Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 422 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

i - ieee F > 2 = Ss & » ot ‘*Poor papa! how I wish I could go right over to him. I think our danger is all over with now, don’t you, Sam ?”’ “IThope so,’ the young mountaineer replied; “but, Wilma, how came you upon ‘iis island? Who rescued you and brought you here?” “| learned from Sarah, who is now in Mr. Ben- raymond’s cabin, that it was you who shot the pase that was dragging me along the ledge, an me * And did the animal not injure you, Wilma?”’ ‘Not in the least, and may wonder at it, too, But you see those wretched Indians had wrapped me in so many thicknesses of a blanket, that the panther’s teeth did not reach the flesh. It was Spar- rowhawk, the friendly, who. after you had killed the panther, carried me away toa place of safety. He was on the ledge at the time the shot was fired, and as you were concealed in the thick woods below he could not see at but supposed that it was a Sioux that shot the beast.” “Well, good for Sparrowhawk,” said Sam; “‘ but what a queer Indian he is, He never opened ~ head o me about rescuing you or your safe.’ ‘*He does not talk much, Sam, but he is a good eae if one lives. Healso saved brcther Frank's ife.’ ‘*Yes, so Frank told me,’ replied the Boy Gi- ant; ‘but, Wilma, didn’t Sparrowhawk bring you ee to this isiand after he fled with you from the e?’ eing ‘*He did, Sam, though I was unconscious at the time, and you may judge of my surprise and bewil- derment when I recovered to finda strange, bearded man seated at my bedside.” ‘* Ay, it was Aaron Benraymond,” said Sam; ‘‘ do you know who he is, Wilma?”’ “Nothing only that he is a noble, kind-hearted man, living here alone with no one but Sparrow- hawk, his scout, foracompanicn. I think he has some great sorrow weighing upon him. Once when I awoke from a feverish seep. long in the dead hour of night, he was sitting by my bedside ssid 7 ing. It made me feelso sorry for him that I could not help weeping, too. Once he knelt by my bedside and prayed. AgainIsaw him pacing the floor of his tent with his eyes fairly blazing, his teeth set, and his whole being so changed that it frightened me. I thought he was going mad. I know you will like him, Sam, for he is such a nobls and kind-heart- ed man. It was he who covered you with the blank- et this morning, and would not let us awaken you. He said you were tired and needed the sleep and rest, and so all morning I have been waiting and watching for you to awake, Oh, you don’t know how happy i am.” “IT don’t, eh?” replied Sam; “ well, I only hope yom are as as happy as I am, my deargirl. But, ilma, did Mr. Benraymond tell you avything of his past life?” * Nothing, Sam, whatever.” “Well, I have heard so much of him that I am anxious to meet him.”’ **Come then with me, and your wish shall be gratified,”’ said Wilma, leading the way toward the cabin near the center of the island. Reaching the door. she conducted him into the cabin, and when Mr. Benraymond advanced to meet them, she said: “Mr, Benraymond, this is my young friend, Sam- uel Burling.”’ ‘*‘ Otherwise known as Baby Sam, the Boy Giant,”’ said Benraymond, with a smile, as he grasped the boy’s hand and shook it warmly; ‘‘my boy, wel- come to my humble home—you of whom I hava heard so much, Iam glad to meet you, my boy. I heard a little maiden talking of you insher sleep the otber night, and for hersake am I also glad, for — your coming has brought the roses to her cheeks.”’ Wilma blushed to the tips of her ears, while Old Sabina Bandy rocked herself to and froand lau*bed heartily at the young folks’ confusion. ‘It is pleasant to know one’s friends think of them when absent,”’ said Baby Sam, * True, very true, my boy,” affirmed Benraymond; ‘“‘but now, Sam, make yourself at home—just as ou would in the cabin of an old hunter friend, and on go and prepare you some breakfast. The rest of us have had our breakfast. I would not let them arouse you, for I knew you needed sleep as well as food.” ‘You are very kind, Mr, Benraymond, but do not put yourself to trouble for me,”’ said the boy, 4 An I can do for you will be a 1le-sure, Sam,” replied the man, and he retired to his kitchen apart- ment with a light step and happy heart, Bavy Sam now had an opportunity of looking around him. He found the cabin small yet a. per- fect grotto of glittering minerals wrought into strange sha by the hand of nature and arranged into groups by Benraymond where the blending of colors rivaled the beauty of the rainbow. Quartz of agate, amethyst, flint, jasper, malachite and carne- lian were there; also, feldspar, opal, pumice, and volcanic glass that sparkled like cut diamonds—each and all the production of that wonderful valley. en magnificent imens of petrified wood and imbedded animal life were dis ed in 3 1 toa fusion, and all this fine collect on, in addition Md ile of books, m ines and even newspapers, tol: how the strange man occupied, at least, part of his After Baby Sam had partaken of a heart break- fast he sat down to discuss _ hes of the situa- tion with his genial host... He told of his friends on shore who were no doubt sore over his prolonged absence, and the unknown fate of the maidens, and finally he arose, saying: , es Baby Sam, the Boy Giant of the . ay ‘ y ‘ : “~ - «™* 7 ° i “I must go ashore, Mr. Benraymond, and find | shrill voice that sounded strangely familiar te Ben- them, and not only tell them of the girl’ssafety, but warn them of the dangers that surround them.”’ “Give yourself no uneasiness about them. Sam, for I dispatched Sparrowhawk, my faithful friend and scout, ashoreéarly this morning to find them and watch the foe,” “Indeed? You are very kind and thoughtful, Mr. Benraymond, and I sincerely hope—yea, I believe— that out ofall this there is to come a reward that you are not dreaming of."’ ‘‘Sam, what do you mean?” asked the man, fixing his great soulful eyes upon tue boy with an almost prayerful look. ; ‘Oh, L expect I’ve sa'd too much now,” replied the boy; * but you’ll know all about it, Mr. Benray- mond, as soon as you see Kit Bandy, whom I left in the camp of my friends last night.” “What, the husband of this woman in the cabin?” + COS,’ gir.”* “Who and what is Kit Bandy, Sam?” ‘* A mountain detective.”’ ** And is he—’’ The man’s words were here cut short by the sud- den appearance of Sparrowhawk in the room in great excitement, and before he was scarcely across the threshold he exclaimed: | _‘*Pale-faces in danger!—big float come—heap Sioux-—heap outlaws—all come!”’ Rising they followed the Indian out of the cabin and down to the water’s edge, and from the cover of a fringe of willows they looked out over the lake and beheld the object of Sparrowhawk’s excitement, It was a@ large, ill-looking log-raft floating down atraigne toward the island. Nota sign of life was visible about it, but this was accounted for, when, with the aid of Benraymond’s glass, they saw that a breastwork of logs was laid up on the forward part of the raft, the rear being Salaniced with stones, Four Indian blankets were rigged as sails, and there being a fair breeze blowing seaward the murderous- looking raft moved at a fair speed. ‘* By heavens!” cried Benraymond, “itis an ugly craft, and if enemies are aboard of her they mean to do us harm,” * They Sioux and white outlaws,” said Sparrow- hawk, as if touched by Benraymond’s remark ex- ressing & doubt as to the crew, * me on shore—see em git on float—dodge here, dodge thete—git ’way round and hurry here tell you.” ‘* That settles it then, and they mean to board us,” said Benraymond., ‘It looks that way, sir,’’ replied Baby Sam, “and since I left my Winchester asho e last night, I hardly know what to do, If I had it here I’d throw afeeler down against that breastwork that would give them to understaud we were ready for them,” ‘* Aside from tho rifle and a pair of navy revolvers I have no firearms,” said Denraymond, ‘and if the effect a landing, as they undoubtedly will, it will surely go hard with us.”’ “Can't you put your island afloat and get away from them?” asked Sam. ‘No, it would only ficat with the wind, and we would be overtaken, sure, and that, too, when out further from shore. Were we alone—had we not the lives of those women depending upon us, we could give the scoundrels battle. Or, we had boats in which to flee, we might elude them that way. We could send the women afloat in the boat we have, but we have no assurance that such.a con- tingency has nct been guarded against by the foe, and that they would not be captured by enemies ly- ing in wait among the islands around us.” “Well, we'll have to do something, Mr. Benray- mond, and that pretty quick.” “Thave a plan in my head, Sam, that I believe will work; at least, nothing can be lost in trying it. That is, to remove the women and such things as we can to the adjacent island under cover, and then when the foe bas landed on this island, as they will have to before reaching the other, blow it up,” “A good idea, though a desperate one, if you've aon the stuff to blow it up with,” said the Boy iant. . “T have acan of giant powder in my cabin that I brought with me for mining’ purposes, but never used a grain of ib. . ‘¢ Great smoke! we'd hardly be safe on the other island, would we, to touch off a can of that pow- er? ‘+ We would bo apt to hear the report and dcoubt- less feel the shock,” replied the man, with a gri smile. “ Well, it’s & desperate case and requires desper- ate treatment. I’d rather be blown up by my own yetard than cut down by asavage, But what we do, r. Benraymond, must be done at once.” ‘* Yes, yes, let us be at work,” said Benraymond. The two turned and walked back to the cabin, Sparrowhawk having slipped away a few minutes vious. They found Wilma and Sarah alone in he room, and upon inquiry learned that Mrs. Bandy had gone out some time previous. Her absence, at the time caused a little uneasiness, and Benraymond started out in search of her, At the door he was met by astranger, whose sudden appearance there startled him How the man had ever reached the island without being seen by the watchful Sparrow- hawk was a mystery to the recluse. The stranger was a man of about forty years, rather small in stature, with a smooth, beardless face and a keen, bright eye. He was dressed ina closely fitting suit of blue jeans, cow-hide shoes and & queer-looking head-cover that could be called neither hat nor cap. In his belt was a pair of small Good-mornin’, sir,” said the stranger, ina sharp, revolvers. . aye ’ ¥ 1 7 « iat Oe) : Vide. "> y ; ; See » SOR ons ee 4 a. . tly ¥ af Yellowstone. B. a — , oe | ey »& ee ee ee eee ee raymond, ) ‘Sir,’ replied Benraymond, rather abruptly, “me have not the pleasure of your a¢tquaintance.”’ The stranger broke intu a low, silent laugh. ‘*My name is Flea—Ichabod Flea, and I’m the ard of Old Kit Bandy, Esquire, in the deteciive usiness.”’ ‘*But how did you get here?” ‘*‘Cameina boat, of course; but. stranger, seein” you don't veecognize me, I'll tell you who I am as there's no need of .urther disguise. You knew me awhile ago as Sabina Bandy.” ‘*Zounds!”’ cried Benraymond, ‘that is prepos- moe ridiculous! such a deception is impossible, sir!’ “It might be in any one but Ichabod Flea,” th z stranger went on; ‘‘and I'll admit it’s gitting the business down fine for a man to go gallavantin around in female apparel, but you see we detectives have to resort to all kinds of trickery in order to trick the tricker. Moreover, you see l’ve the beard-- less face—never a hair grew on it—and the voice full of feminine sweetness to play the wronged wife toa deemonstration and success which I've did for years off and on, Stranger, if you don’t b’lieve me, can show Si my female attire,” Waugh!” suddenly exclaimed Sparrowhawk, gliding from the Lushes hard by. a savage grin on his dusky face, ‘‘he tell truth—me see him take off squaw dress—make bonnet all up into dot on he head—waugh! he heap much durn cheat—he fraud —he! he! he!” This evidence was enough for Benraymond. and despite the dangers that surrounded them the re-- cluse could not repress a smile at the Indian's: facetious remarks. ‘Well, Mr. Flea,” he said,‘ I'll have to accept. vga owhawk's evidence, but it doesn’t seem possi- ble that such deception could be practiced. But: why did you throw off your disguise?” ‘No pa‘ticular need of it ncw, and seeing you were likely to have some fighting to do, I want~d to: take a hand in it and didn’t want to take too much advantage of a female’s attire.” : ‘You confounded rascal!’ exclaimed the Boy Giant, coming from the cabin, he and the girls hav- ing overheard the whole of the conversation be- tween Benraymond and Flea; “I’ve a notion to ehuck you into the lake. Such a monumental de- ceptio.! You played the wronged and heaert-- broken wife so superbly that I shed tcars of pity for Ichabod Flea broke into a fit of hearty laughter, and but for the knowledge of approaching danger,, all would have enjoyed the little detective’s quaint and humorous revelations, stories of himself and the character he assumed, By this time the raft of the enemy was not over eighty rods away, and so every moment now was: precious, Baby Sam and Denraymond did not make known to: their friends the details of their plans of defense, but they inspired the breasts of the maidens with the assurance of their ability to cope with tl e foe, Most of Benraymond’s effects were carried over” to the south end of the fixed island, the removal. being made under cover of the floating island which stood between the other and the approaching raft. This done, the maidens were conducted to the same lace, and then, while Sparrowhawk and Ichabod lea kept watch upon the foe, Benraymond and the Boy Giant entered the cabin and closed the door be-: hind them. In the center «f the rocm they placed the can of giant powder and piled around it a heap of the re-- cluse’s quartz collections, The muzzle of a pistol loaded only with powger was then inserted in the can and fasten:d there. To the tr ager of the pistol a long string was tied, the other end of which was carried to the door of the cabin, and substituted for the latch-string with which the door was opened. This done they left the cabin with door closed, about a foot of the fatal stri: g hanging out. The one serviceable canoe on the island wes now taken around to the south side of the fixed island. with the understanding that, in case they failed in defeating the foe on the little floating island, Ben- raymond was to take the girls in the boat and flee, while 95 Sam, Ichabod Flea and Sparrowhawk were to take to the water and swim fer life. | By this time the enemv’s raft was not over a hun- dred yards away, and so Benraymond sent his three male friends to the fixed island while he remained to watch the craft. He took up a position behind the cabin, and befofe the raft was within fifty yards: of the island, a voice on board called out: | “Ho there, stranger!” Benraymond made n° revly. ‘** Hullo there, stranrer!"’ again called the voice. ‘“*What’s wanted?’ cuswered Benraymond, in a. clear, ringing \ oice. ‘* Your unconditional surr’ nder,’’ was the reply. Who are you that makes that demand?” aske Benraymond. ‘You'll find out to your bitter sorrow, Warren Hanover, if you raise a hand against me or my pon I give you two minutes in which to surren- er, ‘ ; A grim smile passed over the face of Benray- ire , and he involuntarily grasped the sword ati: e. | y ‘You will have to take me dead if you take me,” he finally replied, then he turned, and, keeping un- der cover of the cabin, hurried over and joined aby Sam on the other island. in the voice on the raft shouted hime | that was not understood. vompgthinan — moments of the deepest silence now fok- i owe oe ; oe. « 1 ee ee ie