Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 295 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

= — . -- _~- - -* “-* - —_—— a ee ne ee eee * T don’t know,” answered Phil; but he glanced over his sboulder at Mabel, ‘‘Have you asked him about it?’ inquired John Hackett. ‘‘ Yes, sir; but he shut me up at once, and would give me no sort of satisfaction,” ‘‘Well, Phil, I see him coming, and I will speak to him ahout it, as 1 have a right to.” In fact the guide was then plainly in sight, ee leisurely toward the train, which he soon joined, Sam Spurl was a tall and brawny man of middle age, weather-beaten and bronzed to an extreme, and his long black hair and half-civ- ilized garb gave him te appearance of an I[n- dian. Ata little distance he migkt easily have been mistaken for a ‘* hostile.” Seeing John Hackett and Phil conversing in advance of the train, he rode up to them. ‘* Where have you been, Sam?” demanded the leader, “« Jest a-scoutin’ around a bit. This yere’s a resky reach o’ kentry, and it stands me in hand to be kinder keerful.” ‘‘The trail was safe enough. Why did you take us off the trail and bring us so far to the north?” Sam Spurl darted a malevolent glance at Phil Henning. ‘So that young scalawag ther has been buz- vin’ in your ear,” said he. ‘‘He tackled me on the same p’int a while ago, and I gi’n bim to on- derstand that Sam Spurl knows his biz too well to fool with any meddlesome young upstart. And I reckon I ort to know it, as I’ve been on the plains and in the mountings sence J was o boy, and ken tell the whole reach like a book, from the Yallarstone to Pueblo,” ‘‘ Never mind the boy, Sam. It is a fair ques- tion that I asked you, and I have a right to an explanation,” ‘** And it’s secha simple thing, boss, that I’m e’ena’most ashamed to explain it, This is a migbty dry season, and water is powerful sca’ce on the reg’lar trail, and water’s a thing wo’re bound to have. Thar’s water,” he added, point- ing at the cottonwoods that showed the course of the stream. ‘' I allowed it would be a good thing to strike that river and foller it up a while, to make a sure thing on the water.” ‘ What is the name of that river, Sam?” asked John Hackett. ‘‘ Mike Garry’s Branch is the name I know it by. I wonder, now, ef young Knoow-it-all thar is satisfied.” ‘I think we would have found water enough on the trail,” briefly replied Poil ‘You do, do you? al, now, as you're so smart and 50 aah s’posin’ you just turn in and be the guide fur this yere outfit. Dm reer to resign in yer favor, I reckon you wouldn’t be afeard to do it, as folks you Fearless Phil.” ' Phil Henning hesitated, with his head down, should not accept as if doubting whether this offer. ‘‘There is one thing Iam afraid of,” be said, as he looked up. ‘I amafraid to risk any other lives than my own.” “Then you had better leave the business to them ag onderstands it. I reckon you are satisfied, boss,” added the guide, turning to the er. ‘‘ I don’t know but I am,” replied John Hack- ett, though the troubled leok in his face did not oo ages Lge wards. m puri suddenly turned upon Phil Hen- ning with a burst of ny | ’ ‘You p’ison young scamp!” he exclaimed. ‘« You've done nothin’ but make misch.ef sence fl Genterk I'm @& great mind to break your ead, Phil turned so as'to face the infuriated guide, and smiled a most aggravating smile, ‘*T will do it, too, by ——!” shouted Spurl, as rd spurred his horse forward, and raised his big st. But Phil was too quick for bim, and the lev- ~ pasrel of a revolver almost touched his reast, ) ‘‘ If you are tired of life, pitch in!” quietly re- marked the lad. ‘Quit that, both of you!” commanded John Hackett. “I'll have no fig in this train, and no uarreling either. Make no. mistake about that! Phil put up. his pistol, and Sam Spurl turned away muttering to himeelf. e guide a pernyopeoved sinceri by bringing tbe train to a halt aha once “f tha cottonwoods, and. the tired cattle, turned loose, gladly waded into the shallow stream. -— per course.” 1s ae Pete ger's pay, and it is to he en Fearless Phil. -_- CHAPTER IU, “GET OUT OF THIS!” HARDLY had the train gone into camp when two horsemen were discovered in the distance coming from the south. Jobn Hackett first discovered them, and pointed them out to the guide, who looked at epee anxiously, a heavy frown on his dark ace. “Only two,” be muttered. ‘“‘ What can that mean?” “Thar’s two men comin’,” he said aloud, ‘and they’re likely to be Injuns.” ‘‘Two white men and a dog,” said Phil Hen- ning, whose young eyes were noted for their strength and reach of vision. Sam Spurl turned angrily upon the lad, and looked as if he would be glad to choke bim; but he suprressed his passion with an effort, and repli: ‘quite Galunys "> 4 young feiier’s eyes may be better’n miu “le said, *‘ but ef those men are white I am ken to bet that they ain’t a good sort, and we bad better warn ’em off.” ‘*T don’t see what call we have to be afraid of two men,” remarked John Hackett. ‘‘Thar’s no tellin’, boss. They may have pardners layin’ about, ready to jump on us ar- ter those two sneak into thecamp. This is a resky kentry, and decent white men are e’ena’- most as sca’ce as good Injuns!” | ‘It is easy to make sure,” said Phil. “I will ride out and see who and what they are.” He had not, unsaddled his horse, and was in- stantly mounted. ‘* Hold on thar!” ordered Sam Spurl, ‘‘ Thar’s no good in that. It takes an old head to jedge those scamps.” ‘Let the boy go if he wants to risk it,” said John Hackett. It was clear that he did vot fully trust the guide, who cast an angry glance at him, and then looked gloomily aftor Phil. Tho lad had started off without waiting for permission, and in the course of half an bour be rought to the camp David Darke and Bert Otis, with whom he was chatting familiarly. It needed but a glance to assure John Hackett that they were no prairie robbers or hard cases of any kind, and he welcomed them cordially. @ are wanderers,” said Darke, *‘ and see- ing your train we thought we might find some compiny to cheer us up.” “Glad to see you, young gentlemen. Light down, and you will welcome to the best we've got.” They dismounted, and gave their horses to Phil siete who, as he gathered the bridles, whispered a few words to 5 obn Hackett. The leader stepped aside a little way, and was followed by Bert Otis. ‘*T am sorry to tell you,” said the young man, “ that you are in great danger. We have come to warn and to help you.” ‘What's the matter?” _, “Do you know a certain Pete Bolger, other- wise known as Arkansaw Pete?” ‘*Can’t say that Ido.” “ But he knows you, or knows of you, and he knows of that young lady yonder,” Honest John Hackett’s face blanched. It struck him for the first time that there was a motive for villainy which he had not dy deol A There was a sort of choking in his t t as he requested the young man tw go on and tell what he knew. “That same Pete Bolger,” said Otis, ‘* wants to get possession of the young lady I speak of— for what reason I don’t know—and be’s hired a rascal to enlist some other rascals for the pur- of striking this train and carrying her off. am the rascal he employed, and my friend onder is the rest of the rascals. The gentleman rom Arkansaw happened to get hold of the wrong man—that’s all.” John Hackett’s clinched hands and com- pressed lips showed how strongly he was excited by this plain statement. ; “TI don’t know why any man should wish harm to that innocent child,” said he, ‘‘and no man shall ever barm her while I am able to lift a finger. My young friend, your face and your voice tell me to tru t you, and I am in- clined to believe what you say; but—” “But Ihave not told you all, Mr. Hackett. ‘Your guide, Sam Spurl, is in the pigs, He is in lger’s p the scheme that be has your train far out of the pro- ly light flamed in John Hackett’s eyes. I see it now!” he exclaimed, ‘Stranger as you are, I believe you. What had 1 better do?” ‘* T will settle the matter if you will allow me . ne nn nn een eed oe Ee ee eee © 3 ee eee ee ee o-- - -_——- to,” replied Bert, ‘‘ Tbe first thing is to get rid of your treacherous guide, and I will undertake that task.” “Allright. Iam with you.” Bert Otis started for the spot where Sam Spurl was standing, closely followed by ackett. . David Darke in the mean time had sought our the guide, and had endeavored to engage bim in conversation, but with poor success. Spurl eyed him suspiciously, and gave bim short anil wy answers, hen Bert Otis approached, with Job» Hackett just behind bim, the guide looked at them closely and anxiously, He evidently be- lieved that there was sometbing unusual in the air, and wondered what it was. The two other trainmen were occupied with their duties, and Mabel was partly concealed behind one of the wagons, curiously inspecting the strangers. Bert Otis advanced toward Spurl with a smile on bis face, and Darke stepped asice a few paces. « Good-avening, Mr. Spurl,” said Bert, ‘1 am glad to see you.” ‘Don't say,” was the growling reply. “Yes, Mr. Spurl, I bave beard of you, and I say again that lam glad to meet you. But I suppose that we are not the men you had ex- pected to see.” ‘* What man had I expected to see?” “Why, Arkansaw Pete and bis pards.” The guide start«d back as if he had beenshot, and a fearful storm of catbs burst from bis lips, “What do Pian mean by that?’ he sbouted, “What have I got to do with Arkansaw Pete?’ * Don’t fly into a passion, Mr. Spurl,” replied Bert, smiling yet more pleasantly. ‘‘The erti- est way is the best, I assure you. Your lite game bas been found out, and is ina fair way to be shut down on. Your friend, Mr. Bolger, talks a little too freely to strangers. What you bave to do now is, to get on your borse and get out of this right away.” | Another stream of oaths poured from the lips of the guide, and his hand drcpped to his pistol. ‘* Don’t draw that, you scoundrel!” shouted a voice that bad the tone of command, Spurl looked around, and saw that be was covered by David Darke s rifle, and Bert Otis’s revolver was bearing on bim thé next instant. Phil Henning was also there, and ready for ac- on, The other two trainmen had bast ‘to the scene cf action, and hesitated, as if rtain which side they ought to t: ke. ‘‘ There is nothing here to wo ou, boys,” said John Hackett. ‘‘ Saddle Sam rl’s horse, and bring him here.” Perceiving that he was cornered, the guide changed bis tone. ‘I'd like to know what this means, boss,” said he. ‘* Because two strangers—and y knows who they are—come here with a pack of lies, do you want to turn me adrift?” “Tt means, Sam Spurl,” replied sy “that I could easily kill any man who woul lot against my sister’s child, and I can bardly feep rom shooting you down as you stand!” “ But these men are strangers, and they don’t fetch no proofs, I am a known map, and I came to you with a good character.” ‘You bave lost it, then. You sbould never nies brought my train up bere, if you meant airly. ‘*-You are wasting time in words, Mr. Spurl,” raid Bert Otis, “There is nothing for you to do but to get out of this.” The guide’s horse had been brought to him, and be mounted it. | “It is a bard thing,” said he, “to drive a man off jest as night is comin’ on.” “Tt is too peed fer you,” replied Bert, * and you bad better be thankful that you can get off so easv. You know the way well enough, and vou will i straight to your friend, Arkansaw Pete. Tell him that the next time he wants to bire a rascal, he should be careful not to strike the wrong man!” The discarded wang turned in bis saddle and glared at them all, | ‘“Guss you for a set of fools and sneaks!” he exclaimed. ‘Ef you badn’t stole the drop on me, you wouldn’t be standin’ thar. You shall suffer for this, as sure as my name is Sam Spurl! You sball pay for it, every motber’s son of you —yes, and every mother’s Badentey, too!” he last words excited John Hackett to frenzy, He raised his rifle, and would have shot down the speaker if he had not been restrained by: Bert Otis. ' Sam Spurl rode away rapidly in the twilight, his course pointing due south west, com / books.com