Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 283 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

*¥ 8 his hand in alighting. ‘‘ Do not think so: I am earnest in my desire to be of service to you.” “T donot doubt it,” he said, bringing her near the fire. ‘‘ Jeff, take care of the lady s horse, if you please, Give me that buffalo-skin, Nat; now Indian Joe. in hel “Then it is Jan Schneider, the Dutch friend of Ben Miffin. They are both tricky customers, but the Dutchman is the worst. And if you would believe me, when he came out on the lains he was as perfect a specimen of the native Se Oe et te —— — — ~- ee ae ee — — ea > — - — —-_ breast of his coat and drew forth a silver bugle, which he made a movement to raise to his lips. At the sight of the bugle, Maid Marian sprun from the saddle and seized him by the arm. He | shook her off. my saddle. There; that is ascomfortable a seat | Dutchman as you would wish to see.” “Do notsound, Conrad. I pray’you by every as I can give you.” “We thought him so now,” said Dan. ‘‘Con- | thing holy and pure which you once knew, by “ Thanks again, you are only too kind to one | found him, I should like to trounce him. What | your patron saint, by the holy cross, by the who could aid you, but dare not. Do not put | could have been his object?” name of your mother, do not sound.” yourself to so great trouble on my account; I do not deserve it. ‘Allow me to be judge of that,” said Dan. “You are welcome to our camp, and we will do all we can to make your stay here a comfortable one. Our accommddations are not good, but such as they are, they are at your service.” You are very kind, sir—too kind indeed. It makes me feel the obligation all the more. Will you add to it by asking one of your men to look “Pure deviltry, and nothing else. People used to practice on him when he came out first, and he likes to return the compliment.” ‘*Haw, haw!” roared Jeff. me the Dutchman fooled us all? Bully for him. He ain’t no slouch or he wouldn’t be with Ben Miffin, lallow, You ain’t told us your name, | mister.” ““My name? Call me what you will, Any. name will do,” replied the other. ‘You don’t tell | o fea will, It is better to make an end of this | at once. Ihave borne enough, and more than | enough already, No man shall come and play Fernando to your Miranda, while I have the un- | pleasant role of Caliban. Let me alone, I will | sound the call.” | ** You shall not.” | ‘“Then beg my pardon for the insult you have | offered me but now.” ‘*T was wrong, Conrad. I acknowledge it. at the horse? 1 am afraid he is badly hurt.” ‘Not prezactly so, mister. Dan Crowley hez | See. Ihave dismounted. If you are ready, so ‘* Let me do it,” said Jeff, starting up, hastily. | been mighty free with our names. Stands to | amI. You may put me into the saddle.” **PTm an out an’ outer with a hoss; an’ if any | reason you orter return the compliment. Let’s | He passed his arm about her waist, raised her . thing kin be done for the animile, I’m the boy hear.” | from the ground, and placed her lightly in the to do it, you bet. I wish’t Ben was hyar; he’s ‘** ’'m called Conrad Vesey.” | saddle, with a glance of triumph at Dan. Then the boss feller to take keer of a hoss.” | ‘‘ Never mind what ye’r’ called. What's yer the party rode away together, without a word “I know him well; and unworthy as I am, name?” _ of farewell on ber part. the old man idolized me,” said the girl, softly. | ‘‘I have given it,” |. ‘*The durned hound,” growled Jeff. “I'd **Do you know that Trapper Ben is my type of “All right. Glad to see like to put a bullet right through bis p’izon kar- an honest man? He is brave to a fault, gener- ous to a fallen foe, and faithful toa triend, even to the death.” ‘ ‘You speak well of him.” “Who speaks ill? All the world does not con- tain a nobler beart. rude of speech, but he has a heart which would do credit to aprince, I am sorry he is. coming here.” ** You are a riddle I cannot read,”. said Man, quickly. ‘“‘ Your vague warnings, while they may make us uneasy, can not drive us away. I[ am having rare sport here. Buffalo, deer and bear are the captives of my bow and spear. The men have a good supply of peltries, and when we kill a carcajou [shall be ready to return.” “IT hope you may kill one speedily, then,” said the girl. ‘‘Do you not hear horses’ feet?” ** Yes; they come this way.” As he spoke, the coming horsemen rounded the point of rocks and appeared in the valley. They were three in number and were well armed and appointed. The horses they rode were of the mustang breed, strong-limbed and fleet-footed. Two.of the new-comers were or- dinary-looking fellows enough, dressed in bunter’s garb. Wat the man who rode in front Was a remarkable person to meet in the back- woods. His frame was robust, and evidently hardened byfatigue and hardships. His face, which was almost fiuitless in its contour -was browned by exposure to the sun and wind of manv climates, He wore no beard, but silky Frasasliee of the deepest black hung as low as the base of the neck, giving bim a brigandish air. His dress was of dark green cloth, care- fully fitted to his person. A belt of black leather was strapped about his waist, and held Rough, to be sure, and | : ye. Them men of yours out thar—who be they?” ‘Never mind that. They are trappers in my employ. -Do you often exercise your question- ing hae in that manner, Mr, Rooter?’ 1 *T should not think it would pay you. I have seen a great deal of life, and [I never knew a man to get very rich or very great by asking questions. Ineverdid, upon my word. For my part, I never answer any more than J think ab- solutely necessary for my own comfort and well- being.” ‘ ** Close, ain’t ye?” said Jeff, “ Rather,” replied Conrad, ‘‘ Now, Marian, if you are quite rested, I think we had bettér go.” “Thad accepted the invitation of these gen- tlemen to take some food.” ‘* Do you need it?” ‘Certainly Ido. J have been riding all day.” ‘You ride'too much for your own good, Maid Marian,” said Conrad, with a strange, dark smile, which Dan did not like, “I think we must limit you somewhat.” ‘“*T will go now, fi or said the girl, quick- ly ‘Gentlemen, I thank you for what you have done. Is my horse fit to go, Mr. Rooter?” ‘*Course he is. He aint hurt a bit: He gota gravel stone in bis foot, I took it out, an’ he’s all right. " He kin go.” “Thank you, Mr. Rooter.” Dan advanced to assist her into the saddle. But Conrad leaped to the ground and thrust himself between them in a manper almost amounting to rudeness. ‘** Excuse me,” be said. ‘No man touches her hand bit 1. Allow me to aid you, Marian,” ‘You presume almost too much upon my ood-nature, Conrad Vesey. Mr. Crowley, may kidge. Whar did he come from?” ‘* How can I tell?’ said Dan. ‘‘ What power | bas he over that sweet girl?” “It beats me. He’s a’tarnal critter. He orter be skulped,” said Jim. ‘*Yer mighty right,” said a voice close at hand. “Yaw!” cried another. CHAPTER VII. EN PERIL, THEY turned at the sound, and saw Ben Mif- fin standing near, with a smile upon his face, and, close beside him, the man they bad known as Yost Hoppen. ‘You are here, Ben. I am glad you have come. As for the person with you, I shall need some explanation of his conduct before I will consent to receive him among us,” said Daniel. ‘“*Very goot,” said the German. “ Vat you say mit me?’ ‘*Did you give me your right name when we had you in camp.” ‘“« Nein,” replied the other, with a broad grin. ‘Mv name ish Jan Schneider.” ‘Very well. What was your motive in try- ing to deceive us in that manner?” **'Yoost vor vun,” said Jan. “ Pendells me to co und git into t'e camp unt vind ous who you vas. I coomes auver ber, unt town py ter rifer 1 makes pelieve I valls asleep. I nefer pees | asleep at all; I vas in fun.” | You did not dec: ive us entirely; I suspected | that you knew more than you showed upon | the surface, and so did Jeff. You had no sin- “ Now | ister motive, then?’ **T does vat Pen dells me,” said Jan. peen mit ‘Pen more ash fiviff 1 dells you, I a beautiful pair of revolvers of the most ap- | Task your aid in mounting?” ‘year. He goo mans, he help me goot many roved make. His keen, dark eyes surveyed | Dan again came forward, and helped her to | dimes ven I peen in trouble. He save me veu he group at th> fire for a moment, and then, | the saddle. | der Injun come, he save me vrom der vasser, ng to his c.mpanions to halt, he ‘rode for- ward aloue, ‘“Good-day to all here, gentlemen. Ah, my dear Marian, [ am glad to find you safe. three Indians followed you. Were you pursued?” “Yes. These gentlemen drove back the sav- ‘Did you not meet them in the pass?” Doubtless they heard us coming and con- a cealed themselves. My thanks are due thse gen- | tlemen for our rescue. Perhaps they will fa- vor me wit their nates.” Sone | one saw P go up the pass, and directly after | The ofber .man stood by, looking savagely at the young gentleman. His color , came and went in fitful flashes, and his eyes | looked like turning coals, She saw his anger and looked at bim with a glance as bigh as his own. ‘“You know that I will make this a bitter thing to you, wy dear girl,” he said, laughing in a short, fierce way. ‘I know that you have the power, Conrad | Vesey. I know my power too.” | ‘*None so well as you. | a your power to mold me for good or evil better Ab, no one knows | | he save me vrom der volfs, he bulls me ous | vrom der mut ven Shules Tamant leaves me | dere; unt ven he says, ‘Do dis,’ I does it, yoos , ash he says.” ‘*That’s the way of it,” said Ben. ‘‘ Don’t you bother Jan. He’s a good feller, an’ will stand by yoe ez long ez Ido. Iset him on you myself, an’ he did jest ez IL told bim. EfI quit ve, so will he. I’ve tried to make the durned Dutchman understand thet I ain’t wuth a cent, but he won’t believe it; be’s so set in his way, the contrary cuss. Don’t say no more about it, _ ‘Lam called Daniel Crowley,” said Dan, act- | than vourself. Beware of the course you | When you talk of me, you must count in Jan ing as spokesman, “The others are tra pers | take.” | along with me, for I kan’t git rid of him, an’ I and guides. This is Jef? Rooter, this Rat A ams, ** Are you ready, sir?” she said. | don’t know ez [ want to.” this Indian Joe, and this Jim Arnold. Two of | “If younare.” *— | **Dat ish drue, vat he says,” said Jan. ‘‘I our party areabsent. Ben Miffin and a German, | “Then mount and I will follow. I have a | nefer leaves him vile I lifs; he too goot to me.” ‘Yost Hoppen by name. : | few words to say to these gentlemen, and beg | “Let thet go. Ye’ve hed visitors, I allow,” ** Yost Hoppen?’ you to ride on, I will not detain you five | continued Ben. - 28,” | minutes,” ‘* Yes; did you see them?’ ** A new-comer in these hills,” said the visitor. ** At least, I never saw him.” **He has but lately arrived here,” said Dan. **He left us somewhat abruptly.” “What sort of a fellow was he?” Dan described the German. As he did so they saw that he wore his hair in short The eyes of the | _man brightened and he took off his cap and ran bis fingers through his hair with a smile. * | will not do it.” ** You heard the lady request you to ride on,” said Crowley. laying bis hand tpon the arm of tbe other. * Do as she bids you.” ** And who gave you the power to command me?” said Conrad, throwing off his hand. ‘‘ By pthe life of my body, you are bold. Men have _ died before now, for half that you have done to me.” ‘‘ Bet yer life did; I was hid in the bushes, an’ seen the hull affair; an’ ez true ez you live an’ breathe, I thort ye’d git yer gruel when yo put the gal on the hol. Ye don’t know thet p’izon sarpept ez well ez I do.” ‘To whom do you refer? The man called Conrad Vesey?” \ ** You bet; though he ain’t to thet name than many ano no more claim ; he goss by a curls, : | “T tell you to go and let the lady speak,” said | dozen; the Blackfeet» call him the vecophae _ I know who this is,” said he, ‘‘Confound | Dan, whose blood was thoroughly up. Eagle; he calls hisself Conrad Vesey; his true is impudence, Do you know who I think it is?! * And if I do not go?” name is Will Markman, an’ a more p’izon snake He left about the same time with Ben Miffin, ‘* 1 will compel you to do it.” ain’t to be found on the pry I know him. did he not?” Conrad, never removing his eye from the | Some call him Will ’a the Wisp.” . ‘* Soon after.” face of the speaker, thrust his hand into the 4 ‘* Who and whai is he?” ; —— JOO © Ss) (ECOAMICE (Glo) ;' we? 3.