Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 51 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

ee ee ee eee eee ae ee _ ‘wees _— oe oe eo 10 Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. entrance. In ten minutes it was done, and in so effectual a manner that twice that time would be necessary to undo the work. Occasionally a faint chorus of shouts would reach them from the out- side, but no other sign that the savages were near. A consultation was immediately held. It was thought best to leave at once by the other entrance. “Two of you can carry the things out and lower them, while I stay and watch and the other gets breakfast,’ suggested Ranty. ‘* We’ve got to eat, oukno'y. What do you say?” ‘*I think the plan admirable,”’ answered Albert. They at once proceeded to put it in execution. Twenty minutes passed, but the Indians made no attack. Then the party partook of the breakfast Will had prepared. ** Now then, every thing is ready for a move,”’ said Albert. ‘‘The things are all in a safe place below the ledge. Hark, what’s that?’’ “They are coming again, as sure as you’re born!” exclaimed Ranty. ‘‘ The old sinners! Look out!”’ It was spoken just in time. A volley came from the way, some of the balls finding entrance to the cavern between the interstices in the barri- e. The boys returned the salute, with better effect, and again the Indians beat a retreat, the counter- part of the first. “*I think it will be some time before they make another attempt,” said Albert. ‘* And the best thing bas do is to improve the opportunity to get a start.” They threaded the passages till they reached the outer cavern, and from the ledge descended, by way of the friendly tree, to the ground. It took them some time, having to move with the utmost caution after leaving the cave. **All safe?’’ asked Albert, as he glanced keenly around in the darkness. “All safe, and ready for mischief,’’ answered a: a any well; follow me, then, and step as light as e,”’ So saying, Arlington moved away in the darkness, followed closely by his three companions. Being impeded by the heavy load each carried, it was some time before they reached the spot where the canoe was kept concealed, and all felt considerably wearied, and were glad that it was no further. ‘** All whole, so far,”’ said Albert, with satisfaction. “ And now—’ He broke off abruptly. Stooping down, he had reached forth his hand, expecting to lay it upon the prow of the canoe, but it grappled empty space. He stooped still lower, and glanced under the overhang- ing pe PE om pene emt hn looki ; ; but the e glimme s of water bore no upon its surtace—whne diay looked for was not visible within e of their vision. " y all the kinks of ill-luck, boys!’’ exclaimed Al- bert, in a shrill whisper. ‘‘ The boat is gone!”’ CHAPTER XV. A NARROW ESCAPE. A wieut then would have shone upon four of the blankest faces that could be imagined. Each looked at the other in the darkness, the same thought in the minds of all. “Well, if here ain't a go!’’ exclaimed Ranty, at last, drawing a long breath. ‘‘ Now, what in the name of old Mytho , and the Greek deities, in general, are we to do? ‘* The first thing is, has some one taken it, or has it got Som and floated sy — cre ie a, “The very question I was abou propound,”’ added Will. “‘Let’s scatter out, and examine the bank,” sug- gested Fred. ‘*I don’t believe it could have gotten out of the cave without help, and in case it has broken its fastenings, we'll find it somewhere.”’ “An idea worth enlarging, practically,’ returned Ranty. And dividing, two went each way around the lagoon. ‘*Not on our side, at any rate,’’ remarked Albert, as they reached the spot where the water joined the river. ‘‘Perhaps Ranty and Will have had better success, but I hardly dare hope for it.”’ They retraced their steps, and had followed to the river on the other side before they met their com- anions. Their hearts had “ descended to their boot eels,’’ Fred said, when, to their surprise and satis- faction, they suddenly sata the shadowy out- lines of the canoe close to the bank of the river, and saw Ranty and Will seated therein, pushing it silent- ly up-stream. “Of all the good luck in the world, boys!” ex- ed Ranty, as the prow grated on the sand at the water’s e. “We found it eight or ten rods down, lodged on a tree that had fallen into the river and sunk, with one long limb sticking up, that caught it near the stern! If it wasn’t lucky, then I don't know what could be!” With light hearts, the ss hunters towed it into the cave, loaded in their accouterments, and pre- pared tostart. Albert being older and more experi- enced, took his place in the stern, to guide the craft, while the three boys ranged themselves along in good positions to use their paddles. And they push- ed off, and commenced floating down the s cur- rent of the river. They kept near the center of the stream, and the boat, impelled by the skillful paddlers and the cur- re fairly seemed to fly. ‘*Boys,”’ said Ranty, when they had been afloat twenty minutes or half an hour, “it’s coming day- ligns. See there?’ and he pointed his dripping pad- e to where a faint streak of light was visible in the eastern horizon. ‘*That comes from having to fuss around so long,” responded Will, giving his paddle an energetic flop —_—----— -— SL into the water. ‘‘We ought to have been ten miles away now.” The light streak widened rapidly; and soon the gray dawn spread over river and forest, and the morning was fairly begun. “They are using some forcible language back at the cave about now,” said Albert, looking = the river. ‘‘I presume to say they are as mad a lot of Savages, as could readily gotten together on so short a notice.” ‘*T hope the wrath,” added Will. be estimated. What if there should be fifteen or twenty of the imps along the river bank somewhere, and should pepper away at us as we are going down. I reckon there would be some lively times.” The party scanned the banks closely. They were won’t burst a blood-vessel in their | | very high on one side, eg from the water's edge | and covered with cedar, hemlock and pine, to their very summit, nearly a hundred feet above. On the other side, for one or two hundred yards back, was a low(flat, covered with a dense growth of butternut, hickory, and the like, then the bank arose similar to the other side. These banks and flats alternated every half mile, or less, and with such regularity as to keep a bank and flat opposite each other on their respective sides. rom the high bank an enemy could have found perfect concealment, and been in command of the river. The boys knew this, and held themselves ready to act onthe instant should it be necessary. ‘I’ve twisted my neck to watch, till it’s crooked worse than any crane’s ever was," declared Will, resting his paddle on the edge of the boat. ‘‘ Indians or no Indians, I vote we stop and rest, and get some- thing to eat. It’s ten’oclock.” **] second the motion,’’ responded Ranty, prompt- ly, ee up his oar. All felt the need of food and rest, as they had been paddling steadily for several hours, and so, at a suit- able point, the canoe was turned shoreward. It was a beautiful spot where they landed. While the others pre something to refresh the “inner boy,”’ Albert decided to climb the bank, and take a look at the country. He took what is termed in hunter parlance a ‘“*hog’s-back,”’ a long ridge that sloped from the very water’s edge, and was not as steep as the bank on either side of it. Reaching the top of this, he halted to take breath, and look about him. A splendid country spread out before him. A lain came to within a few yards of the timber-lined ank, covered with rich grass and occasional patches of trees, while away beyond arose a chain of moun- tains, their tops looking hazy and blue in the dis- tance, Not a living thing was in sight; all was peaceful and quiet, and the feeling, whic the entire absence of any signs of Indians, since starting, had formed, this quiet scene seemed to increase. “IT don't believe there is an enemy within a dozen — of here. I feel as though there wasn’t, at east 7 At that instant a s+ crackling in the under- a startled him. He glanced quickly that way. e noise continued, and while he was wondering what it could be, a huge bear came lumbering out, and started along as if to descend the bank. His first thought was to let the animal go, as the report of his gun might attract any savages who were in the neighborhood. But so sure was he that there were none near, that he at last decided to run the risk, and shoot the bear. By this time the animal had gotten nearly past him, and had halted an instant at the brow of the bank. Evidently he scented danger, for he was look- ing directly at our hero, and the first motion the lat- ter made toward raising his gun to his face, the bear saw, and, with a snort, started swiftly along. Albert fired at him on the jump. The huge ani- mal let out a loud snarl, and giving a tremendous leap, disappeared over the bank. The instant he fired, Albert started toward him. He heard the crashing of the brush in his downward course, and ee hing the spot where he had stood, peered eager- y over. The bank was very steep. Albert could not see the bear, but the waving of the tops of the under- wth showed him his course. He was half-way to e water's edge. r shot that time,” he “Tam afraid I made a soliloquized. “If he would only run over the boys they would make a finish of him, but he is going too farto the left to strike them. I believe he intends crossing the river. If he does, there will be a chance to get him yet!” Struck with this last thought, Albert started up. At the same instant the heavy crack of a musket broke the silence, and with a groan, he fell forward, and the next moment he was crashing through the brush that lined that steep, precipitous bank! ~ ‘Hark!’ exclaimed Ranty, stopping the wiper half way up in the rifle, and resting his hand on the cap. ** Wasn't that Albert’s gun?” ‘Nothing shorter, as sure as you're born!"’ cried Way * t can he be shooting at? He said he thought it best not to use firearms unless absolutely necessary. And here he is setting the example him- self.”’ “Perhaps it was necessary,” gested Fred. “But it can’t be that he has run a-foul of reds, or we should hear more.” But while they were talking, a second report came, but not such a one as the first. While that was the whip-like crack that denoted the rifle, this was a broad, heavy report; unmistakably that of a smooth- bet Something boys!”’ cried Ranty, j ‘Some up, boys!” ¢ y, jer the wiper, and hastily inserting a couple out car- tridges in the empty barrels. “Never mind the coo —_ Grab your revolvers, and come on!” A wild yell of triumph, a yell that could come oe none but an Indian’s throat echoed from above, *“ Indians!"’ cried Fred. “Tumble up!’ roared Ranty. The advice was superfluous. Both Fred and Will were rushing up the steep bank like a tornado. The shouts from above continued, and seemed to come nearer. Suddenly Ranty stumbled over some- ‘The loss to society couldn’t | thing, and the next instant a strange cry broke from his lips. ‘It’s Albert, and he’s killed!” ~ — Albert oo or oa eG lay upon his back on the grassy bank, bare-headed, his face cove with blood and di:t. nitrite The boys stood an instant as if struck suddenly dumb. A crackling of the undergrowth, and a wild yell aroused them, and broke the spell. Two savages on the bank, had ee ae them. ‘You smutty villains!’ yelled Ranty in a rage. “We'll fix you!”’ : v- i Their rifles leaped to the shoulders of the three boy hunters with one accord, and three pair of grief- stricken, revengeful eyes glanced along the shi barrels. The savages saw the motion, and witha loud shout, one of them leaped behind a range of trees, that completely concealed him from view. The other endeavored to follow his example but it was toolate! Three heavy reports suddenly broke on the air, so close together that they blended into one, and with a spasmodic clutch at his naked breast, the savage reeled backward, and was dead before he fell. With another howl, this time of defiance, Ranty sprung up the bank. But the other Indian had made good his escape. The three gathered around their prostrate com- penne and silently and tenderly, Fred lifted his The motion brought a groan from the insensible form. “He ain’t dead!” cried Ranty, in a transport. ‘‘Oh hallelujah!” and a moment after he was tearing like a lunatic down the bank to a little stream, where he hastily filled his cap with water. When he returned two minutes later, Albert was sitting up, wiping the blood from his face. “All right, Ranty,”’ he said with a little laugh as he noticed his white, scared face. ‘“‘I’m not hurt any to speak of, and no bones broken. But I'll take the water to help me get off this blood and dirt. That’sit. You look like a ghost.” “Well, I guess you would,” said Ranty. “M heart goes hip-i-ta- oS yet. I thought you was d and pretty near buried. I won't be in such a hurry next time.’’ And Ranty sat down on a root to re- cover breath. “Don’t, and I can assure you I am as good as half a dozen dead men yet,’’ replied Albert, as he arose to his feet and examined his bruises more care- y. But not a wound was on his porecss save a gash over his left temple inthe edge of the hair. An ex- amination of this showed it had been done by a very small bullet. ‘“*“A buck-shot more like,” corrected Will yr at it closely. ‘You can see itis cut smooth, If had been a bullet from a grooved rifle, it would have torn, because it would have gone whirling. And it wasn't a rifle that we heard either.” This proved correct, for on the body of the dead Indian was a pouch of buck-shot, and some birch bark stripped very fine, for wadding, while beside him lay an empty musket. ‘He has gone to his last account,” said Ranty, as they examined him. “It is no morethan right. He intended to kill Albert, and would us, if he could.” It was almost a miracle that the fall had not killed Arlington. He had slid and rolled several yards down the steep bank, stopping at last on the little level spot, where his companions had found him. “‘Tremember nothing after thinking I would start down the bank after the bear, except a sudden blindness, and a terrific shock. The next I recollect, was when oS i picked me up,”’ he said, in answer to es. their inqu They scoo a shallow grave in the soft bank and buried the dead savage. Three ghastly holes in his breast showed that every bullet fired had taken effect. Though an sey: e three boys og St, io ened his limbs, and laid him reverently in his last resting-place. They were not enough accustomed to death to look upon it without awe, and hardly a word was spoken till the grave was filled, Then they returned to their camping spot. Albert’s wound was nothing serious. Ranty rum- maged diligently among a lot of “ extraneous mat- r r’ in his knapsack, consisting of scraps of buck- skin, strings, tangled fish-lines, and a half-a-dozen loose cartridges that had spilled from a bursted case, and fished out therefrom, a roll of salve. Meanwhile, Will had prepared some bandages with which they were supplied, and when the wound was nicely dressed Albert declared he felt as good as new.”’ After they had finished dinner, Ranty avowed his intention of following along the river a few rods, to see if he could find any signs of the bear Albert had shot; while the rest put their camp equipments in the boat. He had n gone but a few minutes, when they heard him shout, and going up, found him besic e the dead bear. “You see he couldn't get any further,” said Ranty, pulling away at one of the monstrous hind legs in a vain endeavor to roll the animal upon his back. ‘See where the bullet went in? ht there <b side of his neck. Wasn't so bad a shot after JOO (ECON AMINCE cS (EO) ————— —