Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 51 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

making light of other pecmies troubles, ain’t much and he —— —— - —- ——- to my fancy either,” made @ grimace at Fred, who was hing himseif into a sideache at the comical picture he had presented. But the night was waning Space, and the balance of the company took pattern by the example Ranty had set, and soon all was quiet inside the sycamore, CHAPTER X. THE UNDERGROUND CAMP. THE first gray light of the early dawn found the boys astir. hile one superintended the breakfast, the balance were busy packing up their equipments in snug shape to carry. “This makes me think o’ one time I moved,” said old Abe Anderson, rolling up a blanket with a camp frying-pan for a center piece. ‘‘ You see they war a lot of us, up on Bridger’s Fork, when one night the pesky reds stole every hoof we had. Good L« you'd orter heard the boys swear! Soon’s daylight peeped, every feller war ready for bizness; when long come ‘bout fifty Injins, mustang-mounted, and they jist lit on us, an’ we hed to skedaddle for cover. Then the pesky brutes would gallop out of sight, an’ when we'd make a break, up they'd come ag’in. Then we'd make a stand an’ fight, and back they’d go! And that’s the way them varmints worked it an’ them fellers what stole our hosses, eed off further every minit. They wa’n't only half-a-dozen of us, but we could have chawed a hundred ins right up, if we could have got to’em! But bless yer gizzard! They war mounted, an’ we wa’n't, an’ they wa’n't nary git there! We war all so mad that we turned black and blue all over! An’ then we come a little stratagem, an’ cornered a few on ‘em an’ got some hosses, an’ then we’s fer gittin’ ou after the fellers what stole our hoofers, an’ then we happened ter think if we left our camp-stuff the other Indians would git it! Oh Lord! but whata time we had!’ ‘“‘What did you do?’ asked Ranty, as he served up the meat. “Dory I reckon, you done somethin’, if you’ our valuables, stra ‘em fast to our mustangs, and moved, bag e! An’ mebbe we didn’t do it afore a jack rabbit could whisk his tail! He wouldn’t have got it mor’n half round, sure / That’s the beauty of not havin’ much housekeepin’ stuff; you can move in a hurry.” “Did you get your horses?’ Albert asked, as the old hunter paused to look lovingly at a slice of steak. “Be I a-eatin’ this "ere meat?” returned the trap- per, as he began a rapid “‘jaw-attack’’ upon the ste ak. “ Yes,” he continued, as he finished it, and leaned back with a satisfied sigh. ‘*We got our horses, but we had a hard run.” They were all ready to start, at last. Each one had a goodly bundle, and the trapper had the st of all. Ranty led them tow the cave he had found, in as direct a route as possible. “Tt seems to me,”’ remarked Albert, as they filed along, each keeping a sharp look-out for any signs of an enemy, “ hat there must be some other way to get into the cave, besides climbing that tree. Did you explore it any, to see what kind of a place it 99? was, Ranty? “Not muck replied Ranty, shifting his load so it would pull on the other shoulder. “I happened to see the ledge, as I come along, and the tree was so close I took a notion to climb up, and see how it looked. And when I got up there, I found the cave, It must be quite big, for it looked darker than a pocket. I didn’t care about examining the thing alone, so I thought I'd wait till we were all together. ut I'll just bet it’s a capital place.” You remember, Fred, what a rough, rocky hill there is over it? The one we went around when we come upon the Indians the morning they got Ranty? Perhaps there’s an opening somewhere on the top of that.” ¥ cfs. “We'll soon see,” said Ranty, “shedding” his pack upon the ground, “for here we are.” “Where else could we be, I'd like to know?” was r, you'd ’a’ thought we nthere! We packed up . the trapper’s pertinent query, as he, too, deposited Papon't nd. ty houg his load upon the grou *ve often t like ter be able ter be in two places to once, but I never could, yit. Good Lord! have we got to climb that?” For Ranty had doffed his cap, and was climbing, with the agility of a squirrel, up to the ledge. ‘*I think there ought to at least two of us re- main on 1 ge be here,” said Albert, looking inquir- ingly at the hunter. “In case any savages should come along, we would be in a bad box.” “Spuken like an oracle,” returned old Abe, ap- prone. “A feller always wants ter be on the safe side in case of happenstances, which are som’at common, if not more so, in Ingin kentry. J'U stay fer one.” “And I, for another,’’ said Will. “So you can ‘ascend this noble monarch of the forest’‘as soon as you like.”’ , “Tumble up!’ roared Ranty, thrusting his head over the edge of the ledge. “Pare off the north-west corner of your voice or you'll have all the Ingins in the country atop of us,’ admonished Abe. Albert now commenced the ascent, followed closely by Fred. ‘“ We'll be off a_bit, an’ if any Ingins puts in an ap ce, ve'll let °em chase us @ piece, so you come down,” called the hunter, as the two reached the ledge. “Now,” said Ranty, “to explore this wonderful and magnificent underground. apartment, which the mysterious hand of nature hath wrought. Where's the torch?” ought I'd — a The Boy Rifles. “Here,” responded Albert, producing and light- ing, one of several which he had prepared. ‘And don’t ‘drift away on the flowery paths of rhetoric’ too much. It may turn out less magnificent than you think,”’ ‘* Ticket number one!" exclaimed Ranty, enthusi- astically, as they entered the cavern through a nar- row aperture, that opened from the ledge. ‘Now what have you got to say?” Albert held the torch high above his head, and allowed the light to flash around the apartment. It was about a dozen feet —_ and wide, and nearly double that in length, and walls, floor and ceiling were solid rock. *‘ Epluribus!”’ cried Fred. ‘‘If this isn’t just the ace, then where will you find it? Move along, and et’s see what this is.”’ From the oppor end of the room, an irregular passage led off into the darkness, and wide enough, some of the way, for two to walk abreast. Through this the boys passed, and soon emerged into another cavern similar to the first. But from this, passages led in every direction, and some of them wide enough to form small irregular rooms. Upright pil- lars of rock, and sharp corners jutting out from the walls, or guarding turns, were everywhere, and the pensngts were constantly uniting and diverging, till t seemed as if the whole bank was fairly honey- combed. “I vote we follow this ‘lead,’ sugges : indicating a passage that led a little up from where they were. ‘It seems to go straight ahead, and may, eventually lead out somewhere. Hello! what's this?’ They had been advancing along the “ monarch’s oi as Ranty facetiously terthed it, when they suddenly came upon what appeared almost like a flight of stairs. ere were no steps, but the rock was rough and uneven, and formed a secure foot- ted Fred ing. f I guess you wish you hadn’t said anything about my cave, now,” said Ranty, triumphantly, as he clambered over a bowlder, that reared itself in the very center of the stairs. “If you can get up any better cave than this, on so short a notice, I'd like to see you do it, that’s all!’’ “We'll own right up, Ranty,’’ said Arlington, la ye 3 *‘ It’s a fabulous place without mistake.” “Hark!” exclaimed Fred, suddenly, A subdued murmur came to their ears, distant, yet a ge distinct. ‘That must be water!” said Albert, as they ad- vanced. ‘Look ont that you don’t step upon no- thing before you know it,’’ he continued, to Ranty, who was walking ahead as if for a wager. ‘No fear dwells within this breast!” nded Ranty, in a tragic voice. ‘‘ My reputation is at stake, to produce a good cave here, and it must be done at all hazards. Halt!” " matey hat’s up now, most degenerate youth?” asked ‘‘Hurrah!”’ shouted Ranty, making a grab for his my, wave, but suddenly remembering that it wasn’t “there.” ‘* Daylight, as sure as you live!” With one accord the three rushed forward, and the next moment stood in a spot resembling a dis- used cellar, with the blue sky above their heads, and the murmur of the trees sounding pleasantly in their ears. For a moment there was a total silence, as the boys looked about them. ** Well,” said Albert, at last, “if we had planned this ourselves, I doubt if we would have been as well suited with it as we are now. But the next thing is: Can we get back?” ‘‘ Let’s climb up, and go ’round,” suggested Ranty. “Tt can’t be far. After a little deliberation, iy. conceded to do so, but after fifteen minutes’ “investigating,” they found that they were not likely to “climb out” so easily as they had expected. The top of the hill, where ges were, was so piled with rocks, and was + steep, that it was impossible to descend in any ace. “This is the only available spot I can see,” said Albert, clambering upon a huge bowlder and look- ing over. ‘If we could once pass this, I think we could manage to descend; but it is too high to jump from, and we have nothing by which we could let ourselves down.” “See here!” exclaimed Ranty, ‘‘The bowlder is smaller at the bottom, and here is a flattish stone that fills the space between it and the rock. I believe if we could move this, we could craw] through.” The three exerted their strength upon it, and to their satisfaction, succeeded in moving it. It left an opening Sy | two feet square. ‘* Plenty of room,” was the information Ranty vol- unteered, as he passed through. ‘And I think the rest will be easy.” It proved so; and making the descent, without dif- ficulty, they, in five minutes, stood on the brow of the precipice overlooking the spot where they had left their friends. “Hey? Wal, by thandarl” and aia Ave cppenred e y thunder!” and o ap from the copsewood, and gazed in astonishment at the forms of the trio ranged along tie cliff. How in ’tarnel Jerusalem did you fellers git up there, I'd like to know?” he continued, coming up to the foot of the tree, with Will. “’Pears to me you must have found a way through.”’ “We did,” returned rye prom . “And it’s a capital place, too, I can Sw up a little closer, old tree! I want to go down.” ‘Hold on!"’ exclaimed Fred, “ you can’t go down that! You'll break your neck.” ‘ Will, eh? you wait and see,” was Ranty’s reply, and an instant after he had caught one of the top- most limbs of the tree that reached above the preci- —- a mm — —— oe - -—iC—C — —_ 7 pice, and sliding down it to the body, rapealy de- scended it tiJl he stood on the ground beneath. ‘*Drat my moccasins, youngster, if you ain’t some on the climb!” exclaimed old Abe, admiringly. “You'd make yer fortin in a circus! Throw up trap- pin’ an’ huntin’, an’ go an’ jine!”’ “Oh, you can make fun of my climbing,” returned Ranty, “‘but I guess you wo *t if you had seen me when I was young!” ‘““Fun? Good Lord, youngster! I hadn’t the remo- test idee of it! Sure’s you’re born! No,” continued 4 the old trapper, in a philosophical strain, leaning his elbows on his rifle, which lay across his knees, ‘*T never make fun of anybody; it’s ag’in’ my princi- ples. I knew a feller, though, once— Hello!” ** We thought, seeing Ranty set us an exam- ple, that we would take the shortest cut,”’ lained Albert, as the trapper broke off suddenly in dls- course, to glance at them as they struck frra rma. ‘*And accordingly here we are,” concluded Fred. They then proeneton to give the hunter and Will a detailed account of their discoveries. . The former gave it as his opinion that it would be the very spoi ve wanted. ‘**] war a stranger an’ you took me in,’ you know, an’ as I’ve kinder took a likin’ fer ye all, want ter see ye safely settled afore I say good-by,”’ concluded old Abe, producing a strong cord from about. his shoulders. ‘‘So, I'll see ye housekeepin’, an’ then I'll moch-aw, as the Ingins say.” Three of the party now ascended the tree, to the ledge, taking with them the cord. Once up there, one end of the cord was lowered, the packages fastened to it by those below, and so, one after another, the blankets, camp utensils, ammunition, and extra equipments were drawn safely up, and last, but not least, the provisions, including the remains of the buck Albert had shot the day before. Then the re- mainder of the party clambered up. They conclud- ed to take the front cavern for their main use. It was quite difficult of access, would not be likely to be discovered by the Indians, and they could use the ‘‘ back entrance ”’ for coming and going, if they thought best. And in case the Indians should dis- cover them, they could retreat at the opposite en- trance, and get away safe. It was nearly noon before everyth was com- Rees to their satisfaction. Meanwhile, some of he party had discovered a shorter way to the opening on the hill, and had brought in a good supply of wood with which to make a fire. And it was as hungry, happy, and contented a lot of boy hunters, as ever was, that gathered about the steaming coffee, and hot venison steaks. Rs in - only — Ae wet now, ee ee osses, eo ‘apper, as he away at the delicious fluid in Mis cup, while his honest face beamed all over with the good-nature that was characteristic of him. “I’ve got one what. és one, 5 on @ little creek further towards the fort. An’ he'll be tickled nigh about tew death, too, when I git back.” “We fully intended to have some,” replied Al- bert. “But we nearly gave up coming, when all ready, and then, when we finally decided to come, we no intention of getting so far away. We “t iat Gon ag ed to strike th ought seem e the trapper and he was evidently about to speak, but aed himself, on second thought. “Wal, boys, keep a sharp look-out for Ingin,” was his parting advice, an hour later. “I’ve a powerfui likin’ tew ye all an’ ye mustn't be s’prised if ye see me pokin’ in ameae ye ag’in some day, / shouldn’t be surprised myself.’ “If you have ‘taken a liking’ to us, so have we to you,” returned Albert with a laugh. “ And rest assured, that whenever you can pay us a visit you will be doubly welcome. So come often and sty it littie d d either of them dream, u e did either of them as they shook hands with the old hunter, under what vc ces would be their next meeting. CHAPTER XL A PAIR OF HEROINES. Ir was a moment fraught with the keenest peril, to the two brave girls crouching there in the dark: ness, their eyes intently fixed on the forms of ‘the stealthily pomaese savages. Trembling with ex- citemen 0 gras her revolver tighter, deter- mined, like the brave little amazon that she was, to fight to the “last gasp’ before submitting he a prisoner, for it seemed impossible, now, to avoid a collision with the savages. With lightning rapidity, Madge tried, in her mind, to devise some means of escape. They might sibly creep away in the darkness uno without their horses they would stand but chance of escaping eventually. But to stay where they were, would be only giving themselves into the ee ed hands, while a bold p might poets result in their escape. By springing upon their horses, they ht e the savages so by surprise, that in the ess they could elude them. was on the eve of this plan into operation, when a low voice, which she recog- nized as their false guide's, said something in the In- dian dialect, and instantly the file of savages, now not more than ten yards distant, turned a little to the left in their course, and passing the shining back- ground of water, were instantiy lost to view. ‘* Now, Flo!” cry sy Madge, excitedly, but low, ‘Spring upon your horse, and keep close to me. It is our only chance.” An instant after the two girls were in the saddle. But before their horses had stirred from their tracks, a warning cry arose from the direction in which the savages were. Goim ElNOOKS — _ CO