Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 56 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

= -- —— —-——_———__———_ -— a Colt’s revolver. We could put both of them out of our path as well as not, and I'd like to do it.” ‘** When you’ve as many gray hairs in your head as I have, you won’t be so ezser to send a ball through the head of any critter that happens to cross rour path, ms ou won’t shrink from it if it should become ne- cessary ?” > ‘Exactly; but it hain’t become necessary, Ned; if Woo-wol-na keeps in our way, ’'d shoot him; but if we kin get the gal out of their hands without harm- ing a red-skin, m going to do it. When Iwas on my first war-path, it was just the other way, but I kin tell you, Ned, this killing people is a bad business any way you can fix it, and to my mind, any man is guilty that wants to do it.” “You are right,” replied Ned, who could but agree with the humanitarian sentiments of the old hunter, who could pass through so many scenes of violence and bloodshed, and still, like a Christian warrior, re- tain a yearning love for peace and quietness, “My whole heart is bent on gaining Miona from their hands,” added the lover. “I have prayed and longed for this day; I can never leave American ter- ritory without her, and I will stop at no danger or sacrifice to accomplish my purpose.” ** Just so,” replied the imperturbable Nick, as he softly ed 9 his paddle and kept the boat to its course. our heart is full of love, and when a man is in that kettle, I take it that he’s blind to prudence and common sense. If he was to undertake this business alone, the end of it would be that you would have your ha’r raised, and would go under afore vou had fairly started.” The sober thought of Mackintosh admitted the truth of all the trapper had uttered, and he could not refuse to acquiesce in his cool judgment and pru- dential deliberation. All this time the canoe was moving up the creek with the silence of some aquatic monster stealing his way through a gantlet of enemies to some safe retreat in the ocean beyond. There was little likeli- hood of the boat ahead checking its speed, or being overtaken by its pursuer; but nevertheless there was a possibility, and Nick Whiffles was not the one to let his haste run him into any “‘ condemned diffikilty ” of that nature. Calamity showed a realizing sense of the responsi- bility that rested upon his canine shoulders, Sitting on his hannches, with his forepaws resting upon the gunwale of the prow, he peered into the darkness, every sense on the alert for the dusky foes in ad- vance, The sound of a rustling leaf did not escape, nor did it deceive him. He had hunted and roamed too many years with his master to need any instructions at this late day. Nick knew exactly what the capa- bilities of the brute were, and precisely how far he was to be depended upon; so, while he kept the ca- noe cautiously gliding up one bank, he found time to hold whispered converse with his companion, scarce- Pty Aso | ahead, but leaving that duty to his faith- end. Mile after mile glided behind them, and they were drawing near the spot where they believed the beau- tiful, the loving, dhe trusting Miona was longingly awaiting their co , Ned Mackintosh became silent and thoughtful. The belief that the critical moment for which he had been waiting four long, weary years, was at hand; that she toward whom his thoughts had turned, dur- ing all that time, when the broad ocean rolled be- tween them, was now within a few miles, and that yaar moment was drawing them nearer poe Sad filled him again with a nervous uneasiness, which he controlled with mueh difficulty, and which did not escape the observant eye of the old ana " You must git over that,’’ admonished the latter, “for if you don’t, you won't be good for any thing, and I'll leave you ashore.”’ He strove manfully, and after a time he gained more mastery over himself. oe will be all right when the time comes,” he re- plied. “The time has come now,” said Nick, as with one Sweep of his paddle he ran the prow against the land, and stepped out. “What does this mean?” asked Ned, in some as- ent. . “Them lodges I was talking about ain’t two hun- red yards from this spot.” Is it possible?” was the exclamation of the young me he stepped out; “‘and what are we to do ‘You're to lay here, while me and the ward and rackynoiter a little; and, Ned, in his most impressive manner, mind me to the very letter?” ‘“Of course I do,” “ All right; then don’t move six feet from here till I give you word. be back soon.”’ And the next moment Ned Mackintosh was alone. About an hour passed, when Nick Whiffles returned with the noiselessness that characterized all his movements, and stooping down beside his youn friend, he placed his hand upon his shoulder, an said: ““ Ned, we've found the place where the varmints have hid the gal!” up go for- Mie added, “do you promise to —{>=>—-_——-- CHAPTER X. A FINGER ON THE TRIGGER. Arter making his startling announcement to Ned Mackintosh, Nick Whiffles explained it in substance, Upon lea him in company with Calamity, the two had moved stealthily forward, until they reached the desolate clearing where stood the “ruins” of what had once been a’ e and aarine Blackfoot village. These ruins co of three lodges only, as follows: _rative, ‘as you love me, grant me one favor.’ eee eee Pet. Nick Whiffies’s in two of which lights were burning. In one of these were seated Red Bear and to warriors, the three | engaged in smoking and discussing some important | . be the wife of Red Bear, and has attempted to dr- _ ceive us; Nick let him think he believed his false- ' hood, but we understood him. You have been re- after lying down in front of it for a half-hour, it was | matter. There was difficulty in gaining a view of the inte- rior of the other, as the entrance was closed; but, opened, and an old squaw, that Nick recognized as the mother of Red Bear, came out and went into the lodge in which were seated Red Bear and his three companions, ' This was the very lodge in which Nick Whiffles had lain an invalid more than thirty years before; and as | ‘he buffalo-skin door was pulled aside, he saw, plain- iy, and distinctly, Miona seated upon the ground, in fro it of a small fire, engaged in knitting some bead o-nament. The firelight shone full upon her face, so that there was no mistake about it. ‘“* Nick,” said Mackintosh, at this point in his nar- ‘* What is it?”’ ‘*Take me to the spot where you crouched, when you saw her, there let me stay one minute and look upon her face.” ‘But the danger—”’ ‘You can trust me. Remember I have not seen her for four years. I can be as quiet and stealthy about it as you.”’ ‘* Well, ll doit. Come along!” They stole their way through the wood and across | in the direction of one of the lodges, in | the clearin which a light could be seen shining, moving with the stealth of men who knew that a single false step would be paid by the penalty of their lives. The whole affair was in opposition to the sense of Nick Whiffles, but he could not well refuse the re- uest of his young friend, made as it was with such direct earnestness to him. Finally Nick paused, and whispered: ** Crawl to that spot and lay flat down, and if the gal hasn’t changed her position, you'll see her face a blamed sight plainer than you can see mine.”’ Ned did as requested, and complete success crowned the effort. He saw Miona seated in front of a fire engaged with some fancy work, and seem- ingly as quiet and unsuspicious as though seated among her own friends. Her head was bent, so that the view was not as good as could be desired, but such as it was, it made the heart of the lover bound with delight, Ay, there she sat; the loved of his heart; she of whom he had dreamed for the four years past, and for whom he had hastened to cross who returned his yearning affection, and who, he fondly believed, was at that moment thinking of him as yet far away from her. The wish of Mackintosh was that she would raise her head, before he was compelled to withdraw, and this pleasure was also afforded him. iile his eyes were intently fixed upon her coun- tenance, she suddenly looked up, as if some noise at the entrance of the lodge had attracted her at- tention. This afforded the very view for which Ned was so anxious. There was a startled expression upon the face of Miona, that rendered her beauty more gee. The lustrous eyes looked darker, and the excitement gave her a flushed appearance that rendered her captivating in the highest degree, * Oh! if she but knew I were here!’’ sighed m hero, who felt an almost irresistible impulse to rus forward and claim her, ‘if she would but come forth, and go with us at once!” In a moment she lowered her gaze again, and re- sumed her work; and feeling thatit was incumbent upon him to do so, Mackintosh withdrew and rejoin- ed the trapper. “Now I s‘pose you feel easier,’ remarked the lat- ter, as they stealthily retreated to the cover of the woods n. * Yes, and I am thankful to you for the kindness you showed me. I had a good view of her face. And now what do you propose to do?”’ ‘We must wait here, and find out what they’re driving at. We mought get the gal, but it won't hurt to wait awhile, and it’s better to be sartin afore you move in such a matter.” Ned supposed he was right, but it was very hard to be governed by the same deliberation, at a time when he believed that a bold dash would end the matter at once in their favor, but he forced himself to assent and wait the pleasure of his old friend. The entrance to the other lodge remained closed, so that it was impossible to tell what was going on in there; but there was little doubt their consulta- tion concerned Miona. It was ve ef and would have been very char- acteristic in Red Bear to use force in compelling her to become his wife; but it seemed that he hesitated at this step, until it became certain that no other means would succeed. Nick Whiffles more than once was on the point of stealing forward and pens Miona of their presence so that she might oP phe nh to second any movement in her own behalf; but he resolutely ed himself. However, he thought the time had come when Calamity could take a hand in the business, and he turned to Ned. “Have you got pencil and paper?’ “ Yes b “Then git something ready, and we'll try and send the pup in with it.” Mackin was glad enough to do so, and as well as he could in the darkness, he penned the fol- lowing: ‘DEAREST MIONA: ‘*Nick and I are near you, watching for a chance to get you out of the hands of your enemies. By the 7 in the cavern. He has been to see Woo-wol-na, who told him that you were dead. As you already know, the old chief is determined that you shall moved here, so as to be without the reach of your friends. You must remain quiet, and it will be well to affect an acquiescence to whatever wishes they may have regarding you. Lawait Nick’s move- ments, who is slow, but who doubtless knows better what todothanI, If you can, send me a few words back. EpWARD MACKINTOSH.”’ This, with a piece of paper from his note-book and his pencil, was fastened around the neck of Calam- ity, so that she might have an opportunity to reply. | | | | | | As there seemed to be no dogs at all belonging to the Blackfeet in the village, there was considerable risk in eeewers 2 Calamity upon such anerrand. If seen, he would be recognized as belonging to Nick, and the extraordinary precautions that the two had taken, during the preceding few days, would thus be entirely thrown away. But there was no one to whose sagacity it was safer to trust than to this same canine’s. He knew the value of keeping himself “scarce” at such a time, and, if there was any possible way of doing it, he might be depended upon to do it. Nick took pains to explain with great particularity what he expected his animal to do, and then told him to go. bat the entrance of the dog. j Calamity advanced straight toward the clearing until he had passed half-way across, when he paused and looked about him to see if the coast was clear. Everything seemed rag meena! A a he kept straight ahead, and the next instant ed into the door of the lodge. As he did so, Nick, who had stolen back to his former position, and was watching, saw her start, utter a slight scream, and make ready to com- but the next instant she recognized and welcomed him, hastening forward to take the paper from his neck. Then she read it with an eager interest impossible to describe, and when finished, raised her eye de- _ voutly upward, thanking Heaven for the answer to he ocean—she | have a good encil in hand, she leaned herself in replying to the “By mighty! ain’t she givin him a good dose?’ muttered Nick, as he saw her turn it over, after the lapse of séveral minutes, and continued her rapid german cer 4 upon the other side of the leaf. ‘‘ Wal spose the gal loves him, and of course she must her prayer. Then, with toward the fire, and busie missive of her lover. eal to say to him.” By-and-by it was finished, and then she fastened it very carefully to the neck of the dog, securing with it the pencil also, and made ready for the return of her faithful express. - At this critical moment, the door of the other lodge opened, and Red Bear issued forth, walking straight toward the one where Miona and the dog were sit- ting. It was a dangerous instant, and looked as if discovery were unavoidable. There was no way for Calamity to slip out, without ae seen by the chief — would be certain to identify him at the first glance, Nick Whiffles stealthily raised the hammer of his _ rifle, prepared to fire at Red Bear if the discovery i | should take place, for it now looked as if it was to come to that. But the wonderful mene. of Calamity proved equal to the emergency. is sharp ear detected the approach, and he seemed to comprehend at the same instant that it was impossible for him to escape from the lodge. As quick as a flash, he whisked be- hind Miona and crawled beneath the skins, upon a pack of which she was sitting. Nick Whiffles witnessed this maneuver of his dog, with a grin of exultation, and then carefully inns his way back to where Ned was awaiting him. Here he related what he had seen, adding: “The pup knows more than both of us; trust Ca- i say, for the pup has never deceived me yet. He then said there was no telling how long Red Bear might remain in the lodge, and if tosh chose, he could take his old position, and watch the interview. This the young man gla@ly did, and found his place such that he had a view of both. iona still had her seat upon the skins, and Ned fancied that she had so spread out her dress as to help hide Calamity. Red Bear sat several feet away, his face turned full By a the girl, and the appear- ance of both showed that they were engaged in earnest converse. Miona had probably taken lessons from the note sent her by her lover, and her heart was so full of ‘‘new-fledged hope’ that she could well assume a ee a og of manner toward the Blackfoot, even ough she knew he was soon to have so rude an awakening. He had a e pipe of yellow clay in his mouth, and undoubted Ms was doing his ‘‘level best to per- suade the beautiful young pale-face to become his © ieen, and to forget her ties of blood and kindred, in tne ae of a consort of so brave a warrior as himse to be leni- ent than she had ever yet showed herself in his ence, and the red scamp was in high feather oven his good fortune. But Miona unconsciously incurred a danger in en- couraging Red Bear too much. If her manner was such as to make him believe that she would be proud to become his wife, he saw no reason why she should Miona listened, and was more di _ delay so long in taking that position. He wished her to join him anc his warriors in his canoe, and with assistance of you and him I was saved from death | him go to the village down the river, there to gq com (E cS JOOKS-COr