who was closely followed by udge Dalby and Asa Scott, Reaching the island, they tethered their horses to the bushes, and hastened forward on foot to the as- sistance of their friends. CHAPTER XXIIL THE MOONSHINERS IN ECLIPSE—A HARD CROWD. THE moonshiners presented a bold front to their assailants, when they discovered their character and numbers, and fought desperately and well. They had no thought of retreating, and, doubtless, did not pause to consider whether the ford was available for that purpose or not, as they hated the Government men with a mortal hatred, and desired nothing but to fight them to the death. Capt. Roberts’s men had the advantage in the — ty of their weapons, but the moonshiners had the advantage of position, as they could shelver themselves behind the trees on the shore, and pick off their assailants as they advanced through the water. But the latter soon reached the trees, and availed themselves of the shelter they afforded. The forces were then nearly equal, and it was doubtful with which side the victory would finally watery pares and claims to be your best friend.”’ **T will have something to say about that,” replied Sproule, ‘“‘but have no time to attend to his case just now. Where is Col. Thomassieu? Have you seen him?”’ ‘**Col. Thomassieu? I thought he was dead.” ** He is alive, or was alive this morning, and has been confined on this island. He went out to see the fight, and I am afraid that he has got into trou- ble, or he would have come back to me.”’ ** We will go and look for him. You go first, you supreme old scalawag!”’ nthe meantime a scene of a different character was being acted in another part of the island. When the fight was over, and the moonsbiners had surrendered, Major Brackett was found stand- ing with his back to a tree, smoking acigar. There was no weapon visible on his person or near him, and he had the appearance of having taken no part in the contest, and of feeling no interest in the com- batants. But ata little distance from where he stood lay Col. Themassieu, stretched upon the ground, and ap ntly wounded. o this point the captive moonshiners were brought, all of them catonche’ | bound, except such as were toe severely wounded to attempt to escape. Among them was Nat Bumstead, whose right arm had been shattered by a rifle-ball. With Capt. Roberts came Arthur Westleigh, the only man of the party who could claim any medical knowledge, to do what he could for the wounded of both sides. Before he yrgen his inspection of the moonshiners he perceived the prostrate form of Col. Thomas- sieu, and ran and knelt at the old gentleman's side. “My God, Roberts!” he exclaimed. ‘Here is a The permission of Judge Dalby was easily obtain- ed, and Bahn pe te were made for leav the island. The illicit still was destroyed, and all the re- ceptacles that held ‘‘ mash” and *“‘ moonshine " were demolished. It was evident that large quantities of illicit whisky had been manufactured on the island, and Capt. Roberts plumed himself upon the im- portance of his capture. The work of destruction was hurried up, as the afternoon was passing away, and as soon as sible all the living were carried on horses to the main land, including the wounded of both sides, and ex- cepting a guard that was left in charge of the dead, until their bodies could be removed for burial. Two of Capt. Roberts’s men were numbered with the dead, and three of the moonshiners, including Nat Bumstead. Col. Thomassieu was the sixth who was thus accounted for, and Capt. Roberts was ob to confess that the seizure of the island had a hard and bloody battle, CHAPTER XXIV. CONCLUSION. THE cavalcade under the command of Capt. Rob- erts moved so slowly that it was not until r dark thatit reached Judge Dalby’s place. Then the re- sources of his establishment were strained to furnish food for the party, and medical assistance for the wounded was secured. These were properly cared for and made comfortable, and the unwounded pris- oners were lodged in a commodious outbuilding, and a strong guard was set over them. were thus dis of but Major Brackett, and he was assign- ed other quarters at the special request of Jacob Bumstead, who exhibited a not unreasonable de- gree of fear of the man who had killed his son. ¢ . Asa Sproule, after receiving the joyful greeti rest, when Judge Dalby’s command appeared in the | sad surprise. This is Col. Thomassieu, and he is | of Flora Dalby, rode off with Arthur Westlei ts rear of the moonshiners, and dashed forward with | dead.” the Thomassieu place, to inform the ladies of the a yell. By a previous arrangement with Capt. Rob- erts, the men of both bodies of the aiacking force had tied strips of white muslin around their hats as a distincuishing mark, and Judge Dalby was careful to direct the fire of his party so that it would not in- jure their friends, Finding themselves between two fires, and not their hands and surrendered, and those who still en- deavored to resist were captured or shot down. “Not dead, but dying,” feebly muttered the colo- nel, and Westleigh partly raised him and gave him some stimulus to revive him, : ** How did you come here?” asked the naturalist. : How did this happen?”’ a.,ong story,’’ answered the old gentleman. plortgage a fraud. Ask Sproule. He knows all was going on about him. - Qeours that man, Capt. Roberts,’’ said the natu- events of the day, and to break to them as gently as possible the news of the death of their father. Although the hour was late, Laura and Emma Thomassieu had not retired, but were anxious! awaiting intelligence of the expedition, which West- —— 1 told them they might expect to receive hat night. Thomassieu. Yet there was fully as much rise as sorrow in their reception of this sad pews. They 17 a | ~ comicbooks : . — : . o i oe ee i . ‘ LL a eS a ee CS ee EE aE ae ;