Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 656 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

| | | mci Butterfly Billy’s Man-Hu nt. 13 gade chief, and with the rein of the latter over his saddle-horn, After reaching the level plain, Buffalo Bill dropped back alongside of the prisoner and the three rode abreast, “How did it all happen, Billy?’ he asked after awhile. ‘‘ Well, it was my good luck throughout, for I started to warn Captain Rosafy that the force of red-skins was double what I had supposed, and that he had best not leave his vantage- _ pata te charge them, as they would be run own ‘¢ In the early dawn I did not notice some red- skins holding a number of ponies until 1 was upon them, and looking behind I discovered the rairie black with those who were in full flight rom the soldiers, and sol playeda trick, slipped the handcuffs I had with me upon my wrists, and pretended to be an escaped prisoner. "Tt took splendidly, and White Buffalo com- ing along I just went along witb him, and how we escaped death from Captain Rosafy’s am- bush is a miracle to me, for the bullets flew all about us, ‘‘But we did escape and I went on to the village with the chief,” and Butterfly Billy went on to tell the rest of his story, and how he had deceived the chief. “‘T tell you, Mr. Cody, it was refreshing to talk of the money 1 had intrusted to me and how I had robbed the Government of it. ‘*T agreed to all of the chief’s little plan to kill the Giant General, and I knew that I would have been his next victim, had I possessed the money I pretended to, **So having inveigled the chief to come with me, I simply got him at my mercy and made him prisoner.” ‘‘ Butterfly, you area brick, and if the men don’t go wild over your capture, I am much mistaken; but let me tell you to ride on now to the timber where the train was attacked, while Idash away to a point fivé miles away and leave a note on a tree there for Lieutenart Bar- den, who is to come there witha few men and await a call for me, ‘* They came by a circuitous trail through the foot-hills, so we cannot meet them; but my note will send them back to the fort, for they were to support me in my effort to free you, and will not reach the retreat before night. **{ will ride rapidly and overtake you at the timber, which was the scene of the White Buf- falo’s last fight.” ‘“* Pll wait there for you; Mr, Cody, for, as you came out after me, you must take me back with you,” and while Cody took a trail leading off to a distant range of hills, Butterfly Billy and his prisoner held slowly on toward the appointed rendezvous, Arriving there, he halted for rest and dinner, and by the time he had the meal ready Buffalo Bill arrived, his horse showing that he -had rid- den rapidly, “*T stuck the notice upon the tree, so it will be all right,” he said, and, after an hour’s rest, the three horsemen continued on their way toward the fort. It was near the sunset hour when the sentinel on duty in the tower reported three horsemen coming across the prairie toward the fort. The ny oe was soon varied by the news that one was Buffalo Bill, and next came the infor- mation that one of his companions was none other than Butterfly Billy, the Black Horse Rider of the Overland, Then it became known that the third one of the party was an Indian in his paint and feath- ers, a chief, the scouts said, and, by the time the three rode into the fort, all the garrison were there, Buffalo Bill had met with good fortune, and, far sooner than was expected, he had brought back the Pony Rider and had a prisoner also, The troopers under Lieutenant Barden had left Fort M—— at noon to go to the retreat, but they had taken another trail, so missed the three horsemen. Straight up to headquarters rode the three men, and, dismounting, they entered and were met by Colonel Carter, just as Mattie Carter rushed over to see Ivy Allen; and, almost breathless with joy, cried: ‘6 Ob, Iv7! Buffalo Bill bas rescued him!” “Well, Cody, back again, and successful, I see, ** Permit me to congratulate you upon your success, aud to welcome you back, Butterfl Billy,” said Colonel Carter, and be held fort his bands to each. 5 “I’m back, Colonel Carter, but the success is not mine, but Billy’s here, for be made his es- cape, bagged a most important prisoner, and captured me, too,” and Buffalo Bill laughed at all the remembrance, while White Buffalo mutter- ed a savage oath, and said: ‘You seem to enjoy the situation, , but it’s death to me,” ‘* And who is this man, Cody?” sternly asked Colonel Carter. ‘* Who is he, Butterfly, for he is your game?” asked the scout. ‘*Tbe man whom Buffalo Bill said was a pale- face, when he saw him at the head of the Indians in their attack on the supply train, Colonel Carter, and who is known to you as White Buffalo, the Chief of the Sioux.” **Great God! can this be possible?” asked the amazed officer. ‘*It is not only possible, sir, but true, as you will see when I tell you what I know of him,” answered Butterfly Billy, and he quickly told to Colonel Carter and Captain Allen, who just then entered the quarters of the commandant, the story of his adventure, visit to the Sioux village and the plot about the gold he had formed to capture the renegade chief, all of which the officers most attentively listened to, with fre- quent words of praise upon the you h’s pluck. ‘** Butterfly bas the laugh on me, colonel, for I went out to rescue him and he captured me,” said Buffalo Bill in his cheery way. **'Yes, Cody, but you did your duty and cer- tainly brought him back, and that is what you went for, so youcan find some comfort in that,” responded the colonel, and then he added: ‘** Now take our young hero to your quarters and primp upand then come both of you and dine with me, for I wish my daughter and Miss Ivy to hear the story from your own lips, for it is like a romance, ‘* Orderly, send the sergeant of the guard here for this prisoner,” and ten minutes after the renegade chief was in the fort prison, CHAPTER XXII. THE ALLY OF THE BLACK HORSE RIDER. WHEN the situation of Butterfly Billy’s going with the red-skius, apparently without being a prisoner, was explained at the fort, those who had held suspicion against him felt ashamed of themselves, and endeavored all in their power to make amends for it, or at least intended to do so, only the next morning they learned that the Pony Rider bad departed at midnight with dis- patches, There was not a man in the fort who did not rejoice in the capture of the White Buffalo, whose evil deeds had become a terror through the land, and when it became known that he was not a red-skin, but a renegade white man, one whose appearance and conversation showed that he had been born and reared in genteel society, the feeling of bitterness became in- tense. As for the prisoner, he paced to and fro in no enviable mood, gazing from the windows at either end of bis prison at every turn. He had been made comfortable, but he was placed under a treble guard, and the man who carried ‘his meals to him was always accom- panied by a soldier, so that there could be no underhand work done, Thus the days passed away, and one after- noon Butterfly Billy was seen coming like a bird across the prairie, He was mounted upon one of his fine blacks, and the animal came on at a terrific pace, Of course many thought the Black Horse Rider must be bringing some fateful news: but then others said that it was Butterfly Billy’s usual way of riding, Arriving at the fort the soldiers greeted him with three hearty cheers, which he responded to by doffing his scarlet cap and waving it over his head, > Then he sprung from his nek ie, horse and entered the quarters of Colonel Carter, who greeted him most cordially, as did also Mattie, who was with her father at the time, but I must say that she demurely entered the room only a short while before the arrival of the Black Hcrse Rider, having seen him afar off on the prairie, and recognized his black steed and gor- geous rere th ** Colonel Carter, I have news of the White Buffalo, sir, for in searching him I found sev- eral time-worn papers which gave me the ad- dress of certain old-time friends of his, and to these I telegraphed from Omaha, and received reply that Doctor Edward Orton was a fugitive from justice on two indictments, one for rob- bery, the other murder, and two persons are now on their way here, his former client and a detective to identify him. ‘They will come through on Bob Burt’s stage, sir, and I would ask you to kindly have an ambulance at the station to meet them.” “Certainly I will, and with this evidence, which you were wise cnough to get, and your own testimony, there will be no difficulty in bringing the renegade at once to trial, and that will mean an execution to quickly follow. ‘You would make an excellent detective, Butterfly Billy.” The youth smiled and responded: ‘*Thank you, Colonel Carter; but may I ask you to take my testimony as soon as these two witnesses arrive, for I have an important mat- ter on hand that I must attend to. ‘*Certainly; but are you off on some other desperate mission, my young friend?” ‘Frankly, sir, I have a scheme for the cap- ture of the Giant General.” “Ah! that is desperate work; but I hope you do not intend to beso rash as to undertake the capture of this man alone?” ‘* Yes, sir, for I can see my way clearer alone, asa number of men could do nothing where the Giant General is concerned, for he has allies people do not know of.” ‘*T have suspected it.” *T hope, sir, the capture of the renegade chief has not become known on the border.’ ** No, for I allowed no one outside of my staff and the guards to know just who the man was,” replied the colonel, and then Butterfly Billy tcok his leave and went over to the quarters of Buffalo Bill, where he always made his home when at the fort, In fact, he had become known as Buffalo Bill’s protege, and the scout regarded him with sincere affection. The scout had just returned from a prairie ride of a few days, and warmly welcomed the Black Horse rider back to the fort, “Well, Billy, what news?” he asked, with in- terest, for he seemed to feel that the youth had something to communicate, ‘* Well, Mr. Cody, there is news, for I traced the White Buffalo to his old home, and he is wanted there as well as here, and there will be two men here to-morrow to identify him, so that the general can, with my testimony, try the man,” ** And hang him.” “Oh, of course, for he richly deserves it, and my testimony will show what he is here.” ‘* And I also can swear that he is the man I saw at the head of the Sioux, if further corrobo- ration is needed, and found you bad as a pris- oner on your way from the Indian village.” ‘*Oh, yes, there is no escape for him; but if he was half a man I would feel sorry for him, but he is too mean and cruel to deserve a feeling of sympathy.” ‘“He certainly is, Butterfly, but you have something else to communicate?” “Yes, 1 wish you to help me as soon as this trial ends.” **In any way that I can I will gladly do so,” **T want you to dress me up as an Indian,” ce What?” Yes; Pll cut my hair short, and I have got a wig that is a perfect one for an Indian. ‘*Then I have a regular suit of buckskins, leggings, moccasins, and all, and the head-dress of a sub-chief. “The night I leave here I wish to have you dress me up so I can out-Injun Injun, for I have a dye that will stain my face, neck, hands and arms, so that they will be of the right hue, only it will Jast but a few days,” ** And what is all this for, Butterfly?” **T told you of what White Buffalo said about the Giant General being bis ally?” “< Yes.” ** Well, he has a dozen red-skins hiding alon the trail, who serve as a guard for him, and so + onglagyea! the General out and have a chat with m, ‘* Butterfly Billy, are you mad?” ‘No, Mr. Cody, I am in my sober senses.” ‘Tt is madness for you to think of doing such a thing as you propose.” ' No, Iam very cautious, as vou know, and I can accomplish wbat I wish, I am sure. “ At least I shall try it.” ‘* Let me go with you and it is a bargain.” ** Well, you can go if you will just keep in the back-ground, so as to help me out when I need “Til agree, so it’s a bargain,” was the re- sponse, and the two then began to arrange their plans for the dangerous undertaking which Butterfly Billy bad agreed upon, for the capture of the Lone Highwayman of the Overland. CHAPTER XXIIL THE RENEGADE’S TRIAL, THE ambulance was sent to the station, as Butterfly Billy requested, and the two men who eyefe)