Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 597 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

Bale oe 4 4 ~ 5} s ; * _ ee) 5 iw Fe But weeks again went by, and no response came from 8B. Borden, to the letter of Cora Maynell, She wrote again, and yet no reply. Again she wrote, and just as in the case of De' orme, she received no response. Ynis certainly appeared very strange, and she and Mr. St. Johu were at a loss to account for it. The more they talked it over, the more sus- picious and mysterious seemed tke circum- ‘tance. At last Mr. St. John proposed a way to. solve the mystery, as time went by and no wordcamo from the unknown correspondent in the West. That it was nct a hoax the draft for five thou- sand dollars had clearly proven, So it was decided to call upon Captain John Boland, the Secret Service chief in New York, and have him put a detective on the track to work up the case, This was done, and who that border detective mee will be made known to the reader in due me, CHAPTER XV. THE PRISONERS. LET us now return to the prisoners, Edgar Dumont and Texas the guide, whom we left at the mercy of the Black Bravos. Blindfolded and bound to their horses, the two were taken by their captors up the canyon, along a valley trail and thence up into a moun- tain range. The approach left no trail, so rocky was the soil, and numerous streams were crossed, so that the best tracker on the plains would have found it next to impossible to find the traces left by the horses of the Bravos, After a ride of some three miles the ridge of a mountain range was reached, {t was fringed with mountain pines, and the level space was thus inclosed, and here was the camp of the outlaws. It was arude camp of wicky-ups to protect the men from storms, and the approach to it was by the way of the narrow canyon, almost impassable, by which the party had come. On all other sides the mountain was too steep for a horse to climb, though a man could do so, but at the venture of his life from slipping down the Pe ecipices here and there, The wicky-up of the chief was larger and bet- ter than the others, and he had a hammock swung in it for his bed, while a table, which could be taken to pieces and put on a pack- horse, served for his meals, ani writing when he had need to do the latter, A few books, some papers, and a portfalio of sketches were scattered about, with arms of various kinds, anda box that held the plates, cups and other things necessary for the culinary department of a we l-regulated camp. The prisoners were divided, after their ar- rival in camp, one being taken to one end, the other, the guide, being put under the eye of the chief, as though he was to be feared mure than was the youth. But for this circumstance the have believed that he had wronged suspicions against him, e could not account for his having left camp at night, and said nothing to him about it; bat, as though knowing what was in the thoughts of his young fr lend, Texas had remarked, as they stood together in this outlaw camp after their arrival: ** Pm awful tired, and will be glad to rest, for my horse slipped bis lariat last night and strayed off, and it werea hard thing fer me ter find outh would exas in his him wy hopes they’ll let us rest now,” This remark convinced Edgar Dumont that be had wronged his guide, But ‘when the youth had his bandage re- moved from his eyes, his first glance was at the guide. The latter seemed to have been that moment ' unblindfolded; but Edgar Dumont could hardly see at first, and noticed that the guide’s eyes had es the look of having been covered as his had een, Then when the chief said: “‘Leaa that borderman to my tent and tie him to a tree there, for I am determined that he shall not escape,” the youth’s suspicions again were awakened that all wus not well. He was taken toacamp near and secured, while Texas was led to the other end where the chief had his quarters, Without appearing to Co so, the youth watched the departure of the guide with a guard, and he noted that the chief held a con- versation with bim, ° a ep ern. det Stipa The , Young Texan oobi: sd) ea aR et a oe ee ee eo More, even at that distance he observed that the chief was unmasked, while all about him still wore their masks, He determined to watch closely all that went on. Having been taken to a tree he was allowed the freedom of his hands, but a chain was locked around ono ankle and then made fast about the tree, Its length gave him a few feet to move about in, and his blankets were spread down for him, after which one of tha masked men brought bim some breakfast. He ate it with a relish, but saw that where the Bravos were eating they removed their masks, but kept their faces turned away from him, he noted them closely and came to the con- clusion that they were a band of desperadoes who would halt at no deed of villainy. The chief came tosee him during the after- noon, but Edgar Dumont saw that he Fad again masked his face, ‘**T wish you to tell me, young man, all about yourself,” ‘*T have nothing more to tell.” ** Who is this man you seek?” ‘An uncle,” ‘© What is his name?” ‘* Charles Kennerley.” ‘* He is a miner?” ‘é Yes,” ‘* How long has he been in the mines?” ‘For some years,’ ** You are from Texas?” cé Y es,’ ‘* Has your uncle struck it rich, as we say out in this country?” ‘*T guess he has, for be wrote for me to come and join him, and hinted as much,” ** And where is he?” “That [ have to find out, having lost the ad- Page but the guide knows him, and can find lim ** Well, I shall hold you for ransom and let the guide go ‘oD and look your uncle up. ‘I shall give him one month to find him in, and, at the ‘end of that time will kill you if ke does not return with the five thousand dollars I demand to let you go free, “Tf your uncle cares for you, he will surely not “di you die rather than pay the sum I de- want Kidgar Dumont was in a quandary. He knew well that the guide could never find a man who existed only in imagination, and as no one would be willing to put up five thousand dollars for his freedom, it was a pretty sure thing that he must aie, at the end of thirty days, if the Bravo chief kept his word, and he had every reason to believe that he would do so, Judging by what he knew of his deeds, - CHAPTER XVI. IS IT A PLOT? THE decision come to by Captain Brandt the Black Bravo, to send the guide after ransom money for him, again caused Edgar Dumont to feel that he had wronged his feliow-prisoner. The fact that he had been captured by the Black Bravos, was a cause of congratulation to Edgar Dumont, or would have been could he have seen any means of escape. Tf he could escape 16 would take him buta. very short while tc bring Detective Dave Cook and his men upon the outlaw camp. But, ironed as was, and with the knowledge that the guide was to be sent off on a foolish er- rand, as be well knew, brought the young Texan to a full realization of his dangerous situation, There before him was the men he believed to have been the murderer of his father, the de- stroyer of his home, and who bad made him al- most a penniless wanderer, his main desire to avenge his dead parent, The face of the man was masked: but Captain Brandt, the Bravo, hed done the cruel deed, and the one before him claimed to be that personage. He had kept bis identity from his enemy, who, in truth, migbt not know of bis existence, for Edgar knew of no early acquaintance be- tween his father and the Black Bravo. How he longed to have the situation between them rever sed, and thus have Captain Brandt in bis power. And so the youth was left to bis own painful reflections, so threw himself down upon bis blanket as though he desired to be alone. But his eyes were wide open, and he watched the departure of the chief. He saw him return to his own camp, and soon after he observed the guide join him there. Texas seemed to sneak there, as though not wishing to be seen by the youth, should he be looking that way. SN A LO CLL LOLI LD OL EG, AN A A —— ee ———sS —— —" a 7 - * Tt Beg . ’ - ar el Tals > \ » & Kats - 3 D ' 9 But stmt]: Bat Bague enw: thet Texas We saw that Texas was not in irons, and again bis suspicions were aroused. After spending half an hour, sitting down and talking to the chief; whom, from his position he saw was unmasked, the guide arose and left the spot, in the same ‘stealthy manner as he had gone there. When be came back he was in irons and ac- companied by a guard, while the chief, who came out of the wicky-up and joined him, had again resumed his mask, ‘Lhe three came directly toward the spot where Edgar Dumont was lying. As they advanced, the chief said: ‘Now, young man, give this man all the in- formation you can about your uncle, and how to find him, for he goes to save your life, “Tf he comes back with the ransom for you all right—you go free; but if he fails you, and me, then you die, and I shall hunt him to his death. ‘‘ Now tell him all you can about your uncle,” “He knows all that I can tell him,” was the repl of the young detective. Phen you have nothing to say to bim?” ** Nothing.” ‘*‘ Remember, your life is at stake,” ** So you said before.” “ And you cannot aid him to find your uncle?” YP! , employed him to aid me in my search for him,” A Well, guide, you are to go on your search with what know ledge you have, and as you say you know the man, you will find little trouble ip discovering him, I guess,” ‘* Pll do my best, you bet, fer I doesn’t want my young pard ter tarn up bis toes,” said the ruide, saa He will surely do so, unless you find his uncle,” ‘*Do you think my uncle, or any other man, would be such a fool as to trust the guide witb five thonsand dollars?” asked Edgar. ** He'll hi: ive ito do so, or he will never see his nephew alive,” ‘Then you might as well kill me now.” ‘‘T guess I kin persuade him thet ther dust has ter be put up fer yer, young pard,” chipped in the guide. After some further conversation, the chief ordered the guide to be blindfolded, and led to the canyon where the prisoners had heen taken, and there relieved of bis arms and horse, ‘‘ You better write your uncle a note,” sug- gested the chief at the last minute. ‘‘My hands are cramped from having been bound, so you write it and I wil sign it,” re- plied the youth, The chief sent for pen, ink and paper, and when it was brought fom his camp, he sat down and wrote, in a bold hand: “To CHARLES KENNERLEY, M'ner ;— ‘‘Srr:—I bave, as my prisoner, your nephew, Edgar Ke mnerley. and I demand a ransom for him of five thonsand dollars. ‘* Should it not be paid me by to-day one month, I shall put him to death. * If paid, I shall at once set him free, ** He will indorse this as»proof of “8 pl ar re- arding him, 4 rd * The Black ree! » Chief, » Across this Edgar wrote: “Uncite CHartes:—W hat the chief of the Black 3ravos states is true. anc I Leg you to save my life, for I will repay the debt some day. “EpGar KENNERLEY.” Having placed this paper in the hands of the guide, the chief bade the guard depart with him, and he walked away, not comprehending the pec uliar smile upon the face of the youth, who muttered to himself: ‘‘Having begun to play this miner uncle search I must play it to the end. ‘‘ Texas said he knew my uncle, so let us see him find the man who will pay the ransom demanded to keep me from being killed. ‘‘Somehow I believe they are playing pards in a game against me. ‘‘Well, just now, they hold the winning cards,” CHAPTER XVII. THE FALSE GUIDE. THatT Edgar Dumont had cause for his suse icions against the guide, the actions of the atter, when known, will fully prove, He had heard the story of the youth, as he told it at the mining tavern, and so bad seen his chance to make a “ stake ” for himself. If a life had to be taken to do so, well and good; what cared he, Satan’s Cub, for that? He knew the youth had money. with bim, Then there was his horse, bis equipmenta,