Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 422 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

—sumever, I’ve hear — eel a 7 one ere ee ee ee ee ee ee oe eee a ee ee ae oe. ee + ee romantic beauty and grandeur cf the place. It | boats hev been seen skippin’ ’round over the ‘was at a time, too, when the autunimal hues cf dilac and gold tinted the landseape and touched into a richer beauty the wonders of Wonder- land. . Two of the three men wero bordermen; their | dress and general appearance were evidence of | this fact. The eldest was a man of fifty years —of rather small proportions, with a keen, gray eye, a bearded face, anda prominent nose that was truly indicative of the Roman courage of | Old Spokane Joe, tie hunter, trapper and | guide. He was dressed in a full suit of buck- | skin, and carried a revolver and hunting-knife | in his belt. The second man was Henry Rodman, a scttler of the Gallatin valley, and the father of rank - and Wilma, between whom and Old Spokane Joe there existed a fellowship warm and devoted as though bound by the ties of blood—a fellow- ship and attachment at which those who knew not the secret of their bond of union often mar- veled. In general appearance Mr. Rodman was a tall, finely-proportioned man, with an intelli- | gent face and a pleasant, affable disposition. The third man was Professor Anson Drood, a | | Jake like specters in the moonlight, and that the I ‘eports of rifles hev been heard ringin’ through the Park, but no rifleman could be found; but Bay. folks; by the eternal—” lis speech was here interrupted by the sound of footsteps, and turning, the three men found themselves face to face with a stranger who had approached unseen. The new-comer wasa man of perhaps five- and-forty years of agea little above the me- dium hight, with a cold, steel-gray eye that flashed quick and furtive glances around. Mis hair was closely cropped, but his face was cov- ered with a long, full beard that had faded in the sun to a dirty reddish color. He was dressed in tho blue shirt, gray pants, high-top- ped boots and slouched hat of a miner. He wore a heavy belt in which hung a revolver and knife. Hegave his name as Donald Strahm, and his business as a mining prospector. At the sound of his voice Old Spokane Joe started, for in it was a familarity that recalled a voice of long ago. He glanced at the miner’s face and form, and even there he saw some- thing vaguely in harmony with the voice. But vi eg agent of the Government, sent out by | the man’s name and the man’s calling finally the Secretary of the Interior, to make some j convinced him that he was mistaken, and that further geological researches in the great Park. the familiar tone was simply a coincidence—one Being a former friend of Henry Rodman’s in | of those often occurring in the life of a person the East, he sought out his old acquaintance in | the Gallatin, and through him secured the ser- _ vices of Old Spokane as a guide, as well as Mr. Rodman as a companion, At the time we introduce these three men they had been in camp there since the previous day, and it was their intention to remain a day or two longer, or, at least, until Baby, Sam, Frank and Wilma Rodman, Fred Sears and Sarah Marshall had joined them, as had been arranged between the two parties some two weeks previous—the time at which the explor- ing party had left the settlement. d Spokane had been in the Park many times before, but to Henry Rodman and Professor Drood the scene was new and far beyond their conception of romantic grandeur, Standing by the lake they could see the cold, gray mountain peaks that pierced the sky reflected in the azure depths of the water. They could see scores of little islands that.seemed bursting with vegeta- tion scattered over the bosom of the placid sheet. They could see thousands of aquatic fowls aay 4 the silvery surface of the water, or winging their way along the shores. The eoulda see the snow-white steam from the boil- ing springs along close to the lake’s rim, rising between them and the sun, whose reflected rays arched each vapory column with a beautiful rainbow. They could faintly hear the rumble of the great geysers in the distance, and all the while these sights and sounds were enjoyed in an atmosphere that seemed pervaded with a sweet, intoxicating que that conspired to make the place a land of enchantment.’ ‘“‘Tll declare,” said Professor Drood for the ‘twentieth time, perhaps, ashe gazed around him, “*this is certainly the most wonderful spot on God’s earth. Eden’s garden could not have been more lovely, even with theserpent leftout. It’s Strange, indeed, that the Indians prefer the cold, cheerless shadows of the mountain defiles for their villages to this lovely valley, where sunshine, fish and game are so abundant.” ‘‘[t’s superstition, perfessor,” answered Old Spokane Joe, the guide, ‘that keeps the red varlets from defilin’ this valley with their dirty wigwams and lousy dogs and _pappooses, though huntin’-parties often come in and hunt for days Them Dilin’ springs and‘ roarin’, pantin’ geysers, their traditions say, are the es- cape-holes o’ the wrath o’ the Evil Spirit, and so they have no desire to live within the sound ©’ his Satanic Majesty’s voice.” ‘*Tt’s a good thing for the Park they think so,” thought the geologist; ‘* but I do wish we had a canoe here. I should like to visit yonder little islands that seem bursting, like cotton-pods with the fullness of their vegetation. But i say, Henry, take this glass, examine that little island away off yonder, and tell me what you see, _ Mr. Rodman took the glass, and after care- iusv scanning the island for several minutes, he e: claimed: “By St. ?eter! Anson, I see what appears to be the roof ©*,a cabin among the bushes on that island.” ‘yas exactly what 1 saw,” declared ‘“ That Drood. ‘* It msg be,” observed Old Spokane, ord he, too, tovk the glass; ‘ye see 1 havn't been in this Park for de come next June; how- , that: myster’ous little sail- | } , in which the sound of a voice, or the sight of an object, recalis some familiar face or scene that has lain dormant in memory’s casket for years, * Well, Mr. Strahm,” said the professor, after a ceneral introduction, ‘‘I am glad to have met you, andhope you can report success in your ah gic “I regret tosay that I can make no such re- port, professor,” Strahm replied, with an air of disappointment and disgust. ‘‘ This Wonder- land is a most gigantic fraud. All’s not gold that glitters here, by any means. Nature expended so lavishly on her majestic moun- tains, yawning canyons, grand waterfalls, stu- pendous geysers, and wonderful scenery, that she had to embellish with the cheapest of jew- elry. There isn’t an ounce of gold or silver in all this boasted Park, but when it comes to sulphur-beds, volcanic glass, cheap petrifica- tions, rainbows, hot mud and boiling water, itll take the rag off the bush the wide world over. You see, gentlemen, there’s no romance in my composition, consequently I can’t live on warm water and rainbows, and I am now fully prepared to denounce the Yellowstone Park as a more gigantic fraud than the Garden of Eden ever was,’ Although the three men did not share the miner’s opinion of the Park, they could not help laughing at his indignation and disgust. ou are not here in the Park alone, are you, Mr. Strahm?’ Professor Drood finally asked, ‘‘ No, sir,” he replied; ‘‘I left a friend in the mountains about ten miles from here, and he’s absolutely sick at heart, head and stomach of this Fraudland. I think this will be our last day here, for you see we’re not here for health, but wealth. But, gentlemen, as it is gettin late, I will have to leave you, with my bes wishes,” . ** Can't you remain overnight with us, Mr, Strabm?” Hemry Rodman asked, ‘No, thank you, I promised my friend I’d be back, and I’m afraid he’ll commit suicide if I don’t keep my word. He’s a badly broke-up miner, and’s been threatening to spoil a geyser by throwing himself into the crater. Again wishing you a pleasant sojourn in Fraudland, ntlemen, I bid you good-evening !” With this, Donald Strahm took his departure, and Henry Rodman noticed that Old Spokane Joe watched his retreating figure with knitted brows and compressed lips, like one absorbed in deep mental reflection. ** What do you think of him, anyhow, Spoky?” the settler finally queried. “Oh!” exclaimed the guide, with a sudden start, ‘I reckon he’s all right; but he’s terrible sick o’ this kentry.” ; ‘*He pretended to be,” said Professor Drood, ‘but he acted to me a good deal like a fellow telling a lie, and as I claim to be a judge of bu- man naturo, I think you'll find I’m not far from correct, Ten to one he has struck it rich, and is uneasy for fear we may, in some way, run in on him.” “ Say, folks,” suddenly called out Old Spo- kane, as he glanced out over the lake, ‘‘ whar’s that island with the hut on’t gone? Tl sw’ar I don’t see it, and I war jist goin’ to remark when Strahm come up that the island war movin’,” To the surprise ape astonishment of Drood é aby Sam, the Giant of the Yellowstone of the babe I intrusted to your your wifes care years ago when you resided on the Platteim it ~ wan } saw that the island 78 and Rodman th really disappeared from where they had first © seen it, nor could it be seen anywhere upon the lake, ‘*By heavens!” exclaimed Mr. Rodman, ‘*that’s queer. Idon’t understand it, professor. Surely, floating islands can’t form a part and parcel of the wonders of Wonderland?” ‘Tt really looks as though they did, Tlenry,” responded Drood. ‘*May a grizzly hug me, if I ever heard o’ sich a thing before!” declared Old Spokane. ‘** Reckon it couldn’t ‘a’ been a phantom island, eh, men?” and the old hunter broke into a low chuckle that was not enirely the spirit of mirth. ‘** It’s something that must be inquired into,” decided the professor. ‘“‘Ah! look off there, men, aud you'll see our floating island, sure enough, moving with the wind toward the western shore.” | True enough; with the aid of the glass, they saw the little island floating out from among @ cluster of fixed islands, and moving slowly west- ward. They could see the comb of the cabin upon it, and as they stood regarding it in silent amazement, Old Spokane remarked: ‘*Men, ’m goin’ to make a reconncissance *round that way and look into that thing. Mr. Rodman, I'd like to speak with you a moment, before I go, please. Professor, excuse us.” Certainly,” replied Drood, as he continue¢ watching the floating island, Rodman followed Old Spokane out into the bushes. The latter seemed a little restless and uneasy. ‘‘ Henry,” he said, in a low tone, ‘‘ I’m a little troubled.” ‘* What about, Joe?” ‘That man Strahm.” ‘*In what respect?” ‘*T solemnly believe he is Norton Fenwick.” What?” and it was Rodman’s turn now to betray uneasiness; ‘‘not the man’ who left the child in your care?” ‘*The very same. I thought I recognized his voice the moment he spoke, although it’s been nigh onto fourteen years since I see’d him— since he came to our cabin and gave into my and my wife’s care that little lump o’ humanity that has since made your life so bright, Mr. Rodman, My Lord, Henry! if it is so, we can’t give up our idol now, can we?” ‘*No, no, Spokane, never; but if that was Fenwick, I feel sure he did not recognize + Aen If he did, however, and played ignorance, he has got a clew and is following you up. You know was lying. some further light on the matter,” ‘* That’s what I thought,” returned Spokane; ‘so, if you'll look after our hosses if I don’t git back afore dark, I'll be off.” * All richt, Spokane, all right,” The cld guide moved rapidly away, and Rod+ man went out to see about their horses, for evening was fast 2 ahaa Keeping well under cover of the ccnse pine timber i pen hurried along the lake, He proceed nearly three miles when he « oncluded.. e must be nearing the vicinity of the island,, and so turned and moved cautiously toward ther ake. He had gone but a few paces, however, when a voice hailed him from behind, and turning quickly he found himself face to face with the miner, Donald Strahm, who a red whom were Indian warriors | THE MYSTERIOUS BENRAYMOND, Strahm extended his hand, saying: “Ah! we meet again! Good-evening, Jack Prunty.” Spokane started at the mention of that name, but ey recovering his presence of mind, re- sponded: ** Why d’ye call me that, strar ger?” | he Don't oan know me, Jack?” Strahm asked, in peperee surprise. ‘‘ No,” replied the hunter, though he evaded the truth, fully satisfied now, by the man’s looks and the presence of bis co ed frie that oe tery ad confronted him with mischief in his “Then,” said the pretended miner, ‘I will tell you who Iam; I am Aphis Fenwi hy Te = z:.lUlt<“C~*~*~S” ¥ ' (ee | | | | ( “ " : SOLS RE EES et PEL oe" Ee o. e professor said he believed the fellow . But that floating island may throw | from @ cluster of bushes in which the quick eye of the ~ old hunter caught sight of several men, most of — CHAPTER V. n ADVANCING toward Spokane Joe, Donald! \