Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 661 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

— Pes, xo a * oi aa > ee i se? [ t i | | : “i « i i | + | , Banner Ben, the Wildfire of the Prairie. move a vote of thanks. Where and when, and how was the deed did?’ ‘* He was shot in the dark on the streets of Roaring Rocks a few nights azo. No one knew who did the shooting for it was all done under cover of darkness; but as I left camp a few minutes after the killing they may have found the killer before this.” ‘* Just so,” observed Jaguar Jim, facetiously. **T kind o’ catch on as to who did the good work.” ‘* But I have some bad news for you as well as good, Jim,” Doctor Gwynn said.” ‘‘ The death of Bandy was preceded a few minutes by the death of your leader, Captain Jubal Blood.” ‘Great Moses! that can’t be, doctor!” cried Jaguar Jim, ‘‘It’s so, Jim; he entered the camp in dis- guise, or rather under an assumed name, got in- to a dispute with an old ranchero called Old Compass, undertook to stampede the house as he did last week at Poverty Flat and Buzzard Bend by simply announcing his name; but Old Compass proved to be Old Kit Bandy, and be- fore he knew it Captain Jubal Blood was in Shackles. Along in the night Blood was killed while he and Bandy were closeted alone in a little room.” 3 ‘* Well, great terrors!” exclaimed Jaguar Jim, *‘if this isn’t a bad deal for the White Wolves, I don’t know wnat is. Did you mistrust any one of the shooting, doctor?’ “IT half mistrusted Bandy himself; but if he did the deed he’ll not repeat it again this side of judgment day. But, Jim, his death places you in command of the White Wolves.” Jaguar Jim became somewhat moody and thoughtful, and finally he and Doctor Gwynn Stepped aside and conversed in low tones several minutes. The prisoners, Ashmore and Burch, were evidently the subject of some of their talk, for as they turned to rejoin their friends, Gwynn was heard by Ashmore to say: ‘‘ You'd better keep them until Redtop George comes, He may be able to identify them.” Shortly afterward the doctor and the Indians took their departure, taking with them the prisoners’ horses, leaving the prisoners and their weapons with the outlaws. Kirt Kendig was buried where he had fallen on the banks of the river. Then the party sat down to await the coming of some one. The day passed away, and just about dark the party expected put in an appear- ance in the person of an old and most villain- ous-looking outlaw called Redtop George. And his coming was hailed with joy. He seemed to be regarded as an impcrtant personage for. some reason or other. After a short conversation with Jaguar Jim, he looked _ the prisoners over, but whether he recognized them the prisoners had no means of knowing. But finally Redtop George turned to Jaguar, and said: ‘* By the way, Jaguar Jim, I saw the light of a camp-fire on the other side of the river in the woods as I came down. It was ’bout a mile above here, and I think it’d be a good idea to make a reconnoiter in that direction.” se ainly would, Redtop,” affirmed Ja- guar, ‘‘and that at once, too, e don’t want to run any risk until the rest of our band has joined us, co we wenn — ae By this time it was quite dark and the ha bic aphero had thickened almost into a fog. gf Concealing their outfit and captured weapons in aclump of bushes the four outlaws took the prisoners into the bateau that lay near and em- barked for the opposite shore. _ At a point half a mile up the river, where the bank was low and the shadows of the overhang- ing trees deep and black, the boat was run ashore and partly beached. . Foyt Redtop George and two of his friends at once set off to make the desired reconnoissance, leay- ing Jaguar Jim to guard the prisoners, They had been gone about an hour when the report of fire-arms came from up the river, The outlaws had evidently gotinto a fight, and the .. prisoners could see that Jaguar Jim was sorely neasy about the fate of his friends. e sound of the conflict lasted but a few mo- ments, and then the silence that followed was fraughtwith the most painful suspense to both the prisoners and their guards. This lasted for nearly an hour when the sound of footsteps was heard approaching. Jaguar - Jim challenged the party and received this _ Startling answer: _, “‘It’s me, Redtop George, and the very devil’s el Wat now, Red |, Y bat now top?” asked Jaguar. | “We got into a fight with pone: Belted of an outfit up the river in the dark, and both Long Tim and ‘‘ Yorky ” aredown—wounded. Yorky gota shot through theshoulder or breast and Iex- pect he’ll die, if heisn’t dead before now. About ten rods from him lies Long Tim with a crushed thigh and can’t budge a peg. He also got a clip across the head which I tied up and come in for orders. I brought their shootin’-tools with me. Shall I tote the boys in or we go up to them?” ‘‘ It'll be safest to bring them to the boat and cross back to the other side of the river. [vea notion to shoot them prisoners and go with you, Redtop.” ‘* No, hold to ’em awhile yit, Jaguar; [ll bring the boys in, dead or alive. I told ’em to hang to the willows and 1’d be back.” ‘All right, Redtop; get in before dangers multiply around us. I hope the boys are not so bad as you think.” Redtop at once started off up the river. He was gone over an hour, finally returning witha limp and lifeless form in his arms, which he de- posited in the bottom of the bateau, saying: ‘*Dear me! there’s poor Yorky’s y and he’s deader’n Moses.” A frightful oath escaped Jaguar Jim’s lips. The villain seemed greatly discouraged and dis- heartened, as well as infuriated. ‘*I swear, Jaguar,” Redtop said, ‘‘ Yorky shall have a decent burial by Kendig’s side, and his death avenged! But I'll now go for Long Tim and then we'll git out of this.” So saying, Redtop George again mig. alae and stepping into the bateau , aon im es- sayed to look upon thé face of his dead friend but the darkness was so intense that he could see nothing, and so taking one of the prisoners’ blankets he threw it over the body and then stepped back upon the beach. While seriously meditating over the situation and the death of his friends, his ears were greeted bya groan. He listened. He heard heavy footsteps and knew that Redtop was approaching with Long Tim, from whose lips issued a low groan at every step. Advancing, he relieved the ‘almost exhausted Redtop of his burden, and as he laid the form of his wounded friend in the bateau he said sym- pathetically: ‘This is devilish cruel luck, Tim, isn’t it?” fae but a low groan of agony answered im. ‘Bear up, Tim, the best you can,” Jaguar Jim continued, encouragingly; ‘we'll cross back over the river to our supplies and there dress your wounds. A drink of old rye will help you to bear your pains.” Long Tim kept up a series of low groans. He sawed the air with his long arms and kicked out lustily with his well leg making it a little un- comfortable for those around him. Jaguar Jim and Redtop entered the boat, and. seating themselves pushed off from the shore. As they moved out into the water cro | Tim suddenly gave Jaguar Jim a drive in the breast with his heel that sent that worthy flying over- board into the river. And then; the next in- stant, the wounded man sprung to his feet and drove his fist with a resounding thwack into Redtop’s face, when he, too, went overboard up- on the head of the floundering, sputtering J ag- uar Jim, The prisoners, after the boat was out from the denser shadows of the shore, could see the out- lines of the outlaws and the citar move- ments of the wounded Tim, an they made up their minds that the man had gone mad with pain. When they saw him take up an oar they shuddered, for they expected to have their own skulls crushed wit it by themadman. But to their infinite surprise and joy he seated himself and drove the bateau down the river, leaving the two men floundering in the water. Something like a suppressed laugh fell upon the prisoners’ ears, It seemed to come from the lips of Long Tim. The situation was quite a puzzling one, and Harry Ashmore was in the act of speaking to the madman when the latter ceased raving, and leaning forward said, in a low tone: ‘“ Men, brace up, for deliverance is nigh, Be ci mg d foot,” respo arry, al es, hand and foot,” r nded H al- most dumfounded by the action of the man; “but you are not Long Tim—who are you?” No, I are not Long Timothy, but I managed. to insinuate myself into his place, and thereby Saved the labor 0’ walkin’ down here to rescue you folks. But who he you, anyhow?” ., My name is Harry, Ashmore, and—”,, Harry Ashmore, 0’ old Kentuck?” broke in the stranger, * Yes, but what do you know about me?” - ae. ea | s ‘*T know haydoogins ’bout you, boy.” ** Who are you?” ‘** My name’s Ka-ristopher Ko-lumbus Bandy —Old Kit Bandy fur short. CHAPTER V. KIT BANDY REBUKED FOR SLANDER. Harry ASHMORE and Bob Burch could scare- ly believe the evidence of their own eyes and ears. : ‘* What!” cried Harry, ‘‘ you Kit Bandy?” ‘* Me Kit Bandy, Mountain Detective.” _ ‘* Why, we heard to-day that you’d been killed —shot dead in Roaring Rocks camp over in the mountains,” ‘* Not a word o’ truth in it,” declared the old man, ‘‘and, what’s more, I can prove it’s a lie ee cloth. But let me liberate you, oys. ite arose, and reaching over, cut the prison- ers’ bonds, then he shook hands with them, and having resumed his seat, broke into a low, chuckling laugh. ‘* Well, really, this seems a little like a mys- tery,” declated’ Harry. ‘‘Ican hardly get the situation through my head—can’t see how you could fool those outlaws so cleverly.” ‘* That’s part o’ my business, boys, to fool people—’specially villains. My wife Sabina alers said [ was the dad-burnedest foolin forty- ‘leven precincts. But it occurred this way: I was in camp up the crick, and all to once I heard firing a short ways off, and made a rush in that direction forsome fun. But the firin’ ceased and I stopped. Just then I heard foot- steps approachin’, and I chellenged the un- known. The crack of a pistol and the whiz of a bullet was all the answer I got, but the way I did lam lead into that thicket was a caution to the natives. And I downed my man—shot him inthe thigh. How hedid howl! I laid flat on the ground and heard the fellers talkin’, I heard Red Top tell Long Tim that he’d report at the boat where Jaguar Jim had the ‘ two cap- tives’ in custody, and if Jaguar said so, he come back and carry him—Long Tim—and Yorky, the feller that got shot in the first fight, to the boat. While he was away I took care o’ Long grt and laid my own lovely form, clad in Timothy’s jacket and hat where he had laid them, and— well, herel am. The intense darkness had more to do in gittin’ me through than the metallic substance in my face. I know it war meen to deceive a man the way I did, but I couldn’t let sich a good opportunity slip. I thought 1’d die for wantin’ to laugh when that poor fool Redtop came lugging me through the woods, pantin like a worried steer and sweatin’ like an ech shower. This poor cuss is deader’n the mother o’ Adam; but when we git to light I wanta squint at hisface, I wantto find somebody that I know—don’t care whether he’s dead or alive. But now, men, as we drift in our gondola down this classic crick, give an account 0’ yourselves.” Harry Ashmore briefly recounted their adven- tures of the past few days, and when Old Kit had learned of the tragic death of Banner Ben he was deeply moved. The old man ina half- choked voice talked over the brave and daring youth’s merits—his bravery, his skill as a plains- man, and wild, impetuous spirit. While the trio were thus talking the moon arose above the lp and casta soft, weird light upon the river. For the first time and Burch now had a partial view of the face of the noted Kit Bandy, and both of them had to shake hands with him again. ‘*T see, Mr. anes, Harry at length said, ‘‘that you have your head bandaged.” : ‘* Yes, lad, for the forty-thousandth time since I became a married man,” replied Kit, with ap- parent seriousness. ‘*Are you a married man, Kit?” asked Bob Burch, in surprise. ‘Was, but am a fugitive now, and I know you wouldn’t blame me if you could see me in the daylight. I tell ‘you, by the horn o’ Old Joshua, that 'm the worst banged-up, marred and disfigured critter thut you’ve seed since ou looked upon the map o’ Europe. If it war light enough I could show you on my head there a regular coral reef whar my wife Sabina salut- ed me with a club, Over here on this side is a Mount Horeb bump where a flying dog-iron, catapulted from ’Bina’s hand, done its cruel work, and on this cheek is a devil’s gorge where a toy tomahawk flung by ’Bina’s little hand went in sock to the eye. Oh, I’m a wreck—a perfect ruins 0’ Babylon, the destruction o’ Hur- culaneum, the downfall o’ the Roman Empire. Gallonsand gallons 0’ Bandy blood has quenched the thirsty old earth thro’ ’Bina’s patriotism in pouring out loyal blood on the altar o’ ker coun- 4 3} “Com Cpool fr * . me 5 * ¢ v ‘ " yd = i ime od , é = . | > : ~