Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 283 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

- -_~— oO ee - — —__ — ~ a —_-__ — -- - - —- eee Breeze, and tke probability is he will roast you. Indian Joe. 13 “So you are one of the kind to lie hid under the Now, you.are too old a man, and too brave a one, to | rocks and listen to a private conversation. I thought be finished in that way. I want two such men as you | better of you than that.’’ and your companion in ge race I give you the opportunity of joining us, hirling Breeze will do anything for me.” * What would I be called on to do?” asked Ben. ‘**A little of every thing—much the same kind of work you have seen us do. It is sateen than two years, if you are sav enough to make you comfortable. save?” ng, you will have What do you a pris'ner ['d bu’st ye right in the snout fer sayin’ thet to me. J a a lot of thieves an’ murderers thet ain't fit to live on the face of the’arth! J make one of sech a gang! Now, look yer; I've bin a man all my life thet tried to live my life out f’ar an’ quar’, I’m a free trapper. I’ve made the broad prairies inv home, an’ no man ever come to me an’ said sech a thing afore. Git out! Idon’t want to look at ye, Ye ain't fit to live.” In less | “Tsay that you ar’ a dirty hound, qn’ ef I wa'n’t | , will, Conrad left him in a rage, and went out to the | other side of the camp. There he saw a sight which nearly drove Wim mad. Dan had béen so wounded as to be unable to walk, and was sitting under a tree: and near him, seated on a great stone, Was Maid Marian. The eyes of Vesey dilated, and shot forth gleams of light. He made a few rapid strides and seized her by the shoulder, “What do you mean, girly Was it not enongh that you followed him up and down with your ac- | cursed warnings and* prophecies of danger, but must yeu play nurse to him in my camp? Away with you!” “Take your hand from my shoulder, Conrad,” she said, calmly, He removed his hand. “Go away at once, Marian; you know not what you do. Lam nearly mad pow with yourconduct. It will take but little to drive me to a deed at which even I shudder.” “I shall not go away. Iwill take care of this prisoner, and see that he comes to no harm. A woman, goaded by a sense of wrong, can do much, Conrad, My itude for your kindness is fast being buried under the indignities you heap upon me.”* - “ Will you come with me? I wish to talk with you,” be said. “Certainly. Any duty you can claim of me which a brother might have, I am ready to grant.” He led her apart from Dan, who had been boiling with indignation during the interview. “ You think me harsh,’’ said Vesey, as they stood alone. “Ido not desigu to be so. You know my nature, dear girl, passing the lové of women; and it is for your good { seek to 5eparate you from this young man. What do you knew of himtf" ‘The new line of tactics rather disconcerted ber. She was compelled to say that she knew nothing of yee a avhat she had seen of him for the last three WREKS. “And is it jast in you, Marian, to throw aside the passion of years for the love of one who may not care for your" “You assume too much, Conrad, when you say I would show love for one who made no return.” Does it not show love to follow him from camp to camp; to warn him of dan at every opportu- nity, to send for a ring from him?" Oh, Conrad!" “Silence. You sent for his ring. You know it.” **T did, Conrad, but * You wear It still,” he persisted. * When I used that fuge to pet something from him fora sake, | believed honestly that I should never see face again. I acknow aoe that I care for him more than any other man, for he has saved my life.” “And did not IY" ‘ *T have tried to repay you for that,’’ she said. .** 1 give you my confidence.’ “Away with it! What dol care for that? I have had enough nonsense. Now listen to me. [ have not waited all these years for you, to be balked at this of the e, nor will lbe. Look to your- self. ne you be, by fair means or foul,” * You a to show your true colors, Courad Vesey. I never be your wife.” ** You shall, by heaven."’ “We shall see, Not while 1 have strength to kill myself, or you. Beware of me, You have trained me up in your way of life, and we shall see whether or no I will do justice to your teachings. “Do you think I fear you, girl? [am determined to make you mine. For the present, I leave you. But it will not be for long.” He walked hastily away. Directly after a man rose from the shelter of the rocks behind which be had been lying and walked toward her. It was the lieutenant of Vesey, Jasper Verton. She heard his step and turned, There was a leer upon his face witch she did not like. ** And how is Maid Marian to-day?” he said. “ We have done our work well here in the Black Hills.” **Too well, Jasper Verton, 1am sorry for it,”’ she said. “Oh, their time had come, You remember the old saw, ‘What will be, will be.” It was their fate to fall ‘as it may be onrs to die here or in another piace. Can you A your company? I have something to say to you.’ ae on “You are short with me. To be plain, I have | overbeard your conversation with my worthy cap- tain. a mm ‘Yon are startled.” me a moment of “No doubt We will not say in what manner I happened to overhear your conversation. It is enough for me that I did overhear it, and now tell you of it. Isee you have no great affection for the captain. I am glad of that, Now, 1 wish to be your friend, Miss Marian.”’ “T am willing to be friendly. But your manner of obtaining information is not creditable, | assure rou.” : ‘Perhaps not. I wanted to say to you that if I can be of service to you, I will be ready. If you ask so much of me as to pub yender ruffian uader the sod, I willdo it.” ‘Who do you mean?” ‘ ‘Vesey, * Willo’ the Wisp,’ Markman, or what you if you want him put out of the way, I am the man to do it,” £ ‘Put out of the way!” she said, bewildered, ‘* What do you mean?’’ ** Put to sleep; sent down below; killed, in point of fact,"’ said he, coolly. * The fellow has gone to the length of his rope. Rather put him out of sight, than leave him here, an eyesore to you,” * Wretch!” she cried, ‘Do you come here with such a cold-blooded proposition as that? For what lo you, take me, rascal¥ Not only do I spurn your infamous proposition, but I think it no tore thay _ Just to denounce you to Conrad.” | | { “You would not do that, surely?’ he muttered, turning pale. “I meant it for your good.” ** How low I must have sunk in the eyes of all, if such a proposition as this can be made to me for my good. The proposition to kilk tbe man who has reared me, when he might have left me to perish. if I had a weapon in my hand, I do not think you would live to insult another by such an offer,”’ we beg your pardon,” he said, humbly. “1 was betrayed to this through too great zeal to do you service. I hope this may not be used to my dis- credit.” “Not if you truly repent.” “I do indeed. was mad, Marian. The ground you tread is sacred to me. you how I love you.” : “Silence! Do not goon. It seems to me that all the men in this: camp are going mad together,’ ‘“* May I not even tell my love?" ** Tt is hopeless.”” The man stood with bent head, so that she could I love you. Let me tell | hot see the savage flash of his eyes. When TI love, it is with a power f me pt Pe sition he rernained for a moment, and then loo up. There was not a trace of passion in his white face. * You will shake | hands with me, I hope.”’ “ That dream is over,’ he said, She did so, glad that he took it so easily, But she ' was mistaken. In that moment she had made an | ' } | | | | ; ; | | | | enemy more flerce than even Conrad Vesey could be, for, though he hated all who loved her, at least, he never hated her. But Verton, who was of a vin- dictive nature, would have been glad to sce her lying dea! at his feet. He went away, and drew Conrad aside with a horvitied face. “Lam afraid to speak it,Courad., But there is something you ought to know.” “ Do not fear. Out with it, man.” “ You will not beangry with mer" he said. “No. Goon.” “A few moments agoI met Marian am the rocks yonder. She was very angry at something; that I could see in her face as I came up. “*Have you a mind to do me a service, Verton?’ she said. “Of course I told her yes. . “<1 will teach Conrad Vesey that I have some wer in this caret eee said. ‘Itold him so be- ore, and he shall know it. Do you care for me ehough to put him under the sod?’ “ Stop!" thundered Vesey. ‘‘ Who said that?" ** Marian Delisle." “You must think mea fool to come to me with a story like that,” \ “ Then go your own way, Conrad Vesey. I thought to st you a service, but it seems you do not care for such,’ “But what is this you impute to Marian Delisle? ft is terrible; I would believe you, for you have always been true to me; but Marian never liked you. a om, Will you swear by the holy saints that this is rue?" Verton readily took the oath. He would have sworn to anything then in his hate of Marian, “And so she is as far gone as that!’ muttered Conrad. “I love her, God knowsghow much. 1 doubt if this fellow whom she loves cares a pih's weight whether she lives or dies. I will punish her. Conrad Vesey will be true to himself. Veyton!" re ay captain?” ** Will you be true to me in this business of mine? I must do something to repay this cruel girl in kind. Will you stand by me?" oe ap “Through blood and fire. She will deny it, of course,” said Verton. . “T shall not accuse her, I think. Let it work itself out. I am not myself to-day. 7 brain is in a whirl. Ithink we will begin upon these two hunt- sie It would be a fine thing to burn them before er.” “It would be better to burn the wounded fellow, Crowley. And ps this Jeff Rooter.”’ “His time will come. The two. hunters are to- gefherss yonder hut, I think?" dt es.” “Ben Miffin refused to join us yesterday. Per- haps he will like it oe in ty ith these words he ed back toward the hut in which Ben was confined. ee (a EE ee CHAPTER X. IN For Tr! ; Ben was half lying on the floor of the rude hut. He was not alone, for beside Jan, who sat near him, there stood the young warrior who had saved his life in yesterday's battle. The young chief was girs f “My father has done wrong,” said the Panther. “Why did he not listen to the voice of the White Spirit and go away?” ’ * We were going pootty soon,” said Ben, “I'm right sorry we waited so long.” ‘The eyes and ears of the Blackfeet are always open. They heard the call of their friends from afar and came. White man, years ago you saved my life. The Panther cannot forget.’ : “ITrememberit. “T'was at the time when Jules Da. mand was here.” e “The Double Tongte. Whirling Breeze is just. He will do what is right, and he will not be too hard upon the man who saved bis son. But he cannot dc a wrong to the great nation.” ‘ / ‘My son speaks well,” said Ben, “I am _a with- ered pine, matters not how soon I fall to the yround an’ am seen no more. When do we leave his place?” i° “ The Blagkfeet go to-morrow, Good-by. Panther will see you again.” The young chief walked away. Ben crawled te the door and looked into the Indian camp. He saw that it was really a hunting party, but the hunters of the Blackfeet are easily turned aside by the chances of plunder, A number of women were in the camp, hurrying here and there, laughing and talking, Jan looked at them in considerable aston- ishment. “I nefer sees sech vomans in all my life,” whis- pered Jan. ‘*‘ Dey make more noish dan a windmill. Off dey vash any of dem mine I would make ‘en» aoe, oop." ge 4 , Kain't stop an Injun woman's tongue to- how,” said Ben. “Now thar was my-wife. I’ve seen women before now thet could dlow, but, whew! Her tongue run like the machinery of a fust-class ingine in a quartz mill. “Twa‘n't very pleasant nuther. I c’u‘dn't stand it, myself.” “T not likes dat kind off yomans,”’ said Jan. “Dey: no goot,”’ “T’ve allus thought,” said Ben, “ thet my wife ‘ud! turn up ag’in some time and go-fer me, I’ve beem afraid of it a long time. I guess I'm pretty safe aarti oo Because they'll probably roast us in the morn- ing. I kin see blood in their eyes, every man of ag ‘ ** Now ton’t, Pen, fon’¢! I cant sthand such dali ‘ . don't be voolin’, Vat you means. py talking dat way all de dimes? Roast a mans) K nefer hears such tings vile ] lifs. So ton't you say’ i katt hel it. I peak he truth anyhio 2 n’ p must s the truth anyhow . I judge thar ain’t any thin’ Blackfeet Ike so well as. a roasted Dutchman. They don't go igh on @ tough old trapper like me, but roast Dutchman {s the'r best holt, ** Now, look here, Pen Miffin; I wont sthand any such nonsense, [I'm ash goot ash anypotty, and T von't be dalked mit dat vays rotty. Dey vefer roasts anypotty. Dat ish al dak * ean *Hev yer own way; er own way. It don't make no difference. Ye'll hake . og atte a fry. An" talkin’ of thet, Tsh'u'd think they'd be a-pickii” rP Faptrood round here som/er's to build the fires. I judge it's the’r best holt tg hev it ready an’ not. * Vell, off I vash vot tied mit my bants unt feet 1. vould smash you right square mit der mout’, Dat. ish Mo l vould io. *t, hsbc “No ye wouldn , said Ben, **No ve woulaale It’s lucky fer ye Let I'm tied, or I would mash ye. Yes I would. Yes indeedy. Take care wast 38 say.” Nothing could quell the pugnacious spirit of the trapper. His eyes roa over the faces of the Indians as if desirous of finding one to whom a. fight would be a -_ No doubt he could be accommodated in short‘order if but no The two men rrel. waste time.” time ineads Ag to get up the were hurried into a lodge and left tied. Half an hour the lodge-curtain was lifted and Con rad V appeared. He had thrown away his ca and wore instead a feather head-dress, after the manner of a Blackfoot chief. Ben sat upon “the “ound with his back against cree Se le, lookin: efiance at the intruder. He fo his. arms ari looked down on the two prisoners with an Pen- sion of malignant pleasure. Neither of the prison- ers : woke = word. wata'hs' = -day, my ve friends,” * Now see yer," said n.. **We don’t wart any thin’ to say to you. Conrad Vesey. You ter go. You date not come to say what you did this mornin’. My hands ar’ tied now, but ez sure ez ye thet on, jest so sure I take ye by the throat an’ choke the life out of ye, when I git loose.” “Scoundrel. Do you threaten me? You do not know ny power here.” ‘ , * Yes I do. Ye kin have me roasted at the stake ef ye like. I know that right well. But what does it matter? A man can only die once,” “I came to say to you that it, is best for you to fi sere ae renner pip vias bat hy oh the Panther. e wo Pp you if he could, bu wer is on] limited after aul. You must burn.” 4 ** Let it come,” said Ben, stoutly. ‘I have looked — ony ae right And to-day hall look ou . you s it for the last time. Maid Marian shall stand by and see you die.” | ! 100 COME