Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 197 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

——— smile, and yet was strikingly handsome, as far as regularity of features went, and his hair was long and curling, and the ends of his black silken mustache rested upon his shoulders. The days he generally passed in the saddle, going no one knew where; but his evenings he spent in the saloon of the Riders’ Rest, where he had a room, and nightly he added to his winnings, for be was a skillful gambler. In answer to his remark about the Pony Ex- press Rider, Trumps responded: “You ought ter know, Kid Glove, who ther devil fancies, fer you is said ter be kin ter him.” The dark eyes of Gambler Grey flashed for an instant in anger, but checking a quick reply, he said: ‘*If yeu and I should ever quarrel, Trumps, you would think me Satan himself.” ‘“*Ob! I knows yer has grit, fer I has seen yer tried; but I doesn’t fear yer, Gambler Grey, an’ we will hev mor’n a quarrel ef yer don’t quit throwin’ slurs at thet Pony Rider, when he hain’t round ter hit back, as be would do if you insulted him.” “1 did not insult Wild Rider, Trumps. I know that he is, although a boy in years, the inferior of few men as regards strength, en- durance and pluck; but I think there is some- thing wrong about him.” ‘‘What does yer mean by wrong, pard?”’ asked Bony Bob. “Qh! it matters not what I mean; I have my opinion about him, and [1] keep it until the right time to make it known,” ** Ef it’s a bad opinyun, yer’d better keep it dark, pard Grey, or yer’ll git inter trouble, fer Lloves thet boy; he’s grit to ther back-bone, an’ it were I who gave him ther name o’ Little Grit, arter ther three duels he fought up at Sweetwater with ther galoots thet picked him up fer a baby ’cause no ha’r don’t grow on his face. “T heard of that one he fought with a knife and killed him; the second he shot, and the third he thrashed in a fair fist fight,” said Gambler Grey. ° “‘Fact! I seen ther reckits, an’ it were done prime; but I hears a iattle o’ hoofs without, an’ it’s ther Wild Rider hisse’f.” Out of the saloon then Trumps the miner led the way, followed by all the others, and from the lips of the crowd brceke a shout, as the black steed of the Wild Rider was recogniz.d, coming up to the station at a full run, But the next moment up he dashed to the door, and an exclamation of amazement was heard, as, instead of the Wild Rider, they saw upon the Firefly’s back the slender form ofa young girl, whose beautiful face was turned upon them with a look of surprise, if not of alarm. ‘*Satan has metamorphosed the boy intoa beautiful girl,” said Gambler Grey, as he forced his way to the side of the horse, just as Judge Hunter, the proprietor of Riders’ Rest, cried in astonishment: ‘Well, miss, has Wild Rider given up the Express to you?” “For the run into this station, yes, sir: he rescued me from two men who had captured me, and being bard pressed by the Boy Bandit and his band, he sent me on alone on bis horse, while he sought refuge in the Red Ravine,” was the maiden’s reply, in a distinct tone that veached every ear. “‘T hope no harm has befallen the boy; but it’s just like him to be doing some brave action, and he cares little for the consequences.” ‘IT do hope, sir, that he bas escaped; but I heard pistol-shots as I rode on, and—” *“Pards, does yer heur? Ther Wild Rider are in trouble, an’ I wants men ter go with me ter help him out,” cried Trumps, interrupt- ing the maiden, and his words were answered with a shout from the crowd, while Gambler Grey asked quickly. ~ ** But who comes here?’ All eyes turned in the direction in which he looked, and nearly every hand dropped on a revolver butt, fora party of horsemen were Little Grit, the Wild Rider. seen coming toward the station at a rapid pace, “Hold, gentlemen! it is my father, Colonel Hewlett, ’who has been searching for me; I passed him several miles back, but this horse would not stop, and they followed me here,” said the maiden quickly. “It’s just like Firefly, miss; the Wild Rider told bim to bring you on to the station, and he has done it: but dismount, miss,and come into my hotel and rest.” The kind-hearted proprietor of the Riders’ Rest lifted the maiden from the saddle and led her into the house, just as Colonel Hadley Hewlett and his followers dashed up, the officer in evident alarm. ‘‘My daughter! have you seen her?’ he cried, eagerly, as he threw himself from the saddle. ‘Yes, sir, she is here,” answered Gambler Grey, and he led the officer into the tavern, and with a cry of joy the maiden threw herself into her father’s arms, ‘““My child, what has bappened to you?’ cried Colonel Hewlett, anxiously. ‘‘Two of the train men were traitors, fa- ther, and they led me away, with the excuse that you were on ahead and wished me to join you there, when their intention was to make you pay a large sum for my recovery.” ‘The scoundrels! they shall suffer for this!” “One of them is dead, sir, for 1 escaped from them, and was only saved from recapture by a young man they call Wild Rider, a Pony Express Rider. ‘‘ He killed Red Fred, and made Hank Haw- kins a prisoner, but released him and came on with me until we were chased by the Boy Bandit and his men, and he left me to come on alone. on his horse, while he jumped off at a ravine.” “ And there you left him, Helen?” ‘‘ Yes, sir; he sent his horse on, and I could not stop him.” “ Ah, now I understand why you did not stop for me; I hope no harm has befallen the brave lad.” As Colonel Hewlett spoke a loud shout was heard wi:hout, and then followed the clatter of hoofs, and a cry from Trumps: ‘* Hooray ! hooray! ther boy are coming !”’ CHAPTER VI. THE DEATH TRAIL. HARDLY had the cheering ceased, when the door of the hotel sitting-room opened, and in stepped Little Grit, the Wild Rider, his face calm, and no trace of exaitement in his man- ner, though it was evident that he had just passed through some scene of thrilling dan- ger. ‘* Ah, my boy, I am delighted to see you, for I had my fears about your safety as this young lady told me where she left you,” and Judge Hunter stepped forward and warmly grasped the hand of the youth, who answered quietly, and modestly: ‘‘Tt was a dangerous situation, judge; but I managed to rid the border of an outlaw, get his horse, and prevent the others following me by dropping the animals they rode, thougk I think it would have been better to have shot the riders.” ‘«Then it was you, sir, that I saw dash out from the shadow of the tree after the firing?” said the maiden, in surprise. ‘*'Yes, miss, and when your friends, as I be- lieved them, put the Boy Bandit to dlight, I followed him, hoping*to get a close look at him; but I dashed suddenly into the midst of his band, encamped over arise in the prairie, and I tell you it was a hard run to get away; but here I am, you see.” “And I am glad to thank you, sir, for all you have-done for me; this is my father, and he will prove his appreciation of your service to his daughter.” ** Boy, who are you ?” The question came as a demand, and in tones of excitement, from the lips of Colonel Hew- lett, as he turned bis eyes full upon the youth, rede OmicbOO, — who colored at the peremptory almost rude ad- dress, and answered: ‘“T am called Little Grit along the Over- land, sir.” ‘‘But you have another name?’ was the stern rejoinder. ‘* Yes, 1 am also known at the stations as the Wild Rider.” ‘“‘And he deserves the title, colonel, for he is the best horseman on the trail, and can get more out of an animal than any one else on the border,” said Judge Hunter with enthu- siasm. ‘‘ Nonsense! I am not speaking of his prowess or ability, but his name, and again I ask you, boy, what it is?” said the colonel pettishly. Evidently nettled by the officer’s manner the youth replied: ‘‘T have given you two, sir, and you add that of Boy, and I think the three should an- swer you.” ‘Ha! that is your answer is it? But I will more, boy, the name you refuse to tell me, even if you are ashamed of it.” ‘Father! you forget what I owe this young man; what matters,it to you what may be his name?’ said Helen Hewlett hotly, while the judge put in: ‘“‘Qut here, colonel, hardly any man goes by his own name, and Ido not see why Little Grit should tell you what his is, if he prefers not to.” ‘* He doubtless hides it from the cause that other men conceal their identity under false names; but I know his face, and have met it under no very pleasant circumstances, I'll war- rant, and for that reason wish to know whe he is, but it is a matter of indifference I as- sure you; come, Helen, we will return to camp.” ‘My horse you know, father, is lost, and—* ‘‘Take the horse you rode here—” “Father, that one belonged to this young gentleman, and I have already received more kindness at his hands than I can repay, and which you do not seem to appreciate.” ‘‘Pardon me, miss, but your horse galloped into the station just ahead of me, and she will readily last you to your camp; I will bring her to the door for you,” and Little Grit left the room, while Colonel Hewlett, with a clouded face turned to Judge Hunter and said: “Can you tell me, sir, the name of that youth?’ “Tf I could, sir, seeing that he does not wish you to know it, I would not; but the truth is, no one here knows it and he is entered on the Pony Express books simply as the Boy Rider. You think you bave met him before?” ‘‘T am convinced 6f it; how long has he been on the Overland route?’ ‘‘ About a year, I believe; he was riding when I came here six months age, and is known as the most daring rider on the road, while he has rendered valuable service on many occasions, and is the particular dread of the Boy Bandit and his band.” ‘* Yes, I have heard of that curse of the bor- der, too; in fact, I met bim six months ago when I came West on special duty, for he robbed the stage-coach iu which I was a pas- senger, and to be frank, I really thought that boy, Little Grit as you call him, was one and the same.” “That is Hnpossible, Colonel Hewlett. Lit- tle Grit is a most honorable youth, and the Boy Bandit’s implacable foe. I am sorry to have you hold such a suspicion against my young friend,” said the judge, warmly. ‘‘ Well, it was only a suspicion; but I intend now to have command of this border, and Boy Bandits, desperadoes and all will have to look out, for I shall put down all outlawry, I assure you,” and ere more was said Little Grit entered the room and stated that Helen Hewlett’s horse had been caught and awaited her. In spite of the maiden’s low request to her father, to thank the youth for what he had done for ber, the colonel did not do so, but KS: GO