Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 422 — page 2: what you’re looking at

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

ov; but of them we will speak more fully here- alter, Mary’s Lake was not over two miles away when it first burst upon the sight of the four happy you ug tourists, and their animals seem- ing to become imbued with their own eager and exuberant spirits quickened their pace and in a short time the western shore of the lake was reached. To dismount, unpack and unsaddle their horses and tether them out to grass that grew luxuri- antly hard by, occupied but a few short minutes, when the party sought the shade of a cluster of pines close by the lake and sat down to rest and enjoy the beauty and majesty of the scene out- spréad before them. _ Baby Sam was to have met them there at noon that day, when he was totake them, in a canoe he had concealed somewhere along tho west shore, to a lovely little island out somo forty rods in the lake, there to spend the after- noon and the coming night. ho Boy Giant had named it Wilma Isle, for he had often told her that it was the loveliest spot he had ever seen, being possessed of some strange and ro- mantic sights and sounds. It was just. ten o’clock when they reached the lake, so they would not have long to wait should Baby Sam be on time, “That,” said Frank Rodman, pointing toward the nearest island in the lake, ‘* must be Sam’s Wilma Isle,” ‘*T presume so,” replied Wilma, her fair face aglow with expectancy and admiration; ‘and I’m quite anxious to visit the island. Sam says that after night the waves chafing the pebbly shore make a faint, weird, sweet music that fairly charms the soul.” “To him, I suppose, the music of the waves is like that of your voice,” remarked Frank, ‘‘which accounts for the name of the island,’ whereupon he burst into a peal of rollicking laughter that was caught up by the wonderful echoes around them and sent dancing away into the mountains, like the laugh of a hundred satyrs. “Oh, Frank!” quickly exclaimed Wilma, as the dying echoes suddenly filled her mind witha vague fear; ‘‘ what if those bloodthirsty Bioux should dig up the hatchet again and raid over into the Yellowstone?” ‘*Such a thing is possible, though hardly - probable. If they should strike anywhere, it would be at the settlements in the Gallatin and Upper Yellowstone. All a raid in the Park would benefit them wouldn’t pay for the trou- ble.” ‘‘Pve ‘been inclined to think, I'rank,” said Fred Sears, ‘‘ that the cattlemen over in the Yellowstone are really uneasy, for they’ve been talking of moving their herds into the Galla- . ” n. ‘‘Oh, the red-skins will steal cattle at any time, Fred, and for that reason I suppose the herders want to get further from them. Gen- erals Custer and Reno are gt Fh a watch on old Sitting Bull, and the first ak he makes you'll hear of some lively music. But, Pll tell you: I believe that outlaw, Scott Dresden, is at the head of half of all the devilment accredited to the Indians. If Sitting Bull, the old fool, would scalp-him, he might not have any but his own sins to account for. Thus the conversation ran on until the first thing they knew it was noon; but Baby Sam had not Bh put in an appearance. Dinner was postponed an hour, but when one o’clock came the youth had not arrived, and so they ate their m and waited on. One, two, hours went by but they brought not the expected guide. Uneasiness now became plain a upon the faces of the girls, and at ] h Wilma, unable to restrain her feelings longer, said: | “Tam afraid something has happened him, nk. “Oh, fiddlesticks!” Re the brother, in his blunt, bluff way, “‘he’ll be , rest assured of that, Baby Sam’s old enc and I’m sure, big enough, to take care of himself. What does an hour or. two, or a -day for that matter, amount to? I didn’t expect he would be here on time to the very minute.” * But he thought he would get here ahead of y \ ‘Sup he did: he'll find out his— Hark! T'll bet that’s Sam coming now.” The clatter of = horse’s hoofs was heard com- ing down the valley, and ing to their feet the party ran to the edge of the grove and lanced up the pass down which they saw a bomenan riding, ata ee gallop. , Acry of joy burst from the lips, for they saw it was Baby Sam, and stepping out into plain view the men swung their hats above their | > te! i : , ‘. Dy on, 92 ae Se <a ~ oT = Ba Dy ie Sie Rt —_ heads and gave utterance toa shout. The Bo Giant answered them with a wave of his hand. A minute later the youth had reached the lake, and springing from his saddle advanced and shook hands with his friends; saying: ‘*Tam glad to see you all here, but am very sorry [ have kept you waiting. How do you all do?—how long have you been here?—have a pleasant journey ?” ‘‘Quite pleasant, indeed;” responded Frank Rodman, in his usual happy way; ‘‘ been here since ten o’clock and all’s well, and we are truly glad to see you, for some of our folks were get- ting a little restless.” ‘**[T am sorry, indeed,” replied the young moun- taineer, *‘ but Pll = the cause of my delay as soon as I put my horse out to grass,” To unsaddle his -ridden animal and tether it out required but a few minutes, when he turned and rejoined his friends by the lake, Samuel Burling, or as he was better known, Baby Sam, was a boy but nineteen years of age, and yet he stood fully five feet ten inches in hight. He was powerfully built, with a well- knit frame, square shoulders, deep chest, and a large, well-shaped head set on An athlete’s neck. His face was smooth and boyish, yet wore an expression indicative of force of character, cour- age and intelligence. His eyes were large and of a dark-gray color, his brow broad,.and his mouth, though rather large, was well-shaped “fea the most expressive feature of the attractive ace. He was dressed in a neat-fitting suit made after the style so pert to the ranchero of the western plains, He was armed with a Win- chester rifle, a large-sized revolver and a himt- ing-knife. Around his waist was a belt filled with rifle and revolver cartridges. Most of this boy’s life had been spent in the settlements of the Yellowstone and Gallatin valleys, When but twelve years old he was left an orphan in the care of a kind-hearted yet eccentric old bachelor uncle who divided his time between cattle-raising and hunting. The old man was very considerate of Sam’s welfare, and being a person of a fair education, he took great pains in teaching Sam, who soon obtained an excellent knowledge of the usual English branches. But the lad had always loved the monntains, and so became a hunter and trapper, and some years before Professor Hayden’s formal explo- ration of the Yellowstone Park, Baby Sam had seen rime ha ce, = of wonder and interest in the valley in his ramblings after game. Asa rifle and pistol-shot he had no equal in the valley, and as a cowboy he could handle the whip or lasso with consummate skill, and was, as well, a splendid and daring horseman. Dut the most remarkable thing about this Western Jad was his physical strength, Not a man among all the stalwart residents in the Gallatin was a match for him, and it was this prodigious goa» more than his stature that had given him the name of ith arma em ef es, 'm sorry you waiting even an hour,” repeated the young hill-haunter, ‘‘ but the boys and I got into trouble over in the Yel- lowstone. You see, we'd concluded to drive our cattle over to the Gallatin, and started, when we were attacked by about fifty Indians and ou **Oh, dear! dear!” cried the maidens, “Now, don’t get excited, girls,” the boy went on, ‘‘for remember all this occurred over one hundred miles from here; moreover, we frus- trated the Indians’ attempt to stampede our herd, and turned inand gave them a runnin fight for over half a day, and that is what ke me behind. In fact, had it not_been for t eg igs; ty asap agit hy been a y behind. Assoon as we got the herd across and struck out for the ox. pm left the boys it fo Mary’s . Now, I sup the next thing is to get over to yonder ‘Wilma Isle.” “Yes, we're ) Sam,” said Frank , ‘to hear your musical island give an evs e one ee | ‘But, Sam,” demurred a, thoughtfully, “‘ will it not be for us to oii into the valley if are making e was saying an a Indians,” Baby Sam replied; ‘* you’ll not have a moment’s enjoyment, Wilma, ['m afraid; but ou need have no fears. Vl go and see if I can find the canoe I left over a year ago round yon- der in a little cavern.” while gone the youn He hurried away, and g tourists made preparations for embarking to the But few minutes had elapsed when Sam re- turned with his boat, f ky “we v a ” = 4 Sey > a Be , aby Sam, the Boy Giant of the Yellowstone. eee ee . - —_—- —__- —_ — .. - ea “* It’s a small affair, folks,” he confessed, ‘‘ and will not carry over three persons, and, as it’s alwayp the ladies first, Pll take Wilma and 2 i to the island the first trip, and you boys next.” To this there was no objection; so taking their seats in the canoe Sam pulled out into the placid waters of the lake and paddled carefully to Wilma Isle. Assisting them to land the oung guide said, as he again took his seat in the oat: : ** Now, while I’m after the boys, you girls can reconnoiter the island and see that there are no bears around,” and ‘with a laugh, he dipped the paddle and glided out from the island, With a wave of her hand Wilma and Sarah turned and walked back among the dense pines that covered.the little island, while a few vigor- ous strokes carried the Boy Giant back to where Frank and Fred were waiting. ‘Pile in, boys,” he ordered; ‘Ill run you or ae over and then come back after our camp traps.” e two yuung men seated themselves in the boat, and the craft started on its return trip to the island; but: it had gone less:than ten rods when an exclamation burst from Fred Sears’s lips, and pointing downward alongside the boat, he said: ‘‘ A floater, by, smoke!”’ : e Baby Sam backed water with. his paddle and, gazing down at the object, beheld the lithe t ody of an Indian lying in the water—all but his face being Submerged; and around that some aquatic grass was tangled. Ataglance Sam saw that the Indian was alive, and recognized himasa | young Crow, known as, Sparrowhawk, a trne and faithful friend of his and the settlers of ths og rgine ‘Good gracious, Sparrowhawk! what are yor doing Reret whete . ? % The Indian shook his head, then said in broken | English; , | ‘Don’t talk loud—Siouw hear you !” **'W aat do you mean, Sparrowhawk?” ‘One, two—four—six Sioux Warriors hid on island—no go there—git killed—scalped—Spar- ~™ rowhawk come tell white friend quick he git | way out Sioux see A i nae By ‘“Can that be possible, Sam?” asked Frank Rodman. | | _“ That Indian is as true as steel, Frank; I ha- | lieve him.” ‘“ Great heavens! what will become of Wilma and Sarah?” asked Fred Sears. ; a Yes—they git in trouble,” declared the In: an. ‘ ‘Sparrowhawk, where did you come from?” questioned Sam. : ‘From island—lay in water by rock—Sioux close by—no git away till girls come to island— then Sioux slip into thicket—then me swim away—me friend to pale-face—me Crow—Sioux kill me if catch—go back—quick—they kill you!” “Sparrowhawk,” began Baby Sam, but be- fore he could finish the sentence a faint scream came to his ears from the island that tola him the girls were in trouble—that the young Crow had told the truth. “My God! what shall we do?” exclaimed Frank Rodman. The situation was indeed a critical one. Quick decision and prompt action were now required and dipping his paddle Baby Sam sent the oat back ro the shore. As he did so the young In- dian dove down into the water like a beaver, and disappeared from the sight of the trio: — , Sam led the way back into the out of sight of theisland. _ : “Boys,” he said, his voice and features be- tra his inward emotions, “our coming to this place has been anticipated by those red devils, By some means or other they have learned that we were to be here. I tell you there’s treac at the bottom of it.” ' J **No doubt of it, Sam, but who is the traitor?” queried Rodman. | “* Ah, who, indeed?” responded the Boy Giant. | CHAPTER It. ‘ sail Baby Sam, after : j ** Boys.” sai am, after a moment's si- lent reflection, “ this is a terrible state of af- fairs—a sad ending, or, rather beginning, of what had promised so much pleasure and en- _joyment to Wilmaand Sarah. But something’s got to be done; those girls must be rescued.” “‘Sam, what can we three do in the face of | six or elght ambushed savages? asked Frank an. ; “What can we do?” repeated the young giant, ; all the latent courage of his nature now fully aroused; ‘“‘we can die, Frank. 1 now propose ae going straight to that island—alone if no one % iv ‘ i ¥ ae @ * 7 ft - 4 a ae 2 q a & 1) . Kf . } ‘ 7 A > 3 « © a <2