Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 184 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

- <= = ti oe : > i - > - _ _— 3 $< we -— — — — —_—-- ET ee —— -_> _ ee mew ww ee ee oe - — Se — = ~ - . - - - - a —_ a. a Si ns eee a Se ~ ——_——— oe ee Se + — « —— * “ —_——_- mem em eer eee se we S. mk —— —-<- pill es forth a fiuod of curses and maledictions upon tue abhorred palefaces, Iron werved though they were, our heroes shrunk back from the madwoman, shocked by ruch malevolence in one so old, and one who vas even then tottering on the brink of the Tave. ‘Go, and leave her to me,” hurriedly uttered the Wolf Queen. ‘‘Go, but do not leave the veavern. Await mein the room where we ate supper. Go—the sight of your faces make her a la you see her die in a spasm of ury? In silence the young trappers retreated to the rock chamber from which Dainty Lance had been removed so strangely. The curses and bitter maledictions of ngewock rung in their ears, and fairly chilled the blood in their veins, _“A strange night’s work, mate,” said Dainty Lianees with a faint smile as he crouched over tue glowing embers. “ihe chances were a thousand to one against us, yet here we are, none the worse save for a few scratches that a play? ul kitten might easily make.” **You don’t reckon she'll git over it, do ye?” and Hardy Zeph scratched his head dubiously as he stared into the fire. ‘1 could almost pray not—the venomous old hag!” growled Dainty Lance, viciously poking the glowing coals. ‘* The devil is in her, bigger thana hbay-stack! But you saw bow wonder- fully her strength was restored? She must have as many lives as a wild cat!” Hardy Zeph bove a sigh that seemed to come from the very soles of his feet. Dainty Lance looked at him curiously. The young trapper flushed hotly as he met the gaze, and there was a trace of sheepishness in his voice as he said; *T was jist thinkin’ what a gay old gran’- mother-in-law the p’izen critter would make a feller, Sposin’ sech a hitch-up could be brung about!” Whatever response Dainty Lance might have mide, was checked by the ad sehen wre of the Wolf 9h 2en, still followed by her faithful body- guar. ‘IT wish I conld tell you how sorry I am that all this has Ba prened. she said, her voice low and sad, a wistful light in her dark eyes as they rested upon the face of Dainty Lance. ‘I never dreamed that one of ber bad spells—” ‘* Pray say no more,” a little coldly interposed Lance. ‘‘We do not blame you. You risked your iife to save ours. Only for you, we must both have perished in that foul den.” ‘* Durn the odds!” cried Zeph flinging his cap violently to the floor and stepping forward, a resolute light in his gray eyes. ‘ Lady, you see -allthey is to me, [ hain’t got no book l’arnin’; Vm rough an’ ugly as a mud fence, staked an’ double ridered with tadpoles—but onderneath the outside shuck, I kerry a heart that never yit went back on a pledge. e hain’t knowed each other long, but in that little time we’ve hed a heap o’ fun—we’ve helped each other in a p’izen tight pinch—we know that each hes gota craw chuck full o’ pure soul—an’ J know that I love you barder then a mute kin kick frozen punkins down hili! Mind ye, lady, I don’t ax ve fer a flat-footed answer now. Think it over. ook at it from all p’ints. Weigh the idee keerfully—an’ here’s hopin’ some good angel’ll push down heavy on the side o’ the scales you vhuck me into!” At his first words, Netawaka drew back, cresting her proud head haughtily, but as he continued she noted his deep earnestness, she read the whole truth in his honest eyes, and knew that a diamond, in the rough, but pure and without a flaw, was being humbly placed at her feet. Hardy Zeph turned away as he conciuded, clearly fearing that if he allowed her to reply now his faint hopes of success would certainly be blighted. The Wolf Queen followed him with her eyes fora moment, then once more turned toward Dainty Lance. ‘“‘T thank you for your kind words. I feared you might think I was a party to her attack— that I had lured you hither the more surely to encompass your death. Believe me, I was sin- cere in what I told you. I believed then, and I believe now, that my grandmother is in posses- sion of the knowledge you seek. If so, that knowledge shall be yours—I pledge you my sacred honor!” ‘*“You think, then, that she—your grand- mother—will live!” “JT hope and pray so!” fervently responded --—- ee } Y a The Boy Trailers. very dearly. She was not always as you have seen her—but never mind, you are not inter- ested in what only concerns myself. ‘*Tt may be days before I can gain the know1- edge you seek, or it may only be a few hours} | cannot 4 You can remain here—” Dainty Lance shivered involuntarily. Neta- waka smiled faintly. ‘* You are right. It will be better for you to seek some other hiding-place, but each day at sunset be at the rock ledge where I fought Walking Buzzard and White Wolf. It is there I will seek you when I have learned all. ‘‘Now one word of warning. My tribe is called at peace with your people, but there are ever many young braves who glory in taking white scalps wherever they find them. If you would succeed, you must be cautious. Here is dried meat in plenty. Take what you can carry. Then you will not need to hunt for your food. Lie close under cover. Only ven- ture forth when you visit the rock ledge. It is for your good that I speak.” The young trappers supplied themselves with provisions, then the Wolf Queen led them along the dark and winding passage to the outer air, where she bade them farewell. ‘“‘ Be as easy as you kin on me, lady,” uttered Hardy Zeph, pleadingly, then without awaiting a reply, he darted away through the darkness, closely followed by Dainty Lance, leaving Netawaka to return to the nursing of her insane grandmother. CHAPTER VIL AN UNCOMPROMISING LOVER, THREE cries followed swiftly after that des- pairiny shriek from the lips of the Snow Sprite —shouts of mingled horrorand vengeance. Her falling form—the blood-dripping weapon bran- dished by Dirk Weeninx as he fled at break- neck speed—his yell of demoniac triumph—all urged the three pursuers on to increased speed, for the moment unmindful of their injuries. Racing like scared wolves, the Mountain Vul- tures leaped and dodged among or over the thick-lying bowlders, knowing that orly speed of foot and great endurance could save them from a death-grapple, unless their pursuers should halt and lose time over the fallen maiden. A howl of angry pain burst from the lips of Dirk Weeninx, and one hand swiftly flew to the side of his head, red blood staining his hair hand and trickling down his bony wrist. It seemed to him as though a red-hot iron had been clapped to his ear. The young chief bent his bow almost double and let loose an arrow just before reaching the spot where Sibyl lay, blood staining the bosom of her dress. He saw the Mountain Vulture leap spasmodically, like a young horse under the first touch of a keen spur, as the arrow tore its way through one of the assassin’s out-stand- ing ears; then a huge bowlder shut off his fur- ther view. He cast aside his bow and knelt beside the maiden, whom he believed dead. He could see where the cruel knife had ri ape open her dress across the bosom. The red blood stains were rapidly spreading. Her eyes were closed, her ord white and seemingly already fixed in eath, Hercules passed them by, a deep howl parting his lips as he saw his idolized mistress lying so white and still. Straight on he rushed, resolved to terribly avenge that dastard blow. The hermit paused beside Shooting Star. He too was agitated, but not to such great extent. Deftly he examined the wound, and soon pro- nounced it a merely superficial one. ‘‘ The scoundrel meant thorough work, but he blundered in the execution,” he said coldly, ex- tending his examination. ‘‘ He struck as she wes falling, and his blade did little more than break the skin.” , Such was indeed the fact. Upon the white, delicate skin could be seen the imprint of Dirk’s fist, and this it was that made him believe that he had driven his long blade toits haft in the bosom of the Snow Sprite. Luckily Sibyl bad fallen clear of the bowlders, and, though somewhat bruised, had received no dangerous or very severe injuries. The hermit bound up her wound, then Shoot- ing Star raised the maiden in his strong arms and bore her back to the skin lodge that served as their home. Late that night Hercules returned, sullen and weak from loss of blood. Hehad followed the ——— ee ee = = | ee ee eee The young chief in person led a squad of braves in search of the ruffians, keeping up the quest for several days, but without success. It seemed as though they had vanished into air, leaving no trace by bind them, Thus a week passed by. At the end of that time Sibyl was nearly re- covered from her injuries. So, too, had the wad hermit and Hercules. More than once the maiden caught herself wishing that Dirk Weeninx had been surer when he aimed that blow at her heart. Then her prec on earth would have been ended. ow— She was thinking thus when the mad hermit entered the 1.dge where she was reclining upon a pallet of skins. ‘With his foot he stirred the fire into a bright glow, then sat down beside her. Neither spoke, but, as Sibyl glanced up into his stern face, and saw the fixed lips, the firm-set jaws, the frown that only seemed to deepen the tire in his eyes, a cold thrill crept over her frame, for a subtle instinct told her that this was the crisis. An oppressive silence reigned until it was broken by a light, rapid footstep without. The door-flap was raised, and a figure entered, ar- rayed in gay feathers end bead-work. It was the young chief, Shooting Star, and the maiden’s heart sunk still lower as she noted the care witb which his person had been adorned, She knew then the nature of the blow which threatened her. Mechanically she made a motion to arise, but a A hand clasped her arm, and the hermit spoke: Pe The time for trifling is past, girl. You have turned a deaf ear tomy pleading and reasoning. Now I mean to command, and you must obey.” Sibyl glanced toward the young chief, almost appealingly, but, whatever hope she may have entertained from that quarter died a speedy’ death. “ His eyes sunk before hers, and his bronzed cheek grew a shade darker; but that was all. He seated himself on the side of the fire oppo- site them, filled and lighted his pipe, sending out the scented vapor in quick, deep a And there was a dogged expression upon his features that caused Sibyl to avert her eyes. Clearly {here was nothing to be hoped for from that quarter. . “This night you must plight your troth, and to-morrow you shall be married,” added the old man, coldly. A quick light flashed into the eyes of the Snow Sprite, her pale cheeks flushed, there was an indignant ring in her voice as she made reply: ‘To end as the other solemn pledge did—in murder?” The words were bitter, and that the hermit felt the sting contained therein, was plain from his changing features. But his voice was as cold and even as ever when he spoke: ‘* You have saved me the trouble of broach- ing that subject. There was no murder done, though I am sorry now that my heart failed me in carrying out my first intention. The matter would have been ended forever, then. Now, the young rascal is bent on making trouble—” ‘‘He is alive—Lancelot Daintree?’ faltered Sibyl. ‘* At present, yes; how long he will remain so, depends almost wholly on you.” Sibyl gazed at the hermit in doubting sur- rise, but ere she could shape words to express hier thoughts, the old man resumed: ‘‘T mean what Isay. There is a barrier be- tween you two that can never be overpassed. One word from my lips would prove this, but I cannot speak that word. To do s0 would be my death-warrant—would be fatal to vou and him and many others. The horrible secret has been buried for years—it shall not be unearthed now, When he learns that you are another man’s wife, his pursuit will cease. He will go his own way and leave us to go ours.” “He will never learn that,” said Sibyl, in a low, resolute tone. ‘‘ With your sanction, we pledged our hands and hearts. Heaven helping me, i will never be false to that vow. Rather than wed any but Lancelot Daintree, I will be- come the bride of death.” ‘It will be his death, not yours. Listen. Those two hot-headed boys have come here in quest of you. How they found and followed our trail, I know not. They are here, hiding and prowling around, either knowing or sus- pecting your presence here. At a word from me, a hundred stout braves will take the war- path against them, to capture and kill or tor- *, ture as I command them. If you are obstinate, I swear that word shall be uttered. Lancelot Daintree mav see the rising, but will never wit- Mountain Vultures in his crippled condition un; til the growing darkness enabled them to give him the slip arzong the rocky recesses. the Wolf Queen. “I> may sound strange to you, after what has transpired this night, but I speak only the truth when I say that I love her = ~~ \ ' | ei ate ile a G€oim - - - ’ — . er ET * 2 S.com GEhboo —_