Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 656 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

y os A 9552 4 = > * ‘ . ci a iy SA Nese aR: ie’ Butterfly Billy’s Man-Hunt. ote? PP »- mal 7 ‘ P| ‘ ~« 9 he believes Butterfly Billy as true as steel; but he says there is not a ray of hope for him in the maddened humor of the Sioux after their defeat, 30 all that can be done is torely upon the brave youth himself, and this, too, seems to be cling- ing to a straw, ‘Poor fellow !” ‘* Well, I say that there is hope, Ivy, for I have a plan to save him,” ‘You, Mattie”? and Ivy Allen opened her beautiful eyes in wonder, ‘Oh, yes, little one, and I’ll tell you my plot and see what you think of it; but will you let me send your father’s orderly to ask Buffalo Bill to come here?” ‘‘ Certainly,” and the orderly was called and sent after the scout, while Mattie divulged her ety toIvy Allen, for the rescue of Butterfly ill, CHAPTER XIV. A TRIO OF FRIENDS, THE orderly sent after the scout soon found him, and when Buffalo Bill heard that the sum- mons came from Miss Mattie Carter, to go to Captain Allen’s quarters, he was considerably surprised; but with the vanity natural to a much-admired man who is to meet ladies, he fixed himself up for bis visit, When he presented himself at the captain’s home, the scout looked his very best, and little like a man who the past few days had been fighting for life against fearful odds, Though not & commissioned officer, Buffalo Bill received the courtesy due one, and as chief of scouts was treated by all with consideration, Then, too, his brilliant career had caused him to be admired by all and to win many friends, A dashing man in every sense of the word handsome, an athlete, and utterly devoid of fear, he won all with whom he came 1n contact, while his intelligence, noble heart and wit, com- bined with a light-hearted devil-[-care manner, caused him to be a general favorite and the idol of hero-worshipers, Dressed in his picturesque border costume, and with his broad sombrero in hand, Buffalo Bill entered the parlor of Captain Allen, and yd Allen and Mattie Carter arose to greet 11m, ‘ Permit.me to congratulate you, Mr. Cody, upon your escape, and the laurels you bave won in your defense of the train,” said Ivy Allen, pleasantly. ‘‘ And accept my congratulations, too, Mr, Cody,” Mattie Carter added, ‘You are both very kind, young ladies, and I appreciate your goodness to me, as also the hon- or of knowing that you had sent for me.” This was a slight hint to know why he had been sent for, and Ivy Allen responded: _ ** Yes, sit down, Mr, Cody, for we wish to have a talk with you,” The scout seated himself and remarked plea-antly: . “‘T suppose you wish to hear of my young protege, the Pony Rider?” Both maidens gave him credit for hitting very near the mark at a first shot, and Mattie blush- ed, but said promptly: ‘Yes, I do wish to know about Butterfly Billy, because he saved my life, and Miss Allen is also anxious to hear of the one whose life she saved. ‘‘UWnder other circumstances I would have waited to hear all that had happened; but it is hinted that Butterfly Billy is a traitor, and was seen with the red-skins in full flight, and was not a prisoner, 80 we wish to hear your opin- ion.” ‘‘ Butterfly Billy is no more a traitor than yoa are, Miss Mattie,” was the prompt reply. Then the scout continued: “There is a mystery about the boy I admit, and no one seems to have solved it; but look at his record as a Pony Rider, and see if such a‘ man could g° wrong. : ‘‘ Ho left here over a year ago as mysteriously as he came, and now, without warning, again turns up as an Overland Rider, , ‘‘He came to the fort asa bearer of dispatches, heard firing while on the way, investigated if, took in the situation and acted as a guide to Captain Allen and his relief corps.”. “Did you see him, Mr, Cody?’ asked Ivy Allen, ** Yes, on the field?” Mattie added, “‘ Yes, I saw him in the early dawn, when the Sioux were in full flight.” l ‘* Before they entered the ambush of Captain Rosafy ?”’ ‘* Yes, Miss Mattie, and he was then in the midst of the Indians,” ‘* A prisoner?” ‘* He did not appear to be, I admit.” ‘* Did you see him after passing the ambush?” ‘*T did, ahead, by the side of the chief, whom I took to be a white man.” “Others did not think so.” “True, but Lam perhaps more familiar with the ways of Indians than they are, and Ill wager my scalp-lock the chief was a pale-face beneath his red paint.” ‘‘ And Butterfly Billy was with him!” ‘*'Yes, Miss Ivy.” ‘Tf he is a prisoner they will kill him?” ‘*T regret to say that they will,” ‘Torture him to death?’and Mattie Carter spoke anxiously, ‘s"¥ es,” *‘ Then he cannot be saved?” Buffalo Bill shook his head and replied: ‘*Tt will be no easy task; but I had decided to. make the attempt to save him.” ‘‘ Father says his force cannot do it,” “Strategy can often do what strength is powerless to perform,” : ‘** But will it not be too late, Mr. Cody?” ‘““No, Miss Ivy, not to make the attempt, for they will take him to their village and pass a few days in mourning for their dead, and then seek revenge upon him.” ‘‘How would you go about it, Mr, Cody™ asked Mattie. ** Alone, or perhaps with one of my best men, and‘ having @ company of cavalry in a retreat to fall back on.” ‘‘The risk you run will be very great, Mr. Cody.” | ‘* Yes, but the youth saved my life, along with the lives of all with the train, and he would face death I know to do it again.” ‘*Mr, Cody,” suddenly said Mattie, with an abruptness that startled both, ‘‘I have an idea, ‘Give us the benefit of it, Miss Mattie,” said the scout with a'smile, ‘* You took some prisoners in the fight?” ‘Yes, Some wounded warriors, and a sub- chief,” ‘* How many?” ‘* Thirteen,’ ‘Will they die?” ‘‘No, I think hardly any of them are seri- ously wounded.” “Why would it not be a good thing to go to the Sioux village and offer those men in ex- change for Butterfly Billy?” ‘‘Miss Mattie, you have a soldier’s head on your shoulders, for you propose the very thing to do, and I never thought of it, nor do I believe any one else in the fort,” “But how will you get to the Sioux village, Mr. Cody, for the Indians would rather have your mei A than capture Fort M——I verily believe,” Ivy Allen remarked. ‘“ T will find a way; Miss Ivy.” ‘‘ When will you start?” ‘J will see Colonel Carter and get his permis- sion to make the exchange, and then depart to- night, ‘* But what a fearful risk you will run,” Mat- tie said gt csomge ‘‘ Ah, Miss Mattie, duty demands the risk every day of my life, and I certainly would give much to save that nobleb oy. ‘* We three are his friends, and such a trio ought to win, and we will, ‘¢T will at once see Colonel Carter.” ‘“‘ And if Carter refuses, just come back for Miss Allen and I, and welll force him to strike his colors,” and the scout left the two maidens with every hope from them for his success. CHAPTER XV. BUFFALO BILL’S MISSION. SEATED in the window of the Allen home, Ivy and her pretty friend Mattie watched the tall form of Buffalo Bill as he wended his way to headquarters. They saw the sentinel admit him, and then half an hour passed and darkness was creeping over the scene when he reappeared, Would’ Colonel Carter refuse, and the scout have to come and seek their aid as pleaders? No, he did not come toward the Allen quar- ters, but. walked away toward his own cabin. Putting on their wraps, the two maidens began to walk up and down near the stockade gate, for the scout had said that he would.go at once. They wished to see him as he passed out and to bbs him again God speed in his perilous mis- nD. He was going to save Butterfly Billy’s life at the risk of his sa , y Then, after waiting half an hour, a form ap- peared, coming toward them, ‘Why, Ivy, and you, Miss Mattie, what are you doing here?” It was Captain Allen, and be was going to his qnarters. ‘* Papa, we have enlisted Buffalo Bill in the perilous work of attempting to save the life of the Pony Rider, Butterfly Billy, and we were waiting to see him start and wish him good luck,” frankly said Ivy Allen, who never hid anything from her father. ‘* Ah! that is it, is it? ‘¢T see now why Cody was so determined, for I just came from his quarters, where I went to’ urge him not to make so foolhardy an attempt. ‘** Colonel Carter told me of his determination to go to the Sioux village and seek to exchange the wounded braves we have for Butterfly Billy, and he urged strongly against it, for Cody is worth a regiment, and is no man to lose, ‘** But the colonel granted his request as hé was so eager to go, and then asked me to go and urge Bill against it, and I did so.” ** With what result, papa?” ** He will start within the hour, socome back home to supper, and I will send my orderly to have him stop by on his way, and we will again talk it over.” ‘* You think it a foolhardy thing to attempt, Captain Allen?” asked Mattie. ‘* Yes, I do think so; but then I have the ut- most confidence in Cody.” ‘* And what do you think of Butterfly Billy not having gone with the Sioux as their pris- oner?” ‘*That he is playing some game that we do not see through; that is all there is to it.” ‘IT told you so,” cried Mattie exultantly at this, and she could have kissed the handsome old sol- dier then and there, but she did not, doubtless greatly to the regret of the captain, had he known her half-formed intention. Mattie went home to tea with Captain Allen and Ivy, and an orderly was sent to Colonel Carter to come over and join them, which he did, As they arose from the table the scout was announced, and entered the parlor in his full attire for the trail, He looked every inch a scout, and as they gazed into his fearless, resolute face, and re- called the remarkable career of the man, they knew that he was the one to make the bold attempt that he was starting upon. ‘Well, Cody, you are determined to go, I see?” said Colonel Carter, gazing upon his chief of scouts with considerable admiration, ‘* Yes, sir, and [ wished to say, Colonel Carter, that if the company’‘start any time in the morn- ing it will be time enough, and Texas Jack will guide them tothe retreat that I spoke of, and where can go if pursued, or am in need of ‘All right, I will have Captain Rosafy go with his men, and carry a week’s rations, as you may be delayed longer than you think, ‘*We desired you to come to-night, to wish you good fortune, and say that we hope to see ren back again soon with that handsome young -ony Rider accompanying you.” ‘‘T hope so, sir,” and shaking bands good-by with the Colonel, Captain and two maidens, Buffalo Bill left the house, mounted his waitin horse and rode away in the darkness, follow by silent prayers that came from Mattie Carter's inmost heart, **Luck to you, Cody,” said the officer of the day as the scout rode by him, and the sentinel at the gate said with a rich brogue, for all knew his dangerous mission: “Til be after giving ill, Misther Buffalo wishes,” Buffalo Bill Jaughed and returned the salute, and heading out over the trackless prairie, started upon his mission of rescue. The scout was too well accustomed to mid- night rides alone, over prairie and mountains, to have any dread of danger. His horse was one who knew his master as well as the master did the horse, and was thor- oughly trained, while his speed had given him fame wherever he was known, Thoroughly equipped for a jaunt of days, with his trusty repeating-rifle and revolvers, he felt equal to any ordinary danger and bardship he would have to encounter, He pa along over the trail to the timber, where he had mae the gallant defense with the train, and his horse shied from the joey of new-made graves as though he saw there the yez a presint arms show yez my good ‘spirits of the daad., On through the valley, where Captain Rosafy had ambushed the flying red-skins, and thence on into @ mountain canyon where he knew he