Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 560 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

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Be had already told Evil Spirit of the youth’s fight at the Bonanza Hotel in Prophet City, when he killed his brother, and also of his gal- lant defense of the cabin against himself and bis . four companions, Evil Spirit had admired the boy’s pluck, and now said: ‘‘ Well, young man, you are in a bad box.” ** So it seems, if that man is your friend, and if Iam * ape prisoner.” ‘““Well, this man is my friend, and I saved him from dying at the end a lariat, and you are my “eso * Now what are you doing here?” ‘*T was on my way to the Colorado mining- wer a ** Well, you’ll have to change your plans,” “*T expect it, without a choice of what plans Tll have to carry out,” was the cool reply. ** Be light on him, chief, for the boy begged for me, | admit, and Ill call it quits between us,” said Black Beard. ‘¢ You are a better man than I thought you, and I thank you,” Gordon Lillie rejoined, “Oh, yes, I bave no desire to kill the plucky boy, so I'll take him along with us,” responded Evil Spirit, and he gave a warrior orders to let the youth mount his own horse, but to tie him to him and then take him along with the band. Gordon breathed more freely, and all through the remainder of the night rode along behind the chief and Black Beard, with an Indian war- rior by his side. The band of red marauders pushed onwas »rap- idly as they could with their booty and cattle, and did not halt until the sun was several hours high, ‘Then but a short halt was made, and they kept on until late in the afternoon, when they reached the foot-hills of a mountain range, where Hyil Spirit halted his warriors to guard the retreatof his pack-horses and cattle from those who might follow. While a few brayes went on ata slower pace toward the Indian village in the mouutains, car- rying with them the plunder and herds of stock, Evil Spirit and the larger number took up a position in the foot-hills to ambush any pursuers who might be upon their trail. Among those remaining with the chief was Black Beard, while Gordon Lillie, along with the braves slain in the attack on the settlement, and the wounded, for all were brought along on travois, went on with the party going to the village. The cattle were tired, as were also the pack- animals, and so they moved slowly up into the mountains, Tho warriors had been long in the saddle and they were also worn out, and Gordon noticed that the brave who had him in charge was half sleep. He had observed that his bonds were not very secure, for Evil Spirit had had them loosened as he saw that they gave him pain, and so the brave boy set to work to untie them. A'fter hard work he freed one hand from where it was bound to the horn of the saddle, and soon after released the other, the guard calmly sleep- ing the while, This guard was in advance, leading the way to the village, and both his pony and Gordon’s horse had walked faster than the others and so bad gotten some little distance ahead. Night was not far distant and the youth de- termined to makea bold effort to-eseape, In his saddle-bags, which had not been rob- bed, fortunately for him, he had a revolver, _ But be cared not to fire upon his guard, know- ing that it would at once alarm those in the rear, ‘I will try a different plan, and use my reyol- ver only when it is needed,” be muttered, and he quietly slipped ‘the weapon out of the saddle- bag and grasped it firmly in his band. CHAPTER XIV. A FORTUNATE RESCUE. THE Indian guard still slept serenely, reeling from side to side, but never losing his equili- brium, and at times opening his eyes for a sleepy glance at his prisoner, whose horse was fastened to the animal he rode, Raising his revolver, the butt grasped firml in his hand, Gordon Lillie brought it down with telling force upon the head of the sleeping Sioux uard, . The blow was a severe one, and not a moan es- caped the red lips as the warrior feli from his saddle to the ground. The two horses, startled by the blow and fall, sprung forward; but Gordon Lillie hastily check- ed them, and unfastening his rein from the bridle of the Indian pony, let him go on ahead, as soon as he had recovered his own weapons which the red-skin had tied to his saddle, Then he returned and quickly placed the war- } | | rior across the back of Black Ben, and jed him } along at a trot until he came to where he could leave the rocky trail and enter the forest. Here he hid the Indian among a clump of ** And you did rescue me; but I don’t think Snake Eyes is dead, so you had better tie him,” and she motioned to the prostrate red-skin, ‘* We had better at once fly from here, for he can do us no harm, and my shot may have been heard by the Sioux over on the mountain trail.” ‘You have nothing to fear from them, for they are my people.” ‘* Yeur people?” «é Yes. ” Gordon was amazed, and replied: ‘*T refer to the red-skins from whom I escaped, and who are returning from a raid upon the white settlements.” ‘*T understand you, they are my people.” “Your people? ‘Why you are not an Indian?” ‘*T am a pale-face, the Queen of the Sioux, and my father, Evil Spirit, is their chief.” tordon felt that he was in dangerous com- bushes, and left him, feeling assured that he! pany. was not dead, but merely stunned. ‘Pye jumped out of the fryingpan into the Then be mounted Black Ben and rode away at | fire, I fear,” he muttered; but he said aloud: a gallop, just as the drove of pack-horses reach- ed the spot where he had felled the red-skin guard from bis saddle. ‘*Tt was a close call; but night is not far off, and I guess, Black Ben, we can make it back to the settlements by morning, and they cannot track us by night.” So saying Gordon urged Black Ben on through the heavy timber, bearing to the right, so as to flank not only those he had just left, but also Bn Spirit and his warriors stationed in the foot- ills, He was riding slowly along a ridge, which led toward a valley, when suddenly he heard hoof- falls coming at a rapid pace. The timber was full of large bowlders, and in- stantly be rode behind one, but ere he got out of sight be caught a glance of those whom he wished to avoid. There were but two of them, and one of these he discovered was a female, They were coming at a rapid pace, their horses side by side. It was almost twilight; but he»discovered, by peering over the bowlder that the maiden was a eaptive, for her hands were bound behind her, and there was a bandage over her mouth, The same look also showed him that they would doubtless dash by him and not discover his presence. As they drew nearer, still going in a gallop, Gordon took another look. He saw that they would not see him, and he congratulated himself on this; but the look showed to him that the captive was not an In- dian maiden. Ashot from his revolver might be heard by the guards, and he might thus be retaken. But Gordon Lillie’s nature was a fearless one, and he determined to take his chances and try and rescue the girl, He saw that there were no other red-skins fol- lowing, and, as the two horses dashed by the bowlder he raised bis revolver and fired. He was fearful of hitting the maiden, should he fire at the brave, so he aimed at the red-skin’s horse, and the bullet sunk into his brain. Down went the animal and he nearly dragged the other horse with him, while he threw his rider heavily. Instantly Gordon Lillie spurred forward and | sprung from his saddle holding the fallen Indian under cover of his revolver. nt the Indian remained motionless, for the fall had stiinned him,as he had struck a bowlder with great force. Then Gordon turned to the girl, whose horse was fast to the fallen animal, and a glance showed him thet he was right in his belief that she was not an Indian. She Was dressed in buelslin, the waist, skirt, leggings amd moccasins being embroidered in beads, and she wore a head-dress of rare feathers, Her hair hung down her back below her waist and was of a-rich gold-hrown color. She was scarcely over fifteen, and her face, with its fine features and splendid eyes was very striking and handsome. As she saw who it was who had rescued her, she looked surprised, while Gordon hastily freed her from the bandage over her mouth and cut the thongs that bound her bands behind her. ** What are you, a white man, doing in these mountains?” was the quick query. ‘*T have just escaned from the band of Evil Spirit, the Sioux chief, and seeing that you were a white girl and a captive, I concluded to try and rescue you,” said Gordon, gazing upon the young girl with deep interest, and alsé amaze- ment at seeing her there in the Indian moun- tains, ‘* And you live in the Sioux village?” ‘‘Oh yes, and my father and his people will welcome you, for you have saved me from Snake Eyes, a renegade chief of the Sioux, who is now our worst foe, and he meant to take me to! the Pawnees. ‘‘ Please tie him, or shall I?” “Ob no, I'll tie him, and then as you are at home, Ill say good-by.” ‘You will not leave me—but see, Snake Eyes is moving, and—” **T ll tie him so that hecan’t move,” and Gor- don hastily bound the Indian hand and foot, Just in time too did he do so, as the red-skin was by no means dead and recovering from the stunning blow glared upon him with a hatred in his eyes that caused Gordon to think he had been well named. ‘“‘Now, come with me, and JTll send some braves after Snake Eyes.” ‘He might escape,so I will remain here while you go.” ‘** You wish to leave me.” Gordon gave the young Sioux Queen credit for wonderful powers of penetration. **T confess I do not care to remain and be scalped,” he said, e t will protect you, and May Flower will not lie.” ‘*Can you?” ‘* Said I not I was the Sioux Queen?” “Tyrie. ‘*And said I not that Evil Spirit, the great chief is my father?” She seemed hurt by Gordon’s doubt of her, and as he felt very tired and was not anxious to go at a venture unless he felt that his life was at stake, be was tempted to remain. ‘‘T was captured by your /ather’s braves, while they were raiding the white settlement, and I was their prisoner until half an hour ago, ‘*Then I struck the brave, who was guarding me, from his horse, and I had just made my escape when I saw you coming, and the captive of that red-skin. ‘‘Now what will be done with me if [ am once more in the power of your people?” ‘“-You will not be harmed, rest assured.” ‘‘ Then I accept your pledge of safety.” “And will remain here untill return with some braves to take Snake Eyes to the village?” ac Yes.” ‘‘-You speak straight?” she asked with a smile of half doubt. **T premise you.” ‘Then Bf will go.” ‘‘On the trail half a mile away your people are passing, so it would be well to go there for aid, as your village is doubtless some distance off ” ‘‘-Yes it is miles away, so I will go to the trail: but remember, do not break your word to May Flower?” ‘*] will await your return.” Away dashed the young girl, and Gordon Lillie was alone with the renegade Sioux chief, CHAPTER XV, RED-SKIN HOSPITALITY, THE thoughts of Gordon: Lillie, when left alone with the renegade Sioux, were not of the pleasantest. He was a trifle anxious, for he feared that the young queen might have the wish but not the wer to save him from the warriors, If be had killed the Indian guard from whom he had escaped, it would still be worse for him, ‘¢? only hope that red-skin is not dead; but I think I heard bis skull crack uuder my blow,” he said, to himself.