Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 330 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

10 A heart-rending scream pierced theair. A woman in tattered dress, and with hair dis- heveled, rushed into the camp, tottered, and fell at Little Quick-Shot’s feet. They raised her, saw the blood gushing from a rsa ed wound in her breast—-saw that she was dead—saw that it was Lenore! Then, as if to mock their borrified anguish, came to them, borne on the chill night air, a pie omer laugh—a laugh demoniac! ‘“‘My God! that was the general!” Major Greer gasped. ‘‘He has murdered his own child!” CHAPTER X. QUICK-SHOT’S RIGHT PARD. PEN could but illy picture the emotion of Don Waverly, as he knelt beside bis murdered bride, and gazed into the beautiful face, already setting in the rigid whiteness of death. He spoke not, nor did a sob escape him, or a tear dim his eye, but his breast heaved heavily, and there came over his face an expression of one whose emotion could not find vent in tears —an awful look, embodying the bitterest inten- sity of two passions—anguish and anger. ‘ Are sure it was the general’s voice?” —e a calmness that caused the mujor to shud- er. “It sounded wonderfully like his!” Greer re- plied. ‘*Then, attend to her, till Il make sure. She is dea —I shall go crazy if I stay here!” and before the major could check him, the Scarlet Scout bad leaped off into the darkness. The scream bad attracted general attention, ‘and it was but a few minutes ere the whole camp knew of Lenore’s sad fate. She wns tenderly raised, aod borne into the parior of the Cinnamon Bear; where left in charge of Grit, and a couple of miners’ wives, who volunteered to remain with the dead. Altbough fat and fifty, Major Greer was by no means inactive in a time of peril, and be- lieving he would see no more of Little Quick- Shot, for the night, he strengthened the guards, and sent out a couple of spies, to reconnoiter in the immediate vicinity of the camp. Their reports, however, were that they saw nothing to indicate trouble, In half an hour Quick-Shot returned, His face still wore that awful expression, and every one shuddered when they saw hiseyes. They were those of a madman, rather than of a sane person; they burned like coals of fire, in their stern, e ng glance. Oa being told where Lenore had been laid, he entered the parlor, and asked to be left alone with tbe beautiful dead for an hour. When be once more appeared upon the street, there was no noticeable change in his appear- ance, except that if anything his face had wn sterner. | ‘“ What did you learn?’ the major demanded, anxiously. “Enough!” was the answer, ‘‘I arrived at Villa Voselle about two minutes before the general. It was he who laughed. His fate is sealed. Henceforth my life shall know no rest, my mind no peace, until I bave avenged Le- nore. Get your force in readiness, for 1 antici- pate an attack, about midnight.” He went, then, and threw himself upon the nd by one of the camp-fires, and gaged in fire, as if oblivious of all else than that which he searched for in its depths. Yet that he wason the alert no one had a doubt ; many believed be had become partly insane over bis sudden and terrible loss. Sufficiently sane was he, however, to catch the utterance of bis name, and he g Ab. nim- biy to his feet as hesawa pretty Indian girl standing near him, in company with the ** She insisted on seeing you, saying that she had news!” the major explained. ‘Do you know her?” ‘*T have seen her. She belongs toa band of renegade whose chief is called Flat Nose |” He then turned to the girl, who was regard- ing bim wistfully. What does Silver Dove want in the camp of the face?’ he demanded, rather sternly. “Silver Dove bas news for the Scarlet Scout,” was the answer, in the Sioux tongue. ‘Is the Scarlet Scout angry because Silver Dove brings him news?” “No. Speak out what you have to say1” ‘It is not news Silver Dove brings. Flat Nose and his warriors are in the neighbor- hood, and have allied themselves to another band of pale-faces, who will attack this camp. 24 rz — opis Je ' SSS ' -_ _C—73C eee ha ° . *. e? — “Se a, 7. E 7 : wo e. Ar og ao aaa . F “/-? ew . . «ho * « : Ay , uf x © dd p, | 7 : oy if es ob at. bad rs a. “e. ‘ ~~ Little Quick-Shot. ‘ -——_ ee Silver Dove comes to warn the Scarlet Scout to fly to a place of safety.” * The Silver Dove does not know the Scarlet Scout. He never takesa back trail, nor retreats before the advance of an enemy.” ‘* Scarlet Scout is a great brave, but he knows not of the odds against him. Flat Nose, alone, has a hundred warriors, and has sworn to have the scalp of the Scarlet Scout.” ‘*Bah! be hasn’t got it yet. Wait!” Quick-Shot then called the majcr aside, and related what he bad just learned. ‘‘ It looks devilish bad,” the major muttered. ‘* They've got over two to our one, [ reckon, and we'll have to do some big fightin’ to lick ‘em, 'specially as they're part Injuns.” ‘I think wecan fetch ’em. [ shall take the Silver Dove a captive and secrete her where a hundred years’ searcb might not findher. I will then go and make terms with Flat Nose.” ‘‘Are you not afraid to enter the enemy’s ad ‘* No: I fear not the whole gang, so far as my own safety is concerned, hey sball under- stand that harm to me, means death to the Bil- ver Dove!” He then turned to the Indian girl, his band grasping a revolver. am emer me ee ee -- -* ~——-—- ‘* The Scarlet Scout is grateful to the Silver | Dove, for ber warning, but he must use strategy, to baffle the enemy. Silver Dove is Scarlet Scout’s prisoner, until Flat Nose leaves the enemy, and comes over to our side. Come! you must go with me!” ‘* Silver Dove is not afraid to follow where the Scarlet Scout leads. Her heart is already with bim, and she fears not to become his cap- tive,” the girl fe bumbly. “Tt is well, Come!” He procured his rifle, and led the way out of the camp, into the pass, Within an bour he was back again, but the Indian girl was not with him, ‘‘ Any news?’ he asked, meeting the major on the street. ‘* None, except that camp-fires bave been built, at the villa, and the movements of the men seem to indicate that preparations are be- ing made for an attack,” ‘* Well, look out for yourselves, as best you can, until 1 return. I may return immediate- ly, but cannot say for a certainty. Ifan attack is made, I will not be far away.” Just as he was about tostart for Villa Voselle, he met Grit Gleason. She was dressed in boy’s clothing, wore a jaunty sombrero, and was well armed with revolvers, knife and rifle. ‘* Where are you going?’ Little Quick-Sbot de- manded, in surprise. ‘* With you!” she replied, confidently. ‘* With me?” ‘‘ You tet! You are going into danger, and I am going to share it wi b you. Until Lenore’s death is avenged, consider me your pard, through thick and thin!” ‘* You surprise me, Miss Gleason, You arein no wise fitted to rough about as [ do.: I beg of ou to consider, You are foolishly risking your ife—and, what for?’ ‘‘If Il risk my life, I may be able to save vours—for Lenore’s sake,” she replied. ‘*Go ahead. Lam going with you.” | 1ick-Shot hesitated a moment, and then led the way from the camp in silence. The yirl’s strange resolve was a puzzler to bim, yet be began to see into her motive, and it caused him the keenest pain to make the dis- covery. She had, in that very act, betrayed her love for him! They were not long in reaching the immediate vicinity of the Gleason residence. The house was not Jit up, but camp-fires burned bere and there, about the lawn, and cowboys, armed to the teeth, were gathered around them. Outside of the grounds, on the rear of the mansion, was ano' her encampment, and it was here the Indians and half breeds of Flat Ncse’s gang were located, Ascertaining this, Quick-Shot crept cautious- IY that way, Grit following close at bis heels, bey soon gained a position where they could overlook the whole red-skin camp. There were tbree fires, and about these were collected a hundred cr more wild, villainous-looking red- skins and balf-breeds, the majority of whom wore war-paint, and were attired in filthy and ragged citizen’s garb, and hats of all conceiv- able shapes and styles, They were well armed, however, and looked precisely what they were, a band of hardened cut-tbroats, Pacing to and fro about the camp, was a stalwart savage, whom Little Quick Shot re- :4 a et SS . In the air, and send your men mm ee ee es ee eee ee -™”™ i ---—— —_ eee _—_ cognized as Flat Nose, the chief of the maraud- ing gang. He was a majestic-looking Indian, and the only one of bis party who was attired in bis native costume. ‘*T hardly know just how to get speech with him, without venturing into the camp!” Little Quick-Shot said, ‘‘and I have a wish to retain my scalp for awhile longer, at least, If good fortune would only send him this way, I should be greatly obliged, indeed.” But, good fortune did not seem to have ber machine in motion, just then, for Flat Nose made no move te accommodate the scout-de- tective, by presenting bimself for an interview. ‘‘T have an idea!” Grit said, after they had watched the camp-fires for awhile. ‘*Sup I go into camp, claim to be the general's daughb- ter, and tell Flat Nose that the general wants to see him, here, alone.” ‘* You’d not catch tbe old red rascal on such baitas that. Your proposal, however, suggests a plan that may work, so that two heads are better than one,” He took a memorandum-book from his pocket, and wrote upon it the following message: ‘*Puar Nose:—Your daughter, Silver Dove, is a captive of the pale-faces, at Daggersville, and if you attempt to attack the town she will be killed and scalped, If you and your band come over to our side, your daughter willl be restored to you. Take ‘our choice, if you will join our party, a pistol Remember, any treachery oh four part will camp. member, an seal the doom of the Silver Dover ‘ “LirrLte Quick-Ss8oT.” After writing this message, the sccut searched about until be found a fair-sized pebble, around which he securely wrapped the paper. ‘* Flat Nose can read English perfectly well, and this will do as well as an interview!” he said, ‘* After I hurl it into the camp, however, we shall bave to run for it to get out of easy reach!” He then measured the distance with his eagle eye, and hurled the missile toward where Flat. ose was standing. It struck the grim old savage in the stomach, and dropped at his feet. Without waiting to watch the effect, Quick- Shot and Grit ran swiftly back into the dark- ness for several hundred yards before they paused, Then they beard an indistinct bubbub of voices, and knew that the message had been discovered, and was creating a sensation. For a few minutes all suddenly became silent. Quick-Shot’s keen geze never once left the direction of the encampment, and Grit hovered near bim, equally anxious and interested. espe do you think they are doing?’ Grit asked, ‘*IT don’t know. The knoll) yonder hides them from our view. Ycu remain bere, and I will reconnoiter a bit. Don’t move from here lest I lose you.” Slinging his rifle to bis back, he crept away tbrough the gress, and was soon Jost to view. Ten minutes fled, and Grit grew anxious. ‘‘Can it be that they have captured bim?’ she murmured. ‘It seems to me something must bave happened.” Ten winutes more passed; still the Scarlet Scout did not return. Grit now was deeply alarmed. The camp-fires were dying out, and glhocm was enveloping the places where they had burred. ‘*T cannot stand this suspense,” the girl mut- tered. ‘‘I must try to find out what bas be- come of Donald.” Drawing a revolver, she crept in thé direc- tion that Little Quick-Sbhot bad gone. | In a few minutes she came in sight of the spot where the Indian encampment bad been. The smoldering embers of the camp-fires alone remained. Nor was there much light beyond the villa, wherethe cowboys bad been encamped. W bat did it all mean?” Were the united forces in the villa, or had they crept toward the Cottonwoods to make an attack? The latter was the most likely theory; yet Grit was not content to believe anything she was not sure of, especially on such a critical night as this; so she stole like a shadow toward the villa, and made a reconnoissance entirely around it, without discovering a sign of human presence. Both the camps were deserted. The blackest of gloom pegne? supreme in the direction of the Cottonw Up at the mining-camp only, a star-like light was visible here and there, kel oxexe) » oa) 1‘ aed ¢ cS comicl ——s hod Oe