Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 542 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

—— es he . ino! « — os “a r » i “4 Py “ .. a. 5 - % *] at by? <j - AW pa. = ~s ‘ as, pan.ons, and reposing the highest trust in them’ sooa expressed a desire for sleep, und accord- inziy withdrew into the tent to secure the coveted repose, Of which she had lately been in such need, Hor a few moments Jack and the guide sciosed in silence, each eeupied with his own thoughts, when suddenly the latter spoke: “« Jack, don’t you b’lieve this chap that the cook sed he see’d has suthin’ ter do with the gang that captured the lady?” ras just thinking of that myself,” was the rejoinder; ‘‘ but unless I mistake, we will soon learn, for there is some one coming.” As he spoke he lazily pointed over the south- ern plain. Scarcely discernible through the mellow haze and thin moonlight wasa dark spot, rapidly rising and falling—a galloping animal, ‘Whoever he is, he’s ina hurry,” remarked Jack, slowly reaching for his rifle, while Simp- son laid bis within easy reach. ‘It can’t be Pedro and Duncan, for they would be together, and there would be two spots instead of one,” ‘* Wal, whoever he is, he’s only one ter two, so thar’s no use fr ettin’,” and the guide laid ‘his head back on his saddle-pillow, smoking quietly, but closely watching the rapidly approaching object. it drew nearer—a quarter of a mile distant. Simpson raised his head on his elbow, peered at it for a moment, then quietly said: ‘*{t’s Duncan on the roan mustang—I kin tell the little villain as fur as I kin see him him.” The sharp eyes of the guide were right—Dun- ean it proved to be. He did not slacken his swift, steady gait, buf swept down the hillside where he had met the Phantom Rider, and dart- ing into camp, reined in violently. His first greeting was a wicked one by Jack, who well knew the most vulnerable of the cook’s weakest points. ‘‘Coms back to get supper, have you?” he asked sarcastically, ‘It’s a pity you cut short your holiday ride for such an unimportant thing. Men that work hard dote on waiting three or four hours for supper. In fact, they don’t want any—oh, no, indeed.” But, tor once, the violent retort did not come, Duncan having almost ridden over the remains of the supper, which were directly under his nose; but his eyes snapped angrily, as he noted the malicious intent of the speech, and it was contrary to his hedgehog nature to forbear reply. ‘* Trying to pick a muss ag’in, are ye? Try- ing to torment and annoy your cook? You are old enough to know better, and to behave more like a gentleman, seems to me, Well, we'll do no wrangling now—I’m in too big a hurry. i “What's up?” demanded Simpson. ‘Plenty. Saddle up as quick as you can, for Pedro is in trouble.” ‘* What!” and the two men sprung to their feet. ‘* What's the matter?” ‘*T don’t know. He came all afire to me, and told me to fetch youall. I asked him what was the matter, but he was in such a fever he couldn’t stop to tell, but sent me back,to tell you to oe Gosh! how he did roll out the Span- “Bh? What did he say?” earnestly inquired the guide. Ay P iacy peal inh and how his eyes did it a: Gents,” and the guide brought his fist down on his open palm, “Pye starved and feasted, laughed and cried, with Pedro Felipe, for these fifteen years, and I know something’s wrong when he talks Spanish.” With this emphatic remark the guide brought the vicious mustang from _ his picket and threw the saddle upon his : back in preparation for a Speedy start. But Jack quietly continued his SMOKInNe. * Ain’t yer comin’?” asked Simpson. ‘* No,” was the terse reply. “Why? and both Simpson’s and Duncan’s face expressed surprise. “We can’t leave the young lady alone here to have those fellows come and take her away.” ** Let her come along, then.” ‘¢ She’s got no horse to ride.” She kin ride the Spanish mare.” ** Where is the side-saddle?” demanded Jack, Duncan stared; “the young lady” was an enigma to him, “Got a woman here?” he inquired. Jack briefly related the arrival of his charge, _ and her adventures, and concluded with a glow- wang eulogium on her virtues, ‘He's bound to stay hyar,” whispered the mde to Duncan. ‘‘ He won't leave her, for he’s gone.” 7 3. Z ee . Ry OY cheb oe aN. at iy et eee Les The Canyon Pards. Pards. Duncan was too thunderstruck to feel sur- prised at this latter news; but soon recovering his wits, called out, impatiently: ow ell, if you ain’t coming, Just sing out, and me and Tim ‘w ill go to Pedro,” In answer, Jack pointed to the hills. Out- lined against the radiant, moonlit sky, were the forms of a dozen halted hor semen, looking down on the camp. CHAPTER VIII. AN UNGRANTED DEMAND. ** Do you see them?’ demanded Jack, ‘‘ Well, if you do, Pil tell you who they are, and what they want.” ‘* Well?” questioned Duncan. ‘They are the rascals that captured Miss Kate, and they want her.” ‘* Tt won’t do no good ef they do,” guide, ‘* They sha’n’t hev her. ‘* Of course not.” A slight commotion took place among the horsemen on the hill; then a hoarse voice rung out in a rough hail: ‘‘ Camp, hallo!” “ Hallo!” responded Jack, ‘What camp is that?” ‘¢ Explorers.” ‘* Seen anything of a spotted mustang with a broken r iata round his reck ?” C Oe ‘*That spotted mustang is all in yer eye,” gruffly spoke the guide to his comrade, ** They’re after the lady,” ‘* Hist!” continued Jack, hoarse hail: ‘“ Who are you?” + Cimar ron Jack, Tim Simpson, and Kit Dun- can. Jack swelled somewhat as he noticed the names caused a stir among the band on the summit. With a ring of exultation, he called: ‘* Who are you ?” ‘*Cyrus Johns’s outfit—out on a raid after Comanche scalps.” Ss Yes, and plunder, too,” added Jack, sotto voce, ** Ah, he’s a desperate villain--a regular cut-throat, and cunning as a wolf. tain Hart’s old gang, Tim.” ‘S Ay, ay, I sabe.” ‘*So you hain’t seen nuthin’ of the spotted mustang,” called another and still barsber voice, ‘* I don’t like ter hurt yer feelin’s, but I’ve got ter search yer. We dunno who yer be —it's mighty easy ter say you are somebody else.” ‘* He feels bad about hurtin’ our feelin’s,” mut- tered Tim. ‘‘That’s Bitl Moore, Jack. Gosh! ef they air all like him thar’s a sweet gang of ‘em. He wants to come an’ see ef the lady’s hyar—shall we let him, Jack?” ‘* No; tell him to keep his distance,” ye Keep your distance, Bill Moore!” shouted a ‘* We don’t want yer hyar, so keep ‘* You are getti art and rky nowa- days, Tim Sureociee ‘yelled the are speaker, Cyrus Johns. “Take care you don’t get snapped up in it. You know the law—a man has aright to search anywhere for a missing horse, and if he’s been stolen and the thief’s caught, you savvy the rule—a California neck- tie.” “Don’t insinuate that we stole your mus- tang!” growled Jack. ** Recollect who you are talking to—Cimarron Jack, the king of the rairies, and the cock of the walk, I don’ t be- ieve you have lost a mustang.” At this declaration a consultation took place among the band, briefly terminated. added the Again came the One of Cap- par- ently casting aside all disguise, the chief, *oear. Johns, rode ‘aside, and called out: 3 Let the mustang go—it’s no account. But you've got a girl there,” As if expecting an answer, he paused, None came, His voice grew a liitle hoarser: ‘You've got a girl there that belongs to us, and we want her, e don’t want to quar rel with you, and if you'll give her up we'll do the right thing by you. We have coin to spare.” Again he waited for an answer, again the pause was useless. His voice’y ung discordantly: ‘It’s no use in denying you've got her—we know you have. Once more, will you give her up and take a thousand American dollars as pay? She belongs to us, and we can by rights take her away from you: but, to avoid a quar- rel, we're willing to give a bonus. ” . By what right is she yours?’ demanded J ack . incensed at the villain’s effrontery. i Bn the right of possession—nine points of ‘Ts that your idea of law and justice?” Fe Swe: e. ‘* You bet it is!” ‘Then s e belongs to us, for she is now in our possession. Your Jaw goes back on you, Cyrus Jobns.” ** But [ me: nt fir st possession,” ‘Then she don’t Lelong to you at all, but to her father. She isan crpban, and has no guar- dian—she is free to go wherever she chooses, and she comes to us. ou have no right to ber. iD The voice of the ranger grew angrier and authoritative. ‘So you don’t intend to give her up?” * To such a villain as you are—never, never |” The last words rung out dec idedly as the young girl came out of the tent, and pale with fear gazed pleadingly into his eyes for }rotec- tion. After this, whatever happened, he would fight, even die for bher—so resolved the brave young giant, looking down into her frightened eyes. ‘* Do not be “larmed, Miss Sandorn,” be whis- ered, encouragingly, “We are famous for eing the best shots on the plain—we will pro- tect you.’ His speech was amply rewarded by the elo- quent, grateful look which flowed from her soft blue eyes. His heart beat faster, as taking her hand, he led her into the tent. “ Rost assured, lady,” he murmured, ‘ that whatever happens, Jobn Worth — Cimarron Jack, will protect you. God bless you!” and bending low he raised her hand to his lips, and was gone, ‘*Again, will you give her up?” called the harsh voice of Cyrus Johns. ‘‘ If you don’t, we will open fire upon your camp.” ‘Open then, you woman-thieves!” vocifer- ated the euide: and the reply was a flash, a re- port; and a bullet whistled éver his head: hos- tilities had commenced, “Tramp out that fire, Duncan—roll those bales of blankets into a shelter, Tim, while I bring in the mare!” and ere he had finished, Jack was rapidly running to perform his task, Crack—crack! Several bullets whistled about him, but none took effect. It is not easy to strike a Man running at full speed, at three hundred yards, by moonlight. To uproot the picket and drag the old mare to the camp, was the work of very few minutes; and when he arrived, the fire was extin uished, the blankets, saddles and vacks formed into a barrier, behind which lay his comrades snugly on their bellies, A small gully, terminating in a short distance lay behind them, of sufficient depth to afford shelter to the horses: and accordingly they hus- tened to picket them in that sheltered place, leaving them to browse on the dry but uwutri- tious bunch grass which grows on the banks. This done, they returned to the breastwork; and having disposed of their weapons to the best advantage, awaited the further age ression of the enemy. In the mean time, several of the besieger- had dismounted and withdrawn their steeds to the opposite side of the hill, beyond the vision of the besieged, and returning to the summit, fell on their. knees, and drawing their Jong knives, began to thrust them into the ground busily, as if digging, ‘*T don’t know what they are doing, but it seems to be something to our disadvantege—it must be,” remarked Jack, closely scanning their actions. ‘* We had better put a damper on them if we can. How far dves your mile kill, Dunean?” ‘* At seven hundred yards,” ‘Good gun: mine wont: but it does at five hundred, And yours, Tim?” “Six hundred.” Aside from the main party were four men engaged in digging, while the remainder (eight) appeared to be m a consultation; and noting the former, Jack said: “PI] take vhe lett man, Duncan the next, and you, Tom, the uext, Aim steady now— we had better rest on the blankets, as every shot tells. When the thoroughbred from Arabia counts three, draw tr igger. One.” The guns were rested upon the blankets, es Two. ” Each man aimed steadily, : ‘¢ Three,” At the simultaneous report, three of the four men sprung to their fe+t, and’ a wild yell floated over the plain; then two rangers sunk slowly to the ground, while the fourth and uninjured one stagger ed away with the third desperately wounded, on his back, A volley of oaths arose from the bill, and the rangers quickly scuttled from sight, leaviug two borizontal objects on the summit—two dead men. ‘* Better than I expected,” was the cheery cry all ; ; 4 os f . t _- * | ei Sag me vs 4" -- es “6 3 will et. Le : ‘s Shy un . 14 *, ‘ ‘ mr — “cit a ee es oe re <— 4 re af ory pnd? a Pn SF er er Sr s> Ble J Naf ay Ree ok , 7 , i oP “7 cs * 1 —s ’ - Ls ~ AWG. . Premabie ye ta ns 5 ~ r r