Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 169 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

’ il wv ano oenalty for listening to our deli ____ Tornado Tom. ———— Then he reapproached the aperture, lifted the , Gold League were not going to condemn him, | | bloody. Not only was he thus situated, bart. tear: «webtwork of vines and crept in. Along one of the wails there was a continu- ous shadow, and Tornado Jr. selected it as a shield. ** No, it is not Tornado Tom,” suddenly went ‘rough his mind as he halted. “A band of »nen have taken possession of the cave. More ‘unters of the mine of gold, ’ll bet my head.” Voices rough and sonorous had told the young :<lventurer that a number of — now ten- urited the cuve, and he had halted against the ;ock of the passage, his loudly thumping heart i) his throat. Suddenly the rough raising of the vines made ‘vim turn his head toward the opening; but all “as dark and he saw nothing. But why did he bug the wall closer? There were footsteps in the gloomy corridor, and all at once a harsh oath rung in his ears as a hand like the talons of.an eagle swooped down upon him “Td like to see a mouse escape old Cat-eye even at night!” said little Tornado’s captor. * By jingo! hyar’ $s a prize fur the Br otherbood. Aw a hoy, too, ‘pon my heart! Hyar, giv’ me thet weepin’, Daisy. I've see’d sich things go off in the hands ov a boy.” Tornado Jr, did not try to retain the revolver which the hand of the ruffian had taken. In- deed, it seemed ready to drop from his nerve- Jess fingers, and he parted from it very quietly. A moment afterward the youth felt himself dragged toward the light, and when it was strong enough he looked up into the face of his captor. Another mystery! Instead of a face the boy confronted a long gray mask, or in other words a real hangman’s eap, with the exception that it contained two eye-holes! Tornado Jr. was amazed at this discovery, but his reflections were brought to a ly cermination, for he found himself standing in the midst of a circle of such masks, and that in ‘the very cave where Tornado Tom and himself had lately established their head-quarters. His captor had flung him forward, and he stoed alone in the midst of the strange masked brotherhood. From whence had they come? And what was their mission, thus clad, in the unknown land? The boy thought the last problem not very hard to solve. Of course they hunted that prize which had lured Tom and Injun Jack, his enemy, across the mountains—the wonderful, lost, and, per- } nae mythical mine of gold, e boy could not but stare at the circle, at the 2 pea masks which did not differ from one er in the minutest particular, and while he looked he seemed to forget his own peril. ‘‘Where did our brotha find the fiste ner?’ said the voice of one of the brotherhood. ‘‘He was in the passage crouched ag’in’ the wall an’ listenin’,” was the reply which came from the mask who had captured our hero. ‘Brethren of the Gold League, what is the rations?” ** Death!” The solemn answer fell from twelve tongues, and Tornado Jr. started back as if a scor = had shot from the ground and hissed at his ** You are sure he was listening, brother?’ Ks He ward I ketched ’im in the very act. ‘im.” The youth saw the dark eyes of the leader of the Gold League fix themselves upon him. There was not much pity in them at least; what expression was on the face he did not know, for he could not see it. ‘You have been caught within hearing dis- éance of a council of the Gold League,” said the chief. ‘‘ What did you hear?” Tornado Jr. started forward with hope flutter- ing at the bottom of bis heart. aybe a defense would save him. ‘‘] heard nothing for I was not listening,” he said. ‘‘I know no more at this moment about your council than I knew a year ago.” The boy sent a quick glance around the circle as he concluded, to note the effect of his words, and saw that they had not favorably impressed the League. “You were near enough to hear, yet heard nothing! Come, come, boy, the truth.” “T have told the truth!” A moment’s silence followed. ‘ Brethren, the proof is not quite clear against the culprit,’ declared the chief. ‘* He may not have heard, but yet we must suspect. Our order is founded ou justice, and one of our laws is that our pris- overs must have the benefit of the doubt.” ‘heart of Tornado Jr. leaped for joy The ’ “ . * ae - ~ » - — fae en hme meme —— tg oe om ee a Ae Pm —ya ¥ and he would live to cover their secrets. But the next moment his face grew pale again. ‘*The boy must take the oath. As it doesnot seem exact justice to visit the death penalty upon him we must secure ourselves neverthe- less, Brother Salvo, the iron!” A cold chill crept to our hero’s heart. ‘* No! no! do not bind me by an oath. I have one to keep already—one taken last night.” The League exchanged mystified glances. ‘*T will keep this scene sacred without an oath,” continued the boy. “I do not want to become a member of your order.” ‘* You must, or die!” Tornado who had started toward the chief of the Gold League stopped and stood stock still. ‘*The oath, then. I am ready!” he said. But away down in his heart he thought: ‘‘ An oath forced from one by such men as these can not be considered binding. Then he noticed that ie mask called Salvo was kneeling before the fire that burned on the floor of the cave, and that he was manipulating a — iron rod which he had thrust among the coals ‘‘ Prepare the candidate!” suddenly said the chief, pointing to Tornado Jr., and almost be- fore he could realize anything, he stood in the midst of four men who had exposed the whole of the upper part of his figure to the light. Then the entire league contracted its folds, and eleven knives, long bladed and murderous looking, were thrust against his breast and held there by hands that never quavered! It was the most thrilling moment of the young adventurer’s life. ““Swear that you will never reveal to mortal ear thing concerning the Brethren of the Gold wr ague, of which order you become a member nicht Swear that you will execute every command that shall come to you from the High Chief of the League, even though you are commanded to take the life of your dearest | friend. Do you swear?” The brain of the boy seemed to reel, he saw a thousand masks before him, and knowing not what his lips said, he framed the wor _. swear,” and sta gered back. “The seal, Salvo! Quick !” The man at the fire sprung up and darted for- ward, a red-hot iron in his band. The next moment a groan of terrible pain welled from the boy’s heart, a sickening smoke hid his face, and as the infernal brand seared | bis breast he sunk to the ground like a dead man! Half an hour later he awoke and started up. He was still in the cave, and the fire was burning on the floor; but where were the Breth- ren of the Gold League? ‘‘Thank heaven! it was alla dream!” he cried. A dream? Why was his flesh so painful, if his initiation was only a dream? To convince himself, he tore his garments a , and saw the brand of a bowie-knife on his breast! A cry of horror pealed from his throat. Jur was a member of the accursed Gold ague! rey as he started back, he ag 3 pe to cast his eyes at the wall, and ‘there he saw traced in great ,white letters the single word—“ Rr- MEMBER!” ‘Yes; I will remember!” he cried. ‘‘ And may I die friepdless and alone if I do not avenge this dastardly outrage. Brethren of the Gold League, beware!” Foolish boy, beware yourself! CHAPTER VIII. THE GOLD LEAGUE VISIT RED CORE. “Now for the other one,” said the chief of the masked men, as they left the cave where the boy lay in a swoon beside the fire, the brand of the accursed League on his breast. ‘“ Which other one—the Injun?” **'Yes;” and the speaker’s eyes had a mali- cious glitter. “ Injun Jack.” Then the Gold League knew that Injun Jack was in the country. Did they intend to make him wear the brand of brotherhood? We shall see. At a secluded spot not far from the cave the twelve found horses enough to accommodate the entire party. These animals were guarded by a man who did not wear a mask. He was a) fierce repulsive-looking fellow, and his forehead was bound with a coarse cloth that, was quite mee ee ee erret them out and dis- | left arm lay in a rude mountain sli Not far from where the horses stood lay tww- huge dogs, dead. The carcasses had beem pea- forated by bullets, and hacked by knives, sexu: they told the story of the conflict which Thame. do Jr. had heard, but could not see. 4 ”* The Indian’s dogs had not fared well af tim | hands of the mountain Brotherhood. After the exchange of a.few words wit tiie guard, the League sprung to saddle and roche away, each one wearing the long gray which effectually concealed his features. They galloped through the deserted , like a troop of specters, or flitted ar ‘thie. hills like men who had some terrible objeet ime view. Not a word was spoken or arein drawenwoti®. the thirteen came suddenly upon the litthe emt. in which we have once or twice visited im thawe. course of our story. Red Corse, silent and, to all outward aggaear: ances untenanted; lay before them. Day was breakin again, and the little house was distinctly visible. For a moment the League took it in with tm surroundings, when at asign from their eliief | the entire band trotted forward and drew seim _ before the front door. EL There was the glitter of a fiendish triumpin Sm... every eye that looked from behind the Soamgr masks, and the repeating rifles that crossedk She: backs of the League were silently unslung em@® made ready for an emergency, All at once the League chief leaned forwram#t and struck the door Suveral sharp blows with. the butt of his piece, then straightening up male. saddle again, waited for an answer. It was not long delayed for the door begmm-ts.., open and every rifle went to shoulder, But the next instant a cry of surprise wemigap.. ward from every Leaguer’s lips, for, in theaékaer. way stood, not the well-knit and a — am ure of Injun Jack, but a real vision of ; ness—a youn girl fresh from her couch, andes. beautiful as the S enoriy Olive! It was evident that she had e ted to Gpem. . the door to a person who would have beemwel- comed across the thresbold, for there was #&, smile of greeting on her lips: but the next fm-.. stant she started back with a white face and cry of girlish terror! e sight was enough to unnerve her heart ‘Hello! we hardly expected to see an re exclaimed the captainof the League. ** run off an’ get yourself into trouble. where you are, the least—not if you obey us.” e don’t intend to hurt bas. ~ on” . tm. There was something in the last half of. figs Olivet man’s sentence that sent a chill to heart. They were going to make her obey themm ity something. She had started to retreat into the cabin, — at the sound of the captain’s voice she and faced the guns aimed at her breast. ‘‘Where’s your pard? Where’s Injun Jacke ~ asked the chief, ‘‘He is asleep,” said Olive without a chamgme;:: of color. * Asleep after all our noise here? Come, gin). no shenanigan.” po ae we has no value come im emd> - mis He been sick; he was sick all day yem~ terday.” The leader eyed the beautiful speaker as ff iam. would pierce her soul and read her imme... thoughts. Was she deceiving him? “Call him out!” he said at last. Olive turned half-way around, and called Ea.. jun Jack twice in her sweet voice, but theme» was no nse. ‘*You know, sir, how a sick man sleeps witom:. he is weary,” she said turning again to thie teen. ‘*Go and wake him,” was the answer, aceoam- panied by an oath which had hardly Ccoasetns. to sound when the girl disappeared. The men on horseback listened intently, wii» rifles at their shoulders, More than one pr et inclined to believe that the girl was d them; but when rit heard her voice trying to rouse somebody from sleep, te i ‘Confour e gir !” growled the im captain of the League at length, ‘‘Injun Javk> must be as dead as a herring. Il fet ch imi” With the last sentence the speaker threw @ma®>- leg over the saddle-horn preparatory te mounting, and wasabout to leap to the Ses iy was checked by the sudden returm. ane e vir - 4M | ; 300KS iC =?