Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 617 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

14 cool Ralph, the Death-Shot Scout. | i A | readiness to be on the move, and leaving a guard over their horses, the long line of war- Tiors glided silently away, with Death Trailer and Red Lily at their head, and looking like grim specters of the mountains going toa car nival of death, After several miles were passed over the column came to the river-bank, where the half- breed guide plunged boldly in and struck out for the other shore. Silently and fearlessly Death Trailer, the Red Lily, and the line of warriors followed, they having left all unnecessary apparel bebind them in camp, and with their weapons held above their heads with one hand, they swam boldly for the other shore. Death Trailer was thoroughly prepared for just such an emergency, and his rifle and revol- ‘vers were securely bound up in oil-skin, which wholly protected them, so that he could aid the Red Lily. But the maiden swam like a fish, and needed no aid, and arrived upon the other shore as ready for the fray as any warrior of her band, Here the line came to a halt, while Death ‘Trailer and a dozen braves, guided by the half- breed, moved upon the outlaw picket, stationed only a short distance away. At this point the river wound against the mountain-side, which overhung itin a precipice, hundreds of feet in hight. Into this wall of rock wasa narrow chasm, worn by a small stream, that had worn its way deeper and deeper each century, until it had cut the cliff almost in twain, Into this cut Death Trailer and his small band glided, and after a short scramble over the slip- pery rocks came to the pathway which wound up the hillside. Here was stationed the outlaw picket of four men, and unmindful of danger three slept on their blankets, while the fourth stood lazily leaning against a tree. From the dark mouth of the gulch sprung the dark forms, with cat-like spring, and each out- law found himself in a grasp of iron, The struggle was short, savage, and ended in the death of the four outlaws. Silently the deed had been done, and then Death Trailer dispatched a warrior to bring up the band, for the secret entrance to the strong- hold had been won. OHAPTER XXII. THE DEATH-STRUGGLE. Like grim specters the warrior band glided up ‘the steep pathway, until through a ravine in the hillside they came in view of tke plateau. All was quiet in the outlaw camp, and only in the quarters of the Bravo Chief was a light visible, Having arranged his plan of attack, Death Trailer turned to bis beautiful ally, and said: ‘* Now comes the work for warriors—let the Red Lily remained concealed here until the belts of her braves are heavy with scalps.” ‘¢The Red Lily has no squaw’s heart—she will go with her braves,” proudly returned the maiden, and seeing that remonstrance was use- less, Death Trailer yielded consent. ‘ Then he selected fifty of the warriors to lead against the Bravo Chief’s quarters, and divided the remainder into three bands to attack the cabins of the men, Then, with yells that echoed and re-echoed through the valleys and mountains, the band of braves dashed from their covert. to the work before them. Leading his men directly upon the Bravo's quarters, Death Trailer soon sprung, rifle in band, upon the piazza and dashed into the cabin. Here a dozen guards, though taken by sur- rise, rose up and poured in a volley which rought down several Comanche braves, while their comrades hurled themselves fiercely upon their foes, Then the carnage beganin earnest, the out- laws were aroused and rushed forth, arms in hand to repel the attack, and incessantly roared the fire of rifle, and was heard the yell of tri- umph, or shriek of despair. o add to the turmoil, the hurrahs of the troopers, and the rattle of their pistols were heard as they charged and carried the ford, while a circle of fire almost surrounded the stronghold as the different squads of pickets moved tothe attack of the outlaw guards in their front. Presently a en light shot up from several of the outlaw cabins, and the fire-fiend reveled amid the scene of carnage, and shed its lurid glow over the whole scene. Dashing hither and thither were riderless horses, and droves of cattle, bellowing in fright, rusbed over the plateau, trampling down women and children, mad with fear. Upon the borders of the thickets, behind large trees, and from the cabins flashed forth the rifles of the assailed and assailants, while above all rung the wild war-cries of the Comanches, and the cursing and shouts of the outlaws, All was a chaos of confusion, a death revel un- til suddenly the clear notes of a bugle was heard and from the timber back of his cabin, dashe: the Bravo Chief and two-score of his men, who half an hour before had ridden off on a recon- noissance around his line of pickets. ‘You fight with your necks in a halter, so at them for youlives,” rung out the stern voice of the Bravo Chief, and cheered by his presence the outlaws rallied, retreated to the cabin and here made a stand, Seeing the movement of the Bravo Chief, and knowing that if he gained the position it would give him a great advantage, for it commanded the plateau, and the cliff would be at his back, and the cabin in his front, Death Trailer called upon his warriors to drive them back, and rapid- ly their rifles rung out. But the impetuous charge of the outlaws was irresistible, and the scout felt that the Bravo Chief would carry all before him, so hecalled to his braves to hold them in check as long as pos- sible, and then endeavor to join their comrades fighting at the cabins of the men. Calling to the Red Lily to follow him, he dart- ed into the quarters of the chief, and the next in- stant was face to face with Kate Linville, who, pale, alarmed and trembling, stood silently by an open window, ‘¢ Miss Linville, I have come to save you,” cried the scout and heseiz2d the fair form in his strong arms, bounded through the open door and sped along the base of the cliff, closely followed by the Red Lily. After a run of several hundred yards he reached the thicket at the top of the path, Jead- ing into the valley below, and here he balted. ‘‘ Miss Linville, here you will be safe—remain here until my return, and the Red Lily of the Comanches will protect you.” “The Red Lily of the Comanches will protect | the White Lily of the pale-faces,” replied softly the Indian maiden, and as she spoke there came the tramp of iron hoofs, and like an avalanche there rushed by a squadron of troopers, with Colonel Linville at their head. ‘‘ My father! my father!” cried Kate, but he heard her not, and the column swept on in the headlong charge. A moment after the Death Trailer darted away, and inthe glare of the burning cabins Kate and the Red Lily saw him join the troopers, mount the steed of one who bad fallen, and then his wild war-cry rung outas he led the charge upon the cabin. A most desperate struggle now ensued, for the outlaws were now all congregated in and around the cabin, and at the base of the cliff, while their foes, both troopers and Comanches, were now allied in the attack, and were two to oneagainst them. But the Bravo Chief was no man to yield tame- ly, and Jetermined To sell bis life dearly. Then, as Kate Linville and the Red Lily watched with straining eyes, they saw_ the Death Trailer reach the cabin, followed by a few troopers and Comanches, and the next mo- ment they were met upon the piazza by the Bravo Chief himself, his sword in one hand, a revolver in the other, Then the two sides mingled, the war-cry of the scout arose above the din, and the red and the white maidens saw no more—all was a scene of confusion, carnage and desperation, CHAPTER XXIV. THE BRAVO CHIEF. ‘‘GreatT Heaven! who is that man?” cried Death Trailer, as he sprung upon the piazza and was met by none other than Rodney Radcliffe, his eyes ablaze, his sword dripping, and his re- volver rattling forth death-knells, ‘Tt Bravo Chief—me know ’im; me kill im!” replied thé half-breed guide, who was by his side, and as he spoke he raised his lance as though to run bim through, But the Death Trailer struck down his lance, and cried: “Tf the Bravo Chief is Rodney Radcliffe, he is my game !” ; Then rung out the wild war-cry, and spring- ing forward, the knife-blade of the scout clashed against the sword of the Bravo Chief, Both men knew that the death-struggle for one, perhaps both of them, had come, Two braver men never met, nor two of grander physique, or of more striking appear- | shot him. ) | prison, sentenced him to death, and when he ee + Se ee = ance, and involuntarily both sides fell back to leave the two to fight to the bitter end, But the scout was not desirous of a lull in the combat, and with the spring of a tiger was upon his foe, and the death-struggle began—ended, and Death Trailer arose—the victor. His knife had sunk deep into the side of the Bravo Chief. Dismayed at the loss of their leader, the prai- rie brigands turned to fly. The joy of the Comanche braves was complete, for they bound- ed after them like bloodhounds, and loud and wild arose the despairing sbriek of a victim up- on every side until at length the noise of conflict diea away, the shouts of the troopers, the yells of the Indians ceased, and only the hum of the victors’ voices broke the silence, Into his own room the Bravo Chief was borne, sorely wounded and dying; but his active brain was yet at his command, and his flashing eyes roved eagerly over the faces of his conquerors, ‘Scout, I would see Miss Linville. Tell her to come to me,” he said in a firm voice, The Post Scout sent after the maiden, and beckoned to Colonel Linville to approach, for in another part of the fray he had just heard of the fall of the leader of the outlaws. ‘‘ What! that man the Bravo Chief? Why that is Rodney Radcliffe!” cried the old officer in surprise. ‘‘T am Rodney Radcliffe, the Bravo Chief—I played a deep game, old man, and I lost,” re- plied the wounded man, while Colonel Linville in silent surprise stood near, A moment after Kate Linville and the Red Lily cam? into the room, The daughter was infolded in. her father’s arms—both too bappy to speak, ‘‘ You have a lifetime before you. I stand on the brink of the grave—listen to me,” almost rudely said the Bravo Chief, and Kate gazed timidly upon him, while she trembled violently. ‘‘ Kate Linville, I would have you know who Iam; I would bave your tather know why I so dogged your path. Colonel Linville,” and the chief seemed to speak with great difficulty, “do vou remember Lieutenant Rodney Rol- land?” ‘‘ He who killed bis commander, deserted, and went to Mexico, where it was said he became a plotter against the Government, which after- ward captured and shot him?” ‘‘Yes: but the Mexican Government never They captured him, confined him in escaped gave out that he was shot. Colonel Lin- ville, my right name is ftodney Radcliffe Rol- land !” * What!” ‘True, Tit was who freed a number of Mex- ican prisoners condemned to death, organized . them into a band, and became the terror of the Rio Grande. As I grewin strengthof numbers, and settlements dotted this frontier, 1 came hither and established my fortress, and here I have held a power which you well know, Yet, although an outlaw chief, 1 have managed to steal away in dull seasons for my own enjoy- ment, and, three years ago, when visiting in the city, [ met and loved your daughter. I was re- ported rich, supposed to be of good family, and had the entree into society, and had I won the love of your daughter J would have given up my evil life, But she refused my offer, though admitting that she liked me asa friend. Then it was I plotted to secure her anyhow, and ar- ranged with a young girl to pretend to be my sister, and I entered her at the Academy where Kate Linville was at schoo), and the two be- came great friends. The following year 1 was again in the city, and then, by the aid of my supposed sister, Florence, at a pleasant little grathering one evening, I proposed a mock mar- riage with Kate Linville, and after considerable hesitation she consented, and a paid tool of mine, but a minister of the Gospel notwithstanding, performed the ceremony.” ‘*Great Heaven! did you do Kate this wrong?” eried Colonel Linville, while the maiden stood like a statue, a face as white as snow, ‘‘ We were really married, Kate believing ita mock-marriage; but, I quickly undeceived ber, pleaded my love as an excuse, and told her of my whole plot. To my surprise, she banished me forever from her presence, forced me to take the girl, Florence, from the school, and thus we parted, to meet again at the fort, where I visit- ed you under a forged letter to gain possession of my wife. Having failed once, to capture-her, or have my men capture us both, through the remarkable pluck of that man, I bided my time until 1 was at last successful. When your mes- senger, the scout, offered me ransom, yesterdays I refused, for I bad laid a plan which wa ai bo). / > Ti ; 4 f yp. BS s . Y ’ Ze) Ua ee | , fe By Mg | } rT @ 0 e) YY " Be)» ee 4 A 4 : F : 4 7 s ‘ | BL Pt : iS) eS « % - : , . a * L_ ’ £ - Lf ‘ = : , pian OTR He eth Aldle MA: heh) Das» iE aN de AN LT oy | a BP RN eo a peat VA CM SAN St a aA vale AD! tt SP ants: