Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 422 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

14 Baby Sam, the Boy Giant of the The Boy Giant and Benraymond stood in a clump | of bushes near the center of the island, where they | to be killed and his misery ended, “I never strike an could command a partial view of the cabin and yet | not be seen. Presently a figure was seen gliding among the bushes on the floating island. It was that of an Indian, who peered all around him and atthe cabiu: then he turned and went back inthe direction of the raft, and a few seconds later Scott Dresden, fo!- lowed by Donald Strahm, half a dozen outlaws and a dozen savages, filed around the cabin and stopped in front. of it. ‘Hullo, in there!’’ Dresden demanded, but he re- ceived no answer, and with an oath he advanced cautiously, and rapped upon the door with the butt of his revolver. Baby Sam and Beriraymond involuntarily drew back and half crouched in the bushes, ’ By the etern™l!”’ they heard Dresden say, ‘I don’t believe there’s a soul inside of this hut.”’ ‘Open the door and go in,” commanded Donald Strahbm, in an imperative tone; ‘don’t you see the latch-string'’s out?’’ ‘Down, Sam!’ whispered Benraymond, excited- ly,andthe pext icstant trey were lying flat upon their faces, for they knew the awful crisis was.com- ing. CHAPTER XIV. A TEARFUL EXPLOSION, Scarenuy had Laby Sam and Benraymond thrown themselves on the ground, when the very earth seemed to burst asunder and the heavens to fall witharo-r and crash that rivaled the thunderbolts of Jove. The two men were fairly stunned by the awful concussion, and for several moments lay as if dead, while dirt, boughs and de/ris of every descrip- tion rained dowa tpon ard around them, comple‘e- ly burying them under. Theshrubbe’ y on the island bent to the earth as ifin the fury of a hurricane, and the -island itself rocked as if by an earthquake. Digging their way from under the dirt and bushes, Baby Sam and the recluse found a gloom of sulphur- ous smoke hanging over and around them thet wes almost impenetrable, and fairly suffocating with its stifling fumes. But a smart breeze finally swept it away, and the two exchanged glances, terror being depicted upon the face of Benraymond. ** By the smoke of judgment! this is more than we fizured on,”’ said Baby Sam. “My God, I should say it was!’ responded Ben- raymond. “Just look around us at the ruin and desolation.”’ Overhead the trees were torn and stripped of their foliage and the boughs broken and blackened. Not a single log of the recluse’s cabin, or the raft upon which the floating island had been constructed, was to be seen, and all that part of the island upon which they stood, from the northerly extremity to within ten feet of them, had been swept clean of vegetation, andeven a part of the island itself was blown away. The lake still ran wild with angry waves that were black with drd7vis. Not an outlaw or an Indian could be seen anywhere. Thedestruc- ticn of the foe seemed to have been terrible in its completeness. “Sam, my boy,’ Benraymond finally went on, “i? we'd been ten feet closer we’d have been killed.” ‘**No doubt of it, sir,” replied the Boy Giant; ‘‘I thought once Iwas dead—bu’sted wide open; but I wonder how the girls stood the shock?—there goes Sparrowhawk and the little detective— Say, this way, meh+-how are the girls?” ‘All right ’’ answered Ichabod Flea, while Spar- rowhavwk, turning, glided back to tell the girls of Sam’s and Benraymond’s safety; ‘‘it made us all bounce, though, I tell you,” the detective continued; ‘*l'd smile if we wer'n’t badly concussed. Great Jerusalem crickets! I thought the whole infernal regions had bu’sted. And 1 see’d red-skins and out- laws go straddling up into the clouds of heaven in every shape; and the way cabin, Jozgs, trees, dirt, stones and water flew wasa caution to the oldest ‘geyser.’’ * Well, I think that rids the eart': of some of your enemies, Mr. Benraymond,”’ said Baby Sam. ‘*T hope so,” replied the recluse, ‘‘ for God knows T have suffered enough at the hands of that man Fenwick, and now—” Further speech was here cut short by a low, agonized groan issuing from the brush on the west side of the island. ‘*By heavens! some oné of them is alive!’ ex- claimed Flea, ‘ ‘Let us see,”’ scid Benraymond, * for no creature, be it ev rso vile, if it is helpless, shail want for my help.”’ They searc "ed the undergrowth, ard true enough found the burned and blackened body of a man still living. His face was black as night, cut and bleed- ing. Most of his clothing was torn off of him, and as Baby Sam approached him and spoke, he lifted his face, and in agony shrieked out: **T am blind! blind!” “Yes, you are badly hurt,”’ replied Sam, kindly. “Yes, and I pray you will shoot me! Iamdying of agony—! am blind—oh, quick! kill me!’? and. he elutched wildly at space. ** By the kissin’ Judas!’ exclaimed Ichabod Flea, aside to Beniaymond, ‘“‘that wretch is Donald Strahm |’’ “Ah!” exclaimed Benraymond, with ao start, a Strange light burning in his eyes. ‘then he has been spared to know that he is to die from his own sins!” He walked closer and looked down into the face but there was little there in the black and disfigured countenance resembling the ounce arrogant and haughty Donald Strahm, | | | | | ' | ‘“* No, no,’’ replied Baby~ Sam to the man’s appeal enemy when he ‘is down, I'll help you through though—do what I can to alleviate your suffering.”’ ‘Then give me your revolver—vvu/” shrieked the man. **No, I cannot do that.” ** Who are you?. I’m blind—I can’t see!” ‘*T’m Baby Sam.” ‘** Baby Sam.”’ “Baby Sam! Then why don’t you end my suf- fering? You're as heartless with me as I was with you. Is there no one by who will kill me? Where is Warren Hauover? He will kill me—tell me, Baby Sam, where is Warren Hanover?’ **Lam here, Norton Fenwick,” replied the recluse. “Ha! that old voice!’ exclaimed the wounded man; * thatis his—the man Ihave pursued War- ren. [do not. ask your mercy—I cannot—kill me— kill me!”’ ‘*No, I will not, Fenwick; I will help.to care for you —nurse :you back to healthand strength,’’ re- plied Benraymond. Yellowstone The wounded man groaned in his agony, then, as | if suddenly becoming delirious, he called out: ** Dresden! Dresden! where are you” ‘** He’s dead, Fenwick,’’ said Baby Sam, “Dead? What killed him? What happened? What crushed my body so and blinded me?’ the man asked, Benraymond .dispatehed Sparrowhawk for a blanket, upon which the wounded man was placed and carried to the interior of the grove. Then, de- spite his protestations. and his begging to be let alone to die, water was brought and his body washed and bathed and his wounds bandared., After this treatment he became easier, and his groans and cries finally ceased, though his suffering was intense. Fehabod Flea finally took Baby Sam aside and said o him: ‘‘Sam, that man’s bound to die, and we oucht to have a confession, from him before he goes oit, And -by ail means Kit Bandy should be here.”’ “IT can bring him here, I think, in a few hours,” replied the Boy Giant. “I left him in camp not over four or five miles from here yesterday evening, and will start at once.” “All right, I will stay by Strahm, and when he he- comes eagier will endeavor to draw him out,”’ said the detective. Baby Sam told the rest of his friends of his inten- tions of going ashore, and, having borrowed Ben- raymond’s revolvers 2nd canoe, he tock his ad par- ture, Wilma cnd Sarah stood by the shore and watched 5 as he glided over the now tranquil waters of the ake, Benraymond and Ichabod Flea watched by the side of the suffering Strahm. The former looked upon him in his blindness and misery with a stern look of mingled pity and disdain, but Flea kept up a sort of random conversation, An hour nearly bad_ passed since Baby Sam’s de- parture, when suddenly a scream was heard at the Jower end of the island. It came from the lips of one of the girls, and, hurrying down to where they stood, Wilma pointed out over the lake excitedly, saying: 4 ‘ one Mr. Benraymond! Jook, the Indians are after am 9 Looking in the direction indicated, Benraymond saw two canoes filled with savages in swift pursuit of the Boy Giant. They had pat outfrom a couple of small islands, between which the young mount- aineer had passed, and, as the savages were between the boy and his frien s, there was no returning to the island. THis only show lay in outdistancing the foe and reaching the shore, but from where his friends stood it looked as though his pursuers were closé upon him. “The red devils,”’ said Flea, ** were concealed there to cut off the retreat of the folks from the island, here, in case they fled from the approach of the raft. But the raft, oh, where is it?” “Mr. Benraymond, do you think they will catch Sam?” asked Wilma, with tremulous lips. ‘*My child, I eannot say—I hope not.’ ** They'll have a lively time if they do, and don’t you neglect it,” put in Flea; **I tell you that boy’s made of the best mettle.”’ The distance between Baby Sam and the foe, how- ever, was greater than it appeared to those on the island, and was momentarily being widened. The Indian’s canoes were loaded to their utmost capac- ity, and despite the fact of there being two paddles to each, the Boy Giant soon found that he had Jittle to fear, for the time being, from his savage pur- suers, And when he found he was safe €nough, he took a kind of deflant delight in letting them gain upon him a little, then pulling out again. In this way the chase continued for fully two miles, and as the shore of the mainland was now but a mile away, the fearless young mountaineer bent to his work and finally reached it half a mile in advance of the savages, Dragging his canoe onto the beach he turned and glided into the woods which, at this point, were quite dense, Not far from the shore he stopped, and. reaching into a hol- low tree, drew therefrom his rifle and cartridge-belt that he had left there the night before when he swam to the reseue of Sabina Bandy ard Sarah Marshall. ‘Now, then,.’’ the fearless young giant mused, *“T’'m at home, and woe to them red-skins.”’ He advanced to the edge of the woods, and measuring the distance to the foremost savage canoe, adjusted the sight, and then resting the wea- pon against the side of a tree, took aim and fired. .. The ball cut the water just in front of the boat. | f | oe ‘*A little short.”’ the ycuth mused, ‘*‘ but I'll be about right now,” and again he brought the weapon to bear on the foe. This time the deadly bullet went home, and a sav- age sunk lifeless inthe boat. But beforehis friends could scarcely realize the terrible facet, for they were still four hundred yards from the shore, and a shot at that distance seemed a miracle, they ‘saw dnoth?r puff of smoke on shore, they beard the ‘‘spat’’ of a bullet, end another friend fell lifeless. ** Oh, you red fools!”’ exclaimed the young sharp- shooter to hitnself, ‘‘{ can dothat ail day. I’ve got the range now.” The two canoes ‘ran alongside each other and came toastand. Their cccupants seemed to enter into a council, and while this wes going on Paby Sam sent another ounce-ball of lead on its deadly mission, and as be’saw a paddle in the bands of a red-skin thrown into the air, he- burst into a peal of silent laughter, . ‘By smoke! I never had so much fun ip my life,” he soliloguized, *‘ and I’d give afish-hook if Old Kit Bandy was here to see how I slap—” “By the horn of Joshua! Jam here,”’s id avoice stepping from the opposite side of the tree and turning, Baby Sam found his wish fully gratific d, for Kit Bandy stood before him. “ Where did you come from, Kit?’ the boy asked apparently a_ little peiplexed at being overhear thinking aloud. * From right around that tree. I see’d you land, boy, get your gun, send a ranger over the water, then popit'o them. You’re a daisy, boy, on the shoot—nighly a8 good as Iused to be when my eye- sight reached out like yours. But say, boy, where you bin?” . Baby Sam told him in.a few brief words. “ Krow anything of the le yet?” ‘‘ Both are safe on the island with Benraymond.”’ ‘*Gal-ory!’’ shouted the old detective; ‘* did you rescues ‘em, boy?” “T helped.” “Say, do you know what it Was that bu’sted over on the lake about eleven o'clock to-day? ‘‘it was Benraymond blowing up his floating island with Scott Dresden, Donald Strahm and their min- ions aboard of it.” ** You don’t tell me!” ‘Yes, and every mother’s son of them was blown out of existence except Donald Strahim, and he lays blind, bleeding and dying on the island. Ichabod ea sent me over here after you.”’ “Tchabod Flea? Then he’s got around, eh?” and Bandy’s ¢yes ing et “bul say, do you know any- thine of my wife, Sabina?’ , “Oh, get out, you old scoundrel!” said Baby Sam, witha laugh; “'youend your old woman are frauds. That won’t work any longer, Kit; Sabina gave the thing away.”’ ‘“*Hal ha! ha!’ roared Old Kit; ‘**heydoogins of times have we fooled the sharpest o’ folks that way. And so the gals are safe, and Dresden’s dead, and Strahm’s dying? Well, well, I told the boys to-day when I heard a roarin’ in my left ear that 1 war goin’ to hear some good news—it’s a sign that never fails, boy, only when it mi&sés. Butésay, them Ingins are comin’ this way again. Excuse me for distarbin’ your matinee.’ A few more well-directed shots sent the surviving savages back into the lake, when Old Kit Bandy said: “Tl run to camp, Sammy, tell the folks where I’m going and the good news from over the water, I’il be back in an hour.” So saying, the old detective took his departure, and Baby Sam remain: d to guard his canoe. Meanwhile night was approaching, and those on the island were passing the moments in doubt and uncertainty. Wilma paced the shore of the lake. éver watching out over the water through her tears forthe coming of her boy lover—praying for his safety and safe re- turn to her. About sunset she was joined by Mr. Benraymond who, after he had spoken some kind words of encouragement to her, said: ‘“Wilma, I hope you will pardon me for introduc- ing the subject when you are feeling so bad, but I have just been talking with Detective Flea, and from him have I learned that this man, Strabm, now lying on this isle, has been endeavoring to kidnap you, and for that purpose came into this valley.” “Why me. any more than Sarah, Mr. Benray- mond?” the maiden asked. ; ‘‘You seem to be in his way more particularly than Sarah,” ‘What? Iin Donald Strahm’s way?” “Yes; Lsee you are ignorant of your past life, chiid—your birth.”’ Wilma started and turned pale. Looking up into Benraymond’s face she replied: “Mr. Benraymond, there is nothing in my past life that Iam ashamed of, and while I— The dip of a paddle fell upon her ears, and turn- ing her head she saw a canoe with four occupants pireving over the water through the gathering twi- ght The two listened. They could ‘hear voices, and suddenly Wilma exclaimed: "ek. ints hear the voice of Sam!”’ “Halt!” who comes there?” the piping voice of Ichabod Flea suddenly called out. “Oh, git away over there with your racket, Ich- abod Flea, or, by the horn of Joshua, I'll salt you!” was the reply that came from the boat. ‘‘Old Kit, by Jeerusalem crickets!’’ declared the ure eariay na te the boat landed, and Baby Sa é next minu e boa nd Ba m, Kit Bandy, Henry Rodman and Old Spokane Joe is d upon the island amid glad shouts and cries of joy. 7 a ' i o 4 +