Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 188 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

Wed Temple, the Border Boy. 3 —— ew oC oo -- - - nee | 8. + ee ee , ne | The rest? What did he mean? Ned’s meutal question was speedily answered. A hundred mad yells hal replied to the death-cry of the second Indian, and a legion of cavalry seemed to be coming pell-mell up the Fetterman road, Indians! and ‘‘ hostiles” at that. The boy leaped back to where Cyrille was and caught up a repeating rifle. Cyrille snatched a revolver from his belt, and, cocking it, stationed herself proudly at his side. CHAPTER II. SAM WILDCAT'S PRIZE, SOREENED by the little shelter lately erected, the young couple waited for the Indians. *‘f fear that escape is impossible,” said Ned to Cyrille, ‘‘If we are discovered, shall we surren ier or fight? What do you say?” ‘‘ Let us await developments.” ‘Very well.” The boy turned from the girl and with ready rifle crept around the rude shanty, and disap- peared. Cyrille heard the sounds of hoofs that each moment grew more distinct, and all at once the Indian band drew rein on the very spot where Sam Wildcat had unseated his first oux. She might have counted them as every figure was plainly seen in the brilliant moonlight; but at that moment the numbering of her deadly foes was far from her mind. ‘“Wiat do I see and whose voice do I hear?” she exclaimed suddenly, shrinking back, ‘‘ It must be so! The Indians have overtaken the soldiers, and uncle Thornton has fallen into their merciless hands. Ned?’ ‘*] am here.” yaaa looked around; the boy was at her side. ‘*What do you think of him now? Yonder he is, handin glove with Red Cloud.” ‘* Not willingly, Ned,” was Cyrille’s reply. “The troops have been overtaken between here and Fort Fetterman, and he is among the few sparerl. ‘You would not think so if you had heard what [have. Are his hands tied like a cap- tive’s? He sits hip to hip with Red Cloud himself. There! they are going on now. We shall escape!” The column was moving on, and the hind- most riders were about to disappear, when a yell of discovery rent the air. “Tiey’ve found Wildcat’s victim,” whis- pered Ned, ‘‘I hope they will not hunt for the other one.” a Temple left Cyrille again and crept for- ward. Red Cloud and his warriors had discovered the dead body of the second Sioux. The sight had mad:Jened the savages, and their yells and threats of vengeance against the slayer made a perfec’ bedlam. “Trail him down!” cried Red Cioud. ‘ He is not so swift that he is across the great river already, nor can he cl ave the clouds like the eagle. Back tothe trail! Red Cloud will not sleep until the skin of the slayer feeds the fires of the stake.” His commands were received with great de- light, and a general dismounting took place. “They will not leave a foot of ground un- searched,” said Ned, darting back to Cyrille’s side. ‘Quick! the high grass of the river is our only hope.” Seizing the girl’s hand, he dashed away in the shadows of the blackened beams of Fort Reno. Fortune seemed to favor them, for, unseen and unfollowed as they fondly thought, they reach- ed the river bank, where, side by side, with wildly throbbing hearts, they crouched in the luxuriant grass that grew there. A short distance away, as certain sounds told them, the Indians were hunting for Sam Wild- eat’s trail. The dead body by the shelter had just been found, and the discovery bad in- creased the red skins’ rage. Once or twice a dark figure approached the river, but speedily vanished again. Suddenly, a shout that announced an impor- tant discovery fell upon the ears of the fugi- bives, Ned sprung erect. They have found our horses,” he said. ‘ They will know that they were not riddon by their Own people, and now the hunt for us will begin. Oh, Thornton Hardinge! I wish I held your life af my carbine’s muzzle!” ** You’ll never find it thar ef you expose yer ecreass in thet manner,” said a voice at his elbow, and Ned turned as Cyrille sprung to his SiO | 5 “ } \ ; ee A A LAA A AAT de Standing near by, with his tall figure tower- ing above the river grass, stood the man they supposed far away—Sam Wildcat. A stride brought the Indian-killer face to face with the youthful pair, but Cyrille tried to keep her features from his searching gaze. ‘A gal an’ a boy, by hokey !” exclaimed Sam, ‘* Whaton airth ar’ you doin’ byar? Did the soldiers leave you behind when they sneaked out o’ Injundom with their tails be- tween their legs like whipped dogs?” ‘“We came here after the fort had been abandoned.” . ‘From whar?” ‘Brom Fort Buford.” ** Alone?” ‘*No, sir; we had several Crow guides who had promised to stay with us until we reached Reno; but twenty miles up the river they sud- denly deserted us, and we made the rest of the journey alone.”’ ‘* What’s your handle, boy?’ quizzed Sam. ** Ned Temple.” ** An’ the gal’s?” Ned hesitated he was afraid that the mention of bis fair companion’s name would recall to the Sioux Inller the incident which Cyrille had lately mentioned—his repulse by boiling water. ‘* Mebbe she hasn’t any name,” said the rough fellow, seizing Cyrille’s arm. ‘‘ Come out inter the moonshine. I want to get a squint at yer. By hokey! she’s as purty as a picter, a reg’lar daisy, the beauty ov the blossom ov the profile ov the mountain. lve steered ag’in’ her some- whar; haven’t I, gal?’ ry Yes, sir,” said Cyrille, certain that expo- sure would come, and resolved to anticipate ib. ‘We met onceat Fort McPherson, Surely you have not forgotten the captain’s child.” “What! the gal what guv Sam Wildcat a b’ilin’ water cathartic?’ cried the Indian-slayer. ‘‘Wal, I should reckon you ain’t forgotten. Didn’t I say that I would get even with you one ov these days fur thet smart trick? An’ bevn’t I got you now, my rose-blossom ?” The eyes of the rough seemed to emit fiery sparks of triumph. ‘‘T am here,” suddenly cried Ned, laying his hands on Wildeat’s arm. ‘* You must not harm Cyrille. We are helpless—that is, we have been crually abandoned in Sioux land, and I have sworn to protect Cyrille from every dan- ger. You must offer her no indignity [ say.” Sam Wildcat was inclined to laugh contemp- tously. He despised the boy who had spoken, ‘* You her pertector?’ he retorted. ‘* Why, I could crush you with my little finger. You don’t know me. I’m Sam Wildcat! The man what has been left in this kentry fur seed. I’m the walkin’ death ov these parts. Ef you think I’m givin’ you a game ov wind, go an’ ask Red Cloud over yonder how much he’d give fur my eg You’ve heer’d ov death on his pale hoss? Wal, he’s resigned the persition to Sam Wild- eat. So you’re the pertector ov this rosebud, eh? By hokey! it beats the funny stories in last vear’s almanac. Come hyar, my holly- hock!” Cyrille resisted with an appealing look at Ned, and quick as thought the click of the car- bine’s lock was heard. ‘Insult Cyrille if you dare, brute!” said Ned. ‘* Release her this instant, or I'l] send a bullet through your brain. You could save us from those Indians over yonder. Does not a helpless girl appeal to your better nature?” ‘*Shs does, by hokey!” exclaimed Sam, who did not shrinkin the least from the muzzle of the carbine, nor release Cyrille. ‘‘A helpless wo- man kin always draw on Sam Wildcat fur help, an’ he will take pleasure in honorin’ the draft. But this gal—this pink ov Sioux land! By hokey! I must kiss her once.” ‘Spare me!” cried Cyrille. ‘You should be guiding us to safety, not—” “Wnhand her! If you do not, I will carry out my threat,” and as Ned gare he seized Cy- rille and wrenched her from Wildcat’s grasp. ‘* Now, sir,” he continued, placing himself be- tween her and the tormentor, ‘‘if you will not help us, you will leave us to help ourselves,” For a moment Sam Wildcat stood bewildered before the daring boy, then he took a stride for- ward, and before Ned could prepare for his ac- ee found his carbine wrenched from bis rand, ‘*T’m a hull den ov wildcats when you stir me up,” he cried. ‘I’m worse nor an Injun nation on wheels. Yes, I’m willin’ to get the rosebud outen this diffikilty, but you'll pardon me, I hope, if I leave von behind!” ‘*No! ro! if you can’t save Ned, too, I will stay here!” Cyrille exelaimed. ‘‘We have promised faithfully to stay together.” —— ee he “You needn’t break the promise, fur i'l] take all responsibility onto myself,and fracture the agreement.” The next moment Ned found himsel! in the Indian slayer’s grasp. He exerted his utmost strength to get loose, but a minute told Lim tha& he struggled in vain; he was as a toy in the gripe of the Mad Hunter of Powder River, ‘Yes, Dll bu’st the agreement, mv cande- lion!” bissed Wildcat, turning toward tle river with his prize. ‘I'll save the gal an’ cotte squar’ thing by her; but I don’t wait you around the premises. Ned felt himself lifted above the hin ter’s head, and then while Cyrille, paralyzed with terror, as it were, stood not fer away, he went whirling through the air toward the moonlit waters of Powder. ‘* Now, my rosebud,” boarsely cried Wildcat, whirling upon Cyrille, as Ned struck the water, ‘‘ we've just finished the preface ov oneov Sam Wildcat’s books. Now let’s begin the first chap ‘ter. Come!’ ‘‘Not with you,” Cyrille said, retreating. ‘“‘ Better the clutches of Red Cloud.” The man leaped after her, and the next mo- ment a piercing cry for help rung from her throat. A wild oath shot from Wildcat’s lips ac he seized her, and started on a run toward his horse, that had been near all the time. “‘ Now, Lightnin’, carry us outen this pickle an’ Vit pension you fer life,” he said to the animal that darted away like an arrow shot frown a Sioux strong bow. Cyrille’s cry had been heard. A responsive cry or a series of yells came over the bluff, be- yond which Red Cloud and his warriors were still searching for the slayer’s trail. ‘You stirred up the hornets, gal, an’ we’re im fer it now,” said Sam addressing Cyrille. Then he struck his horse savagely with the spurs, and as the race for life began, Cyrille me her eyes only to see Ned struggling for ey- istence in the treacherous current of Powder river. CHAPTER III. FOLLOWING TO KILL As rapidly as possible the late garri. | Fort Reno was pushing on to Fort Feti«: : The distance was not great; but the way © us full of dangers for the officers feared that Lod Cloud and his hordes would attack from soto ambush, and make the march to Fetterman & march of death. The little band of regulars consisted of part of a regiment of cavalry, some detachments of in- fantry, anda train of artillery. At night the camp was formed in regular military order, the soldiers sleeping on their arms, ready at a mo- ment’s notice to repel the assaults of the foe, On the night that witnessed Ned and Cyrille’s adventures at Fort Reno a group of excited officers stood in the light of one of the camp- fires. The faces of all told that something in- explicable had transpired. Yolonel Armstrong, the commander of the troops, a brusque, heavily-whiskered man, and an old plainsman, had just turned ae ee So a sun-browned sergeant who evidently st im the witness-box. ; ‘Well, sir, when did you last see Captaim Hardinge?”’ asked the colonel tartly. “ About four o’clock last night.” “ Goodloe saw bim an hour later, We don’t want your testimony.” The sergeant was about to retire when an officer of the cave lry, a young man, touched Colonel Armstrong’s arm. ‘*T would like to ask the man one question,” he said quietly. ‘‘T see no use in doing so. We bave Good- loe’s evidence. But,” reluctantly, ‘“‘you cam put your question if you wish.” The young cavalryman bit his lip, but turned upon the witness. As he did so, he whispered hurriedly to a major at his side: “Watch Ben Simon as [ put the questions. He is standing on your left.” Then to the sergeant: ‘*'You say that you saw Hardinge last at four o'clock last night. Now, sir, what was he doing?” t The witness hesitated and glanced over bis right shoulder as if he wanted he!p from some- body not far off. Ten feet away, and in the light of the camp-fire, stood one of the scouts of, the expedition, a tel!, dark-skinned, wiry man, whose garments were not; more than half civi- liad, Hiseyes were as piercing as the eagle’s and his dark hair touched a pair of broad shoukiern ~ stesyel — ewe ee —_ ---e- —- —$_ =- , ra i “books: com