Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 283 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

te ee erm em ree nee “You scoundrel! ns —— You have lived the life of a wolt, and like a wolf you willdie, I do not fear you. tf I must die, there ain't a man in the Black more ready. Ez fer you, I’ve got a word to say," “ You are doin’ this fer the love of a woman. Yer afoot, That ain’t the way to win a girl like Marian. Let her come; let her see my d and she will go away hating you like death. I t she begins to hate you now.”’ : “Silence !"’ shouted Vesey, “ or I will cut you down ¥ ‘ere you stand.” “| won't be silent,” said Ben, Vesey drew a knife and rushed atthe speaker. At this moment the Panther darted in and struck him a own with a hatchet. “Dog!” he shouted. ‘“ A Blackfoot woman would not strike a prisoner unless at the torture. What do you here?” ; ‘““Good blow!" said Ben. “Hit him ag’in. Now | | ' le band somehow. Ive got the chaince I mean to give him a piece of | my mind, He's a low-lived sneaking p e ain't | ot noheart. A rattlesnake hez more,* Ill go my hottom dollar he kin squirm like a snake.”’ Conrad sprung up. There was a red mark on his head from which the blood was trickling slowly to the und. He took out a piece of cloth from his pocket and bound it about the wound. The Blood soon changed the color of the cloth completely. He wiped it from time to time with his flagers and they became stained by the flowing tide. A more hor- rible picture is seldom seen. He stole out of the lige like a bloody specter, leaving the Panther alone with the prisoners. “ Be of good heart,"* he said. ‘‘My father loves ne and do much for me. 1 will save you if I CAD, With these words he left the but and for a few momentsnot a sound was heard. en ; Think of the stake an’ the fire, the arrers an’ Duileta, an tee ee eee = Indian J oe. take this blushin' female to yer buzzum —an’ ef ye don't wish ye’d got a red-hot stove instid, I lose my guess—oh, git out! Don’t thavk me, . It’s all right. Take her, my boy, an’ take my blessin’ with her."’ “Tnefer dakes no sooch voomans, I dinks I'd oost as li’ve tie ash do dat. No, dake her ewe at! Didn't I tell Katrine Schooner ash I would ee ven I domes pack from der vest" on t don't make any difference. Marry Katrine when ye go back. Mebbe the Green Snake will let ye go. Mebbe she won't. I judge it’s more the last than the fust.”’ “What I doy" said Green Snake. ‘* Mus’ hab hus- If one, all right. If other, jess as good. All same." This accommodating proposition did not find favor in the eyes of Jan, who shrank from her ap- proaches, ** It’s to Save yer life,”’ said Ben. “T don't cares aottings ‘bout it. save life. I von'’t haf her,” shouted Jan. “Ye hear him, Green Snake. Then go.an’ claim me. Is’ pose L’ve got todo it.” The woman darted away, and shortly after they heard her assailing Whirling Breeze with all sorts of clamorous demands for the surrender of her hus- band. It may as well be known that the Green Snake was a sort of elephant in the Blackfoot vil- lage. They had taken her and did not know what to do with her. None of the braves wanted her for a wife on account of her bitter tongue, which no personal danger could deter her from using freely on all occasions. The arguménts she advanced were conclusive to the Indian mind, Ben was her husband. There was no one to keep the lodge-fire ' bright. Let him go free and there would be another Shortly after they | were taken from the hut and again tied to trees. | Ben was glancing quickly from-side to side, when he heard a shrill cry and felt a pair of bony hands seize him. He.turned with an exclamation of sur- prise which changed to horror as he saw who it was. Amiddle-aged Indian woman, with a hooked nose, keen black eyes, and a shrill voice, was the person who had claimed his attention. It was noother than his much-feared and lIong- | neglected Indian spouse, the Green Snake! w emitted one long, shrill whistle of astonish- rent as he recognized her and struggled to free his arms from her grasp. But she had lost her white chief too long to yield him lightly. “Gone long time, Strong Buffalo! Come back now. Glad to see you. Heart very sad dis long tune. Weep rivers of water,"’ ‘* Durn my buttons ef it ain't the Green Snake!” cried poor Ben. “Git out. Whatd'ye hang to me fur? i guess I’ve been away from ye long enough fur ye to git another husband, ain't 1?" ‘No husband come," replied the Green Snake. “'Praid to take away squaw of Strong Buffalo. He great chief. Love his squaw. Com» back, find ‘nother brave got her, kill ‘nother brave. "Nother brave no want. Git plenty wifehe own. Let Green ’ “Snake be."’ “I wish the Lord they hedn'’t been so durned squeamish abont it,” said Ben. “Come, Don't be so blamed affectionate. Lain’t used to it.. Git out. Wimmen don't hang on to warriors at the stake.” “No burn. Green Snake go to Whirli Breeze. Be husband's life. Never let-him go till he say he no burn, “Don’t do it,” said Ben, ‘“ By jinks, I’d jest ez live burn ez not. “Tain’t much when you get used wo it. Durnit, no, It's fun;ecrackfun. A little fire an’ a good deal of water go agreat wa 3." “No burn, tell you,” persisted Green Snake. “Save pe self. Go now to Whirling Breeze.” Ben hesitated. Death itself was preferable to again suffering the Green Snake to get him in her «lutches, but might he not make use of her in getting _blow the Panther had | was allowed to sleep for the Ben was standing by himself, and Green Snake at | him not,” said the Panther, Longe in the village, hirling Breeze took her by the band and led her to the tree to which the prisoners were bound, back to back. . “Wife?” said Whirling Breeze in a questioning tone, pointing at the Green Snake. Ben hesitated a moment, fearing to commit himself, and finally said **yves in a very doubtful tone of voice. ** Husband?” said the chief, pointing to Ben. ** Yes,” said the Green Snake, promptly. Whirling Breeze cut the cords which bound him to the tree and thus addressed him: ‘“ You are now a Blackfoot. While you remain with us and do not attempt to escape, it is well. When you try to es- cape you are again a white man and, we will kill ou,” + What ar’ ye goin' to do with my friend?’ said en, “ Big man, eh?” “ Yes,”’ ‘** Let him be Blackfoot too, if he will. Itis better than killing. My son loves the Strong Buffalo well and he hates Conrad. Let Strong Buffalo beware of m. **T'll do thet,” said Ben. ‘Let my friend go."’ The chief cut the cords which bound the Dutch- man, and he was at liberty. Conrad saw the action with anger but just then it was not his cue to inter- fere. e had not even attempted to avenge the dealt him. That revenge resent. _a little distance, endeavored to attract his attention. He d no attention to the telegraphic signs she | own.” free? He thought it over and told her to go away | for the present and come to him in a half-hour. Green Snake came promptly at the time. “ flow kem ye hyar?”’ demanded. Ben. “* When I left the Crows ye were thar, all right.” party. Whirling “We went out on a hunting Breeze killed all the braves and. took us prisoners. Il am a Blackfoot now. I hate thé Crows, I love the Blackfeet. But husband no come till now.” “Tm in a pooty fix,’’ mutteréd Ben, fairly sweat- ing with agony. “Ef she gits me, I’m a ruined man forever. I must git cl’ar of hersomehow. An’ at the same time— Green Snake?” “Yes, Strong Buffalo. My ears are open.” ‘* An’ yer mouth too, most of the time,” grumbled Ben. “Anyhow, come hyar. I want Ss to go to ne reeze an’ claim me, Don’t let up on 1 Wa Green Snake started to go. ‘*Holt on,”.said Ben. ‘“ Wait a jiff. Let me run the matter over. I want to think ef I’ve don’t perpose to stay hyar with her, ef I kin git away. But I'm afraid *m a goner. ic) to eit burnt. I believe I'll resk it.” “ Dink off me, Pen,” said Jan. “Holt on!” said Ben. “I've got it. Say, Green Snake. Ye never relished me much anyway. What would yet of thet thar chap fer a husband?” “ Big A oa “ sald Green 8 nodding approv- ly. ' ng, Mebber ye'd jest ez li’ve change. Take Jan an’ Jet them do what they durn with me.” _ “Dat ain’t fair!” shouted Jan, in mortal terror. a, rater Goce dps.s0-tong sab Ilife. T not likes In- jun voomans. e her yourself." * Don't be so bashful, Jan. Don't allow yer feelin’ agin robbin’ a friend of a good thing to influence : ot any | chaince to git away after l’'ve done the deed, [ | 'Tisn’t much | | for me! used, and shé came near and shouted in hisear, He qupped as if stung by a snake. *Oh, I forgot. wiht the devil do you want?” *“Ah-ha! Runaway,’ she screamed. ‘I was the daughter of a Crow chief.’ Warriors fought for my hand. And I, who might have been the squaw of Big Head, chief of a Crow village, became your uaw. You are a coward.” . ‘Oh, shet up,” said Ben. “ Ain’t it enuff that I allow ye ar’ my wife, but ye must holler it to every one in camp? Git out!” **Oh, snake in the grass!’ yelled the trate female. * Dog ofl pale-face, The medicine man put cramps in your bones. You will cry like a little child. Bah! I spit at you.” ’ “Don't go on so, Snakey. *Tain’t no use, I tell ye,” said Ben. ‘ “And where is t.ere’a wretched woman who has a husband who does not love her? Leave me, before I tear the éyes out from your head, and throw them to the dogs.” “T know'd it,” said Ben. “I know’d I couldn’t stand this yer. I orter be burnt twice over, fer givin’ up a good thing when Ihadit. Burnin’ would only last a little wile, an’ ye kain't bet a cent on this. What ef I should hev to stay with hera month! Td be a dead man long afore thet time. Anyway, thar’s achaince, They'll let me go out on a buffler hunt mebbe, and thar’s the chaince of gittin’ stamped to death. That’sa good way. I'll try thet, ef she gits too hard on me.” “Ah, wretched one that I am!” said the Green Snake. “Oh, sad being! The husband in whose lodge I must sit and make the fire bright, cares not He hears my cries, he sees my tears, and he laughs! He is cruel as death! He hates me!” Then changing ber tone suddenly: ‘1 will tear out the eyes of the man who has insulted the daughter of a Crow chief. Let me chow you that I have the heart of a brave in my bosom.” And if Ben had not departed in hot haste, there is reason to believe she would havé been as good as her word. As it was. she attacked poor Jan, who could not get out of her way, and pulled out a double handful of hair. *Ah-ha! wretch! companion of the miserable man who does not love bis wife!" 7 | | | | | ' bulls mine hair. I don't vant to | cried out, ' — “Git ous!’ shouted Jan. “ Vat ter tuyvel ye Sat mean’ I am not your huspants. Dat ish him vat ish running yonter. So help me ash I vould not marry you off you vas wort’ a hundred million tollars in money.”’ She made another dash at his bair, and Jan fled incontinently, folowing his companion. Two or three young Indian women, who saw the fracas, laughed heartily and showed their white teeth. Jan overtook Ben near the center of the camp, out cf breath, “I'd yoost ash soon fight arother ecrizzly bear ash to marry dat vooman,”’ said he. “* Have I got any hair mit de pack off mine heat?” ** Never mind, Janu; bear it to-day, and to-morrow may see ws somewhar else. I've got an idee. They'll watch us pooty clust, but not so clust as ef we war reg’lar pris’ners, If we gil to the hills, I'll save Dan Crowley, or die a-tryin’.” *T does anyt ing to get avay vrom de vomans vat Ach! tev tnyvel dake der Oreen Snake!" The night came on. Dan Crowley lay wounded in the other hut. He had cunningly misrepresented the extent of his hurt, and was really in good con- dition, and on the alert for anything te turnup. In the middle of the night, he was startled by feeling a cold hand pecseec upon his mouth. He would have ut that a voice whispered in his ear the word * Ben,” He understood it then; it was the old ide, ‘Come!’ he whispered. Dan rose and fol- owed him without a word. They passed stealthily through the recumbent groups of robbers, picking their way carefully without a sound. Ben took the lead, Jan came next, and Dan brought up the rear, Ben knew the ground well, but that did dot pre-- vent meeting a guard. A Jeveled rifle menaced them, and a voice criecd.out to halt, There was no time to dally, and Ben knocked the rufflan down without scruple. Then, taking the hand of Dan in his, he hurried on until they were fairly on the mountain side. “Take your ease now," said Ben. fools enough to foller us bvar.”’. ‘““What do you propose to do? I must ask the question, for I will never leave this region until I have seen Marian again.” “Trust me,’ said Ben. “ Ef TL ain’t mistaken, to- morrer night the Prairie Rangers will be swept from the airth. Foller me."’ CHAPTER XI. A THUNDERBOLT AND A CALM. A TERRIBLE confusion reigned in the camp of \the robbers. The man who had been knocked down staggered to his feet, yelling like a maniac. The whole ‘band, Indian and white, mingled, and crie:| out in rage. ‘lhe Indians were especially angry ; but, what words can paint the ire of the Grecn Snake, when she found that her permowons husbani had again given her the slip? nrad sought oul Whirling Breeze, with eyes full of rage. ‘Chief, see the end of the foolishness which in- duced you to trust that old fox, Ben n. You asked not even a promise from that he would not attempt to escape; and you see the result.” ‘“My brother does not like what I have done,” said the Whirling Breeze. ‘** How ean he better it! His own prisoner is gone.” | “ Let*Will-o’-the-Wisp speak to a man who tears ‘Ir our prisoners have Let him look to hiv “You crow well, young chicken,” said Conrad looking at the ycung ebief with a moody brow, “' Ii Ido not cut your comb within a week, say that my knife is dull. I do not forget a blow.” ‘*We will stay here no longer than the morning,’ said Whirling Breeze. ‘*‘My brother is angry ai those who are lords of the prairie. If he wants the help of the Blackfeet, let him come to them.” At early morning the chief gathered his band, took his share of the spoils, and rode away. Con rad was not illypleased-to see him go. had a plan in his head which the chief might have inter- ered with. The moment he was gone, he called to one of his desperadoes, a small, old man, evi- dently a Spaniard. 4 ** Gaspard,” he said, ‘‘ take my horse and ride f: r your lite. Find the priest, Father Sala—you know where he is likely to be at this time. Bid }.i: mount, and come to me without a moment's dela . Take a led horse with you, in case he should » ' have one; choose the best. Away! and see L!.: you are back by four o’clock,”' The man knew his master too well to hesita!:. In five minutes he was epesning out of the ps: , leading a horse by the bridle. The leader smilc:, and turned toward the door of the little marque which was always carried with the band for the us of Maid Marian. She stood in the doorway. Hv laid his hand lightly on her arm, and led her iuo the marquee. ‘*So your lover is gone,” he said, ‘* It seems that he cared little for you, since he deserted you,”’ ‘* Better I never looked upon his face again, than that he should remain in your a5 she said. “You are bold,’’ he replied. “Then you do not deny that you love the fellow.” ‘No; why should I deny it, even to you? He is at least a gentleman.”’ ‘‘It seems hard to me that Marian Delisle should sink so low ab to love unasked,” he sneered. ‘He never told you that he loved you.” “That is false.” ** When?” ** While I tended him, wounded.” ‘*Ha! events march . then. I see that 1 must be hasty to secure my bride. Marian Delisle, you are fallen low, even in my esteem, 4 wil! marry you, not because [love you asl did, but in “They ain't escaped, is it anything to him? (E(@) Eomicbooks