Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 169 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

PO rs ok AE RE SA OS NR Se A against his adversary, fell at his side, blood- less, lijun Jack had covered him with a six shoot- _~ Tornado Tom. “The gold will all fall to Queen Olive now. The boy is out of my road.” Tornado approached the spot with the flaming er, und it wus over the glistening barrel of this | torch, and examined the tracery on the wall. weapon of death that the proposition to ‘* pool issues ” had come. Tornado had a right to be startled at Jack’s words. Not many bours had passed since he had | devils ‘* REMEMBER!” ‘‘- Yes, we'll remember!” he flashed, wheeling upon Injun Jack, up to whom he madly strode. ‘‘Injun, pard, we'll remember them hooded and every one ov ’em shall remember us! offered Olive’s protector his hand in friendship | They left that word thar fur—me? No! they to have it rejected with a mad oath of contin- ued enmity. And now Injun Jack stood before him of- fering him a compromise. What did it mean? The gaunt gold-seeker resolved to be careful. He bad lately gone blindly into the very jaws of death from which a miracle had extricated him, and he did not want to repeat the ex- perience. So he said: ** Pool our issues, Injun Jack? Thar must be more’n one trail to the Loss bonanza.” **Old Shady never heard of more than one.” ‘*Old Saacy?’ echoed Tom, amazed. ‘* Did you know ’im? Sometimes we called ’im Old cicle.” “Of course. But what do you say? Shall we pool our issues?’ A great stride on Tom’s part brought the two men together, and the eyes of the gold hunter looked searchingly into the face of Injun Jack. ‘Why?’ he asked. ‘Tell me fairly an’ ‘‘In union thar is strength,” was the answer. “You saw the Gray Hoods that rode away from here not Jong since. You know what they are after. So do I. They were at Red Core last night, an’ they told Queen Olive what we had to do or die. They will tell you an’ your boy the same thing when they meet you. Now, I come squar’ly to the point, Tornado, L-t us ool our issues as against the Gold League, an’ ght them together. Injun Jack an’ Tornado Tom! Think what a team them two names would make. Thar’s gold enough for both of us In the boss bonanza—enough to make the youngsters rich as Jews.” But ‘ornado shook his head. “ Ye’r mistaken, Injun; thar can’t be too much fur Tornado Jr.” ‘* Well,” and a smile flitted over Injun Jack’s face, ‘‘ Well, after we have whipped the Gray Hoods, we will fight for the mine.” Tornado’s eyes glittered. ‘That propersition strikes me solid!” he ex- claimed. ‘‘ Ar’ you honest in it, Injun cack?” The right hand of the man from Red Cam shot toward Tornado, and the next moment the two men clasped hands. ‘* First, the Gold League larkies, an’ then our- selves,” said Tom. ‘‘That’s the bargain!” was the response, and the a was made. Then Injun Jack was made te listen to Tor- nado’s acceunt of bis adventures, at the end of which the oath against the Gold ) Was re- newed, and the two men lately enemies started off shoulder to shoulder. Tornado Tom had not tasted foed for forty- eight hours, and he was anxious to reach the hill-side cave, where he expected to find his protege, and something that would relieve his ravenous appetite. Injun Jack could hardly keep up with him, but at length the cave was reached and the half- famished man dashed in heedless of any danger that might be incurred by such action. They tound the cavern which had witnessed the boy’s thrilling initiation into the ranks of the Brethren dark and cold. “Tornado Jr., where ar’ you? Hvar I am, nae, agin, but hungry asa wolf. Hello! young- ster The sonorous echoes of the cave made the only igs The boy is gone!” said I Jack. “Ma e id Injun Jack. - be the Hoods have been here. 7 ‘‘ Let ’em touch the boy!” flashed Old Tornado. ‘‘ Jest let any hand than mine touch ’im, an’ somebody will need a coffin in these parts.” A moment later the flashing of a lucifer began to dissipate the gloom. Tom was holding it against a bunch of the inner lining of bark, and very socn a comfortable torch scene, ‘* Look yonder!” suddenly exclaimed Injun Jack. “Js that your work?” “Thunders! no! nor the boy’s either!” was the answer that fell from Tornado’s lips as he stared at the word *‘ remember ” chalked on the cave wall, “Then they ° 34 fray )? 7 have been here,” continued the “ore, and he added to himsel?: lit up the | ' nn nn nn OO | | | i thought me dead.” ‘Then for whom?’ Tornado Tm was puzzled and his gaze flitted from the speaker to the word on the wall and back again, ‘‘By Jehu! (m stuck, pard,” he said. ‘“ But no difference We'll remember ’em, all the same.” After that the place was ransacked but no trace of Tornado Jr. was found. But the old hunter discovered that which appeased his hunger, and Injun Jack watched him as he rav- enously devoured the jerked venison. All at once Tornado Tom paused and looked at his comrade. ‘** Didn’t ycu hear it?’ he asked. ‘No! What?” ‘Out thar! Come.” The meat fell from Tornado'’s hands, and springing up be darted toward the opening. Injun Jack was at his heels, however, and Tom carefully lifted the vines. ‘* War it nuthin’—?’ he began. ‘*No! look yonder. Injuns!” The interruption was ———- for at the same moment Tornado saw the ghostlike fig- ures that stood not far away. And the two men contemplated the specters unseen themselves, but with their hands on their revolvers. ‘Held yer breath hard, fur they’re comin’ this way,’ 7 TP A tial ttt Tom into Injun Jack’s ear. ‘*Mebbe they want to stop at the Hote! de Tornado. If they do, Injun, by jingo! we 1] accommodate ’em.” The figures were moving, and that almost directly toward the cavern, watched by the two men, whose eyes were flashing like living coals. owe Injun Jack started and an oath so Joud fell from his lips that his comrade turn- el toward him with a look of madness. ‘*They’ve been to Red Core—the red devils have!” cried Jack. “‘ Why so?” ‘‘ Where are your eyes? Whois that on the fifth horse?” Tom instinctively looked at the disappearing forms and noted the fifth horse. | The tigure on the back of this particular ani- mal was not Indianfied, and despite the dim light, Tom saw enough to exclaim: | “The gal, by Jehu! They bev been to Red Core, sart’in !” “Yes, to Red Core, an’ when Injun Jack was not on hand!” was the quick reply, and. the speaker would have darted from the cave if the vise-like gripe of Tornado had not detained him. ‘“‘ You're furgittin’ the Gray Hoods, Don’t go out thar an’ waste yer life fur the gal.” ‘“* Not even fur Queen Olive?” “‘ Not even fur her!” The answer was a mad wrench, but Tornado’s gripe never loosened. ‘Remember! that’s the word, Injun Jack. We're to fight fur the bonanza when we hev wiped out the Gold League. You must keep yer part ov the barg’in. I’m goin’ to keep mine.” ‘‘ But I must save Queen Olive. I will!” The next instant the two men were struggling in the gloom of the narrow corridor—Tornado Tom trying to keep Injun Jack back, and the latter attempting to release himself that he might rush to the rescue of the rider of the fifth horse. The two men were so equally matched in strength that the fierce struggle was for a long time doubtful, and at last they both fell heavily in the light of the still blazing torch. Injun Jack was uppermost. ‘** Now I will go!” he hissed. ‘Tornado Tom, Icould kill you here, but I will not. Injun Jack never broke an agreement in his life, an’ the compact what we made awhile ago shall be sacredly ke>t on his part.” ‘* Then go.” The tawny hands of the gaunt gold-hunter re- laxed their gripe, and before he could rise the handsome fizure of Injun Jack bounded away. Tornado Tom sprung to his feet and darted after him, but the vines dropped quivering be-~ fore the cave door, and he saw the figure of the man from Red Core flit like a Nemesis through the starlight. | - ’ a ae — _—~——— — —_——_ “Wal, let ‘im ¢o!” he murmured turni: ¢ beck toward the cave. “Illi keep my part ov the agreement, too. We'll hunt the gray-hoods to. gether, an’ then fight to the death fur the boss bonanza. Rememuver! that’s the word fur ye, Tornado. Awake er asleep, don’t furgit it.” ‘““Hold! that word belongs to me!” Tornado Tom turned as if an adder had hiss-- ed behind him. ‘‘ Wal, by my life! the boy!” he exclaimed. ‘* Say, little one, hev ye risen from the dead} Whar in the name ov goodness hev ye been, any how ?” ith one bound Tornado had reached the ap- parition, and his hands were clutching the youth’s arms while he was gazing—nay, staring into the upturned face. ‘* Let me go!” cried Tornado Jr. as he sud: denly wrenched himself from the hands, and before they could regrasp him he stood beside the word on the wall, a bowie-knife in his cluteb and vengeance in his eyes. | ‘“This word is my property!” he cried, ‘‘T have cause to remember; you havenone. Claim it, if you dare! You have been absent almost three days; you deserted me! I know what brought you to this ccuntry—a gold mine whose wealth is without end. Ihave as good right to be a money king as you, Tornado. 1 have found the gold mine!” A wild cry broke from Tornado Tcm’s throat,. ** You, boy ?’ be cried, darting forward. “ Whar is it?” ‘*' Yes, where is it?’ was the taunt. ‘That is for me to know and for you to find out! I will be the gold king of Idaho, while you, who deser- ted me, can stay here or go back to Omaha as poor as you left it. Ha! ha! Tornado!) how does the prospect suit you?” A mad oath was the response. ‘‘Stand where you are!” shouted the hoy, ‘You touch me at the risk of your life. Iam not alone now. Look! use well your eyes and remember, I ne to the Brethren of the Gold League. Behold the sign!” At the same time the boy tore open his jacket, - a revealed the bowie-knife burned into his reast. A wild cry resounded throughout the cave, es pers torch which Tom had picked up feli at. is feet! Then a figure darted past him. CHAPTER XI. BUCK TAIL’S SECRET.. ) Pee THE eyes of Injun Jack had not deceived bim. The Indians bad been to Red Core, and the rider of ‘‘ the fifth horse” was none other the Queen of that little kingdom. wt lf the Gray Hoods had failed, they at least had triumphed. Stratagem had given them a captive, and the girl who had awed the desperate Gold League fell easily into the hands of the red-skins. She was not tied to the animal that carried her along, but the bridle-rein of buffalo-cord — held by the young Indian that rode at her. side. i More than once Olive caught the painted face of the brave turned toward her, and saw the eyes glow with real Indian desire and triumph. Suddenly he leaned forward and touched her m: | | ‘‘ Buck Tail had two dogs last night,” he said. Olive did not reply, but gave him a look which said: ‘‘ Well, what of it?’ * Dogs gone now; never run by Buck Tail’s side ag’in. Him never hold ’em down till the prey comes close an’ then let ’em go. Him let em go for the last time last night. Man in white—him face all covered, too much for aogs.” Olive started at the young Indian’s reference to the Brethren. ‘*Buck Tail never git such dogs ag’in,” con- tinued the Idaho. ‘‘ Him must have something their place, so him take gal. What gal say, eh? The look that overspread the young buck’s face could not be mistaken. ‘‘When gal say nothin’ that mean yes!” he cried. ‘Gal not so good as dogs, mebbe, but Buck Tail must be satisfied. Other Injums not like it p’raps, but Buck Tail ready for ’em; see!” and he put his hand on the knife and revolver that peeped above his girdle. What! were the Indians going to fight for her? The Queen of the Red Core shuddered. ‘You shall not fight for me. I will not per mit that,” she Said, at last. The eyes of Buck Tail fairly glittered with delight. ‘*Good! white gal give herself to Buck Tail!” ar be cried. S) — = GOMIGDOO -_ - . 4 2 A < ‘ a . ‘