Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 560 — page 2: what you’re looking at

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

2 | Pawnee Bill, the Prairie Shadower. wy - ” 7 7 His horse held his head low down, as he waiked slowly along, sbowing that he was tired, and bis rider sat in the saddle like one who was fagged out by a long journey. i have said horseman, and yet the rider was nm mere boy, a youth of sixteen, whose face was beardless, and whose golden hair hung upon his broad shoulders in many waves, He was dressed in a homespun suit, top-boots, woolen shirt and wore a light-colored slouch hat. At his back bung a rifle, and inthis belt was a revolver, showing that he had armed himself to meet any danger that might cross his path. His saddle was an old one, and it had evi- dently seen service in the lave war, for I write of a time after the gigantic civil struggle be- tween the North and South, A puir of rusty saddle-bags, a roll of blankets, canteen and haversack completed bis equip- ment, excepting a long lariat which was used to stake out bis horse to feed when he halted for the nigbt, or for rest, The horse was a good animal, small and with fine points of speed and endurance, Tue face of the youth was a marked one, full of Yearlessness and resolution, while it was in- telligent and possessed the stamp of character beyond his vears, ‘+ Rattler, you are as tired asI am, so we'll turmoif in the woods and take a rest, as it does not look hke a country where we'll find a stop- ping place hereabouts,” said the youth, and he turned from the highway into a clump of thick timber on the right of the road. He unsaddled his borse, watered him at a els brook, and while the enimal was left to crop the grass near, be threw bimself down to rest, hissaddle serving as a pillow. He was soon asleep; but bad vot slumbered long before he was awakened by rapidly ap- proaehing hoofs. Instantly he seized his rifle and took shelter behind a tree, as though he realized that he was in a dangerous locality. Nearer and nearer came the horses, for his experienced ear told him that there were several animals dashing swiftly along the highway, and soon there came into sight around a bend in the road a steed and rider, with two horsemen pressing close behind the leader. A glance told the youth that the onein ad- vance was a female, urging her horse with all speed in flight from two men who were crowd- “ag her closely and gaining steadily. It did not take an instant for the youth to de- gde upon his course, which wasto protect the weakest party, as he was accustomed to do un- der all circumstances, and as the fugitive dash- ed by, with her pursuers close upon, her he sprung out into the road and cried in a clear, commanding voice: ‘‘Hold there! Make me your game, not a girl!” The maiden gaveacry of joy, while the men aaetee took him at his word and fired upon im. Instantly he returned the fire, though one of the bullets of the men struck him in the arm. At his shot the man nearest to him fell from his horse, the other dashed upon him, as though to ride bim down. | But the youth stood firm, conscious of bis power to kill his second adversary and thus en- able the maiden to escape, Then came snap! snap! snap! as the revolver rmoissed fire and the youth, wholly taken aback at the failure of his pistol to go off, was unable to get ont of the way of the charging horseman aud went down under the hoofs of the animal, The blow was a severe one, and hajf-stunned the daring lad, who fell heavily, and was unable to rise, thongh be saw the man dismount quick- ly and rush upon him, firing as he did so, Fortunately the shots flew wild; but the in- furiate’ horseman meant to avenge bis comrade and also to get even for being foiled m tbe in- tended capture of the girl, ' *T'l] kill you, curse you, for your daring to interfere with Black Ben in his work!” be hissed, as he rushed toward the prostrate boy, who was now wholly at bis mercy. But ere the fatal shot was fired, there came the sharp crack of a rifle from the woods, and the man fell in bis tracks, while out into the roadway bounded a young man, his smoking rifle in bis hand, He was dressed as a huntsman, was scarcely over twenty, and had a bold, bandsome face, He ran up to the prostrate. youth, who was still dazed by the blow the horse had given him. **T hope you are not seriously hurt, for I saw your brave rescue of my sister, and tried to get re sooner to aid you,” said the new-comer. 6 ‘*T feel pretty shaky, sir, but I don’t think | “No, brother,” and Ruby shuddered as she I’m badly hurt— See there!” As the youtb spoke, the man who had called himself Black Ben, and who had fallen at the shot of the young man, sprung to his feet, and with a mighty bound reached his horse, threw himself into the saddle and was gone! The young man’s rifle leaped to his shoulder, but the hammer fell with a click, for at the moment he had forgotten that he had fired it to save the boy. Hastily drawing a revolver from his pocket, he opened fire upon the flying highwayman; but the horse was going with the speed of the wind and almost out of range, so he bad the chagrin to see Black Ben escape. ‘*T thought he was dead; but he’s gone, that is certain, ‘* Now let me help you, and you must go home with me, for I live but a mile away. ‘*My name is Andrew Rolston, Junior, and you may have heard of my father, who is the wealthiest man in these parts, ** We are summering upon our farm, but live in the city.” Thus in a few words Andrew Rolston, Jr., see told the young traveler much about him- self, ‘Tam a stranger in this country, sir, so know no one. ‘‘Let me thank you for saving my life, Mr. Rolston, and I pledge you, I’'[l never forget the debt I owe you,” ‘Don’t mention it, my young friend, for you risked it in defense of my sister, and we are the obliged parties, and the governor won’t forget you, my word for it, ‘* But there comes Ruby now, and she would not have deserted you, for she’s plucky I can tell you, bad she been able to stop that iron- mouthed horse she rides,” As Andrew Rolston spoke the fair young fugi- tive, whom the boy traveler had rescued from her pursuers dashed up to the spot and threw herself from the saddle. CHAPTER II. THE BOY RESCUER, RuBy ROLSTON was a creature of impulse. She was but fourteen years of age, but ver beautiful, with her sunny-hued hair and dar eyes. "Het form was willowy in build, graceful and very mature for one of her years, while her face denoted a true heart and noble nature, She was dressed in a handsome riding-habit, and she rode with the ease of one who was at home in the saddle. A beauty she certainly was, and if not spoiled by flattery and the knowledge that she was an heiress, she promised to make a noble woman. Her brother was six years her senior,:and was one who seemed calculated to win the re- spect and friendship of those with whom he came in contact. He had heen out for a day’s sport with his rifle and dog, and his sister had, as was her wont, gone for an afternoon's gallop ajl alone. They were the oaly children of a rich bankey, who dwelt in the city not many miles away, and having a fine ferm in the country he was wont to spend a few months there each summer with bis wife, son and daughter. It was a fine farm, with a large, comfortable mansion, and a thousand acres in cultivation, Their children were their idols, and so Banker Rolston and his wife were most bappy in having them with them at the farm. When Ruby dashed up to the scene of the tragedy, and threw herself from her horse, she rasped the hand of the young traveler in both ate own, and said in a qdivering voice: ‘© You sayed me from those horrid men, and T fear you are burt, ‘¢ Don’t think I was a coward, because T ran off and left you to fight my battles; but I conld not stop my horse. ‘* Tell me if you are badly hurt, for I can ride after the carriage for you.” ‘*Ob no, miss, 1am a little bruised, and was stunned for a moment or two. ‘That is all, and I’m able to go on my way now, I guess, for Il have a long journey before me, ‘* But, will I be held for murder, sir?’ and the boy turned to Andrew Rolston, who was ex- amining the body of the man whom the youth ba: slain, ‘* No indeed, for.how can you be?” “And you ran the other man off, brother?” asked Ruby. ‘*T saw the affair from yonder in the phe sis, so did all I could; but do you not know tha dead man?’ gazed at the face of the dead highwayman. ‘** Well, I know him, sis, for it is Luke Dor- lan, whom father discharged a year ago for stealing from him, and wbo vowed revenge.” ‘** Yes, [remember him now, brother, and he sought to capture me to kill me, or to make father pay a large ransom for me. “They chased me nearly a mile,” and Ryl:g shuddered at the remembrance. ‘Well, but for this young gentleman yor wowei have been captured, | ‘‘What is your name, sir?” and Ancrs'¥ Bo ston turned to the youth, who ;aswere. yuiel- ly: ee My name is Gordon JLjiiie, sir, and | oo o> ing West to seek my fortune.” ‘You have begun well to-day, Gord: for the governor is generous and will gi" big stake for saving sis_from those fellow: you ride on home with Ruby, while I <0 y here by the body, and tell father and some of 1° neighbors to come so We can hold an 'n over the remains, for though we know #9)! 2 .0ut it, the law has to tell us just bow the men came to his death and all that you know,” Thus urged to become a guest: at Holston Ranch, as the farm was called, Gordon 1L.!): could not well refuse, though he hate to fr! : OU & rad that he was accepting hospitality m “vr for services rendered. Bui he could do nothing else, and so | vaunted his horse and rode on with Ruby Rolsto» to ber home, while Andrew remained by the +! the man whom Gordon Lillie had slain. On the way to Rolston Ranch Ruby 92): with the young traveler as though sic |: known him for years, and arriving at the a» sion she presented him to her father and i101! who were seated upon the piazza and rose meet her, aS they saw her with a strang: : ‘* Pather and mother, this young gent in is Mr. Gordon Lillie, and I owe him my ‘oN he saved me from capture by Black | a Luke Dorlan, whom you discharged frur ioc farta and who swore to be avenged on you “Mr. Lillie was hurt,so mamma piers. |. care of him, and father, brother Andrew is waiting down the road for you, and wishes you to come at once, for there is a dead man there, and there would have been two, but Black Ben escaped,” In spite of Ruby’s off-hand manner of telling of her adventure, her words greatly frightened both of her parents, and the banker hastened - ‘away on horseback, followed by @ wagon con- taining several of the farm hands, while Mrs. Rolston quickly bad a room prepared for the youth whom Ruby now looked upon as her ero, The dead highwayman was buried where he fell, after the county coroner bad decided that his death was a case of justifiable homicide at the hands of a youth by name Gordon Lillie, That night Gordon was given an easy-chair in the library, and the banker and his family were interes enough in him to ask him who and what he was. “Simply an Illinois hoy, Mr. Rolston. I have left my home to better my fortunes, as I m old @nouch to belp my ana along, and I hought of seeking the gold mines, or becoming q scout on the border,” auswered Gordon Lillie modestly. “ But life on the border is full of peril, and a wild existence at that, While you will be thrown with a desperate lot of characters, MY son,” said the kind-hearted banker.” ; “ IT do not expect to go through life, sir, witb- out meeting dangers of many kinds, and there are temptations about me at all Umes, to go astray. - T think I shall do wel], sir.” “ Have tie any objection to FeMalning here, Master Lillie?” ** How do Sm mean, sir?’ “ You read and write well, of course?” “7 have such an éducation @S5 +4 Could get ata eountry school, sir; but T. hope to be able to study bard and learn more. “Then I shall give you the chance, my son, for I will offer you a clerkship in my panking- hagse. “The duties will not be very bara, the hours from nine until] about four, and [| will give o ‘fair salary to begin with, while you can work ourself up into a better place. yn What xa you, my son? Gordon Lillie was Silent for seyera] minutes. e had a romantic desire to win fame upon the plains, or to dig ® fortune out of ® gold- mine. He was a boy of Splendid physique, had never met his Pi strength tae his fellows, 4 \ | comicboo ee a =a aot