Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 387 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

A Warpath Will, the Traitor Guide. the lonely occupant of the deserted village, aloe the door and settled himself down to sleep. But hardly had his eyes closed, when the loud and dismal hoot of an owl caused him to start to his feet. He drove the bird of ill-omen away from the roof, where it had perched itself and again sought bis rude couch, when once more melan- eboly notes were heard. Cursing the owl be arose and shot it, and had hardly re-entered the cabin, when its mate turned up ir a most dismal way. In vain he sought rest, and rising once more, fired at the other bird, but missed it. Then the long-drawn-out howl of the wolf was heard, and next the petulant yelp of the coyote, ‘Curse this place! the souls of the miners who died here seem to haunt the place in the bodies of wolves and night-birds,” growled the man who had called himself Warpath Will, as he once more tried to get to sleep. At last the sounds seemed to grow fainter in his ears, as slumber deadened his senses, and he had lost consciousness in sleep, to suddenly spring to his feet, as shriek after shriek rung through the deserted camp. In an instant the hooting owls, howling wolves and yelping coyotes were silenced. Like a statue stood Warpath Will, the light of the flickering fire on the hearth showing him to be very pale. “It is a panther, or a mountain lion,” he said, as the shrieks continued. Going to the door he looked out, and the sounds grew louder and louder. The night was very dark, and a drizzling rain had set in, making the scene without dismal in the extreme, But still that wild, unearthly shriek continued, growing louder and louder, as the one who ut- tered it came nearer and nearer. With frightened yelps the wolves and coyotes fled, the owls flapped their heavy wings and flew hooting with fright away, and witha cry that showed how terror-stricken he was War- path Will grasped up his blankets and rushed to the next cabin where his horse was moving nervously about, also seemingly impressed by the wild cries. Throwing the saddle and bridle upon him with hot haste, he darted out of the cabin with the cry: ‘“* The place is haunted.” Through the deserted camp he rode with the of the wind, while behind him rung fainter and fainter the unearthly cries that had so start- led him, and caused him, brave man that ha was, to fly from what he believed was a being of another world, while he murmured again and again: ‘‘Heaven have mercy upon me, if roy life is to be haunted like this for my crime.” CHAPTER V. THE WOLF IN LAMB’S WOOL) Iy Mrs, Marsden had felt any doubt of the capabilities of her brave son, as a guide, the disappeared as soon as she had been on the trail a couple of days, wholly under his charge. He seemed to know exactly where lay the best roadways, so that she would not be shaken up badly, timed his halt for noon in such a way, that some cool spring, or rivulet was reached, with refreshing shade to lie beneath, and good grass for the stock, while his camping-places were certainly charming spots, and as safe as was possible under existing circumstances. The best game he shot for food, and he cooked in a way that gave a relish to all she ate. Their ‘‘ outfit ” consisted of one stout wagon, drawn by two mules, and an ambulance with a couple of fine horses, with several led riding- animals bebind. Guy had wished to hire a man to drive, but Mrs. Marsden said that she would take care of the ambulance, and Cleone volunteered for the mule wagon, leaving the youth to lead the way on horseback and look after the party generally. Upon easy roads, Cleone would frequently leave her team to follow after the ambulance, while she mounted her horse and rode with her brother. Of course, they missed the company they had had with the train, and the nights seemed very lonely to them; but Mrs. Marsden was cheered by the thought that each day brought them nearer to their home, and she hoped against hope that she would then be able to recuperate her failing health. She certainly seemed brighter, as the days pees: and one night, when they camped in the ills, Guy said: ** Mother, you are improving fast, and I know you will continue to do so, for in four days more we will be at home.” ‘*Heaven grant it, my son; but somehow, to-night, there is a shadow upon my heart, as though some dread evil were going to befall us, } ‘*Oh, no, mother; your thoughts are impress- ed with gloom because I showed you the graves on the way back of my comrades, who were killed when I was on my way to you. ‘*“ No, no; all looks bright to me now, for we have passed through the Indian country, which I dreaded, and if we meet any one in the moun- tains they will be miners,” ‘“Or road-agents,” suggested Mrs. Marsden, whose mind was filled with stories of the cruel- ties of the Road-agents of the Overland. ‘““We have little to tempt road-agents, mother, for they do not care for household effects. ‘* But will father not besurprised and delight- ed at our purchases for housekeeping? ‘*T declare, we can make our home most com- fortable with what we have, and there is a lone spot near for a garden and corn and potato patch, and for that I brought the plow, while our chickens will just be in clover when we let them out of their cage into the canyon. ** Then I will run down south after some beef cattle and cows,and our home will be com- plete, for it is no ordinary cabin that father in- tended to build, with the aid of the miners of Lost Hope City. oa ' tell you, wother, we will be most happy there, and in acouple of years, at furthest, we will have dug a fortune out of the mine, and can return and hold up our heads among the wealthiest—so don’t be blue.” Tbus Guy ran on, painting the pleasures an- ticipated in their new home, and in listening to him both Mrs. Marsden and Cleone seemed to cast off a certain gloom that had come over ae as they entered the shadowy mountain trail. The fire burned brightly, the odors of broilin meats and steaming coffee filled the air, an the scene was picturesque and cheerful. The ambulance and wagon formed half a square as a background, and a comfortable seat had been arranged for the invalid mother, while Guy and his sister cooked supper. The stockmen were under the shelter of the hillside, staked out for the night, the tent was pitched, in which Mrs, Marsden and Cleone slept, and the camp scene seemed complete with- out an intruder, who just then rode up. ** Ho, Guy, how are you? ‘‘ And you Mrs. Marsden and Miss Cleone?” The words rung out on the night air, and the firelight fell full upon a horseman who had ridden near, his approach unbeard on the vel- vety grass. ‘“‘The guide!” cried Mrs, Marsden, while Cleone said: ‘** Not dead!” ‘* Warpath Will as I live!” broke from the lips of the surprised youth, and springing to the side of the guide he grasped his hand. Warpath Will looked pale and worn, and slowly dismounted from his horse, which Guy led away and staked out, while he said: ‘*'You look used up, Warpath, so rest your- self, and Cleone and I will soon have supper ready.” * 4 am used up,” said the guide, as Mrs. Marsden held out her hand, and then he grasped that of Cleone, though the maiden hardly of- fered hers. ‘* We deemed you dead, sir,” said Mrs, Mars- en. ‘* Indeed! I suppose my not returning to eamp caused that belief.” ‘Did nothing befall you?” asked Cleone, ‘Nothing, other than that I lost my way,” was the hesitating reply, and both Mrs. Mars- den and Cleone noticed the seemingly con- strained manner of the guide in answering. Just then Guy returned and said: “Well, Warpath, Iam glad to see you; but you gave us all a scare, when I went in search of you and returned with the news that I found our dead horse, and that you had evidently Sadi killed, or captured by red-skins.” The man started, while Cleone said: ‘“‘The guide says that nothing had befallen him, Guy.” ‘“T said that, Miss Cleone, not knowing Guy had trailed me, and to avoid giving your mother uneasiness,” was the quick reply. ‘‘Then I forgive the prevarication, sir,” said Mrs. Marsden, with a smile, adding: ‘‘ As it was meant fora kindness to me; but tell us, please, what harm befell you?’ | Fane 3S" ‘“‘T was attacked by Indians, madam, killed my horse and made me prisoner; but, a ter some days’ captivity I managed to make m escape, and returning to the camp where I le the train, found it gone. ‘‘T saw that you had come this way, while the train had returned, so I followed your trajl, wondering that you would have dared venture here alone,” “I felt I was equal to it, Warpath,” replied Guy. P I do not doubt it, Guy; but you must be on your guard now, for there is a foe here of whom yee Maule dream,” was the quiet response of the guide. ‘* Who is it?” asked Mrs. Marsden earnestly. ** Mormons, madam,” was the response. CHAPTER VI. , THE GUIDE’S OFFER. WHEN Warpath Will made the remark as did, about there being Mormons to be avoided, and inferring danger to follow, Cleone could not but see a contradiction in bis doing so, com- pared with his having told a falsehood a few moments before, about himself, as he said, not to worry her mother. He bad skipped very lightly over bis capture, wd bac and escape, and never having parti- cularly fancied the man, she was ever ready to pick a flaw in his actions. With the entire train, and especially with Guy, Warpath Will had been a great favorite, and his supposed death had been deeply mourned. Why he had come on after them, from whom he would certainly get notbing for his services, ag he bad been hired by Mr. Beckwith, and not go back to the train, Cleone could not understand. And yet, her heart hinted at the reason, for, more than once had the guide spoken of his love for her, but been repelled with coldness. He was a striking-looking man, not rough as were the bordermen about him, and the youn maidens of the train, excepting Cleone, ha been flattered by his attentions. But Cleone felt that there was something about the man that was mysterious, and, un- able to fathom him she could not like him. She knew well, at that time, that the Mor- mons were causing trouble in the West, and a party of them were to be avoided. Many stories bad she heard, around the camp- fires, of the cruel deeds of the Mormons, their having kidnapped women and children, and their merciless acts toward those who did not believe in their faitb. Taking many of these stories as false, yet: enough was known to cause her to dread them, and feeling the blood recede from her own face, when the guide spoke of their being near, she glanced at ber mother to see that she had turn- ed deathly pale. Instantly she said: “We have nothing to fear from Mormons, sir,so why worry my mother by mentioning them?” **No, Miss Cleone, there is nothing to fear, for I will guide you by a way that they will not find us. ‘‘ But, to be frank with you, it was because I knew that a Danite captain and his band had come this way, that I took your trail to warn you, instead of going back to the train.” ‘* Tt was very kind of you, sir; but what are we to do?” asked Mrs. Marsden, ‘*T will make a scout to-night, and discover just where the Mormon band are encamped, and the best trail for us to take to avoid them,” ‘* Tt is so kind of you, sir.” ‘*No, Mrs. Marsden. it is my duty, for, unpro- tected as you are, as Guy and myself could do but little good, the Mormons would be only too glad to carry you and Miss Cleone off into cap- tivity, and I do not doubt but that that is their object.” ‘*God forbid!” ejaculated the poor invalid. and she fell back upon her couch of blankets, while her eyes turned anxiously upon Cleone, who sprung to her side and said: ‘¢ Mother, do not worry, for we have seen no Mormons as yet, and I believe we will not run into any danger.” Then turning to Warpath Will, she said se- verely: ‘‘Tt was unkind of you, sir, to thus pain my mother.” ‘* Sis, Warpath acted for the best, I am sure, for he wished to place us upon our guard,” and he added, as his sister came to his side at a mo- tion from bim: ‘*T am confident that he knows more than he bas as and even now they may be upon our tra » é . y ‘ 4 se " ( (| ee '