Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 661 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

——_ oo | | ’ ' é ~ ~ . ~ r - +) Banner Ben, the Wildfire of the Prairie. 7 laws wouldn’t ’a’ gone to so much trouble,” Banner explained. ‘*The dead man was the one you kicked to death when you shot over into the river.” ‘‘Jewhango! is that so? But say, Harry, where’s Kit Bandy and—”’’ ‘‘Here, by the horn o’ old Joshua!” came the old detective’s voice, and at the same moment he strode from the shadows and grasping Ben’s hand, continued: ‘‘ I’m dumfounded, boy, God bless your dirty face! I laid in the shadders there and listened to your story, and I now pro- clamate that you’re the Banner Boy o’ the West.” **'What’s up here now? has Kit Bandy tooken one 0’ his asylum spells?’ asked a voice from the shadows, and then Old Tom Rattler appeared upon the scene. ‘No, Rattler, you festive old buccaneer,” an- swered Kit. ‘‘ I’m only welcomin’ Banner Ben- jamin back to earth, as you’ll be welcomed in lophet when you leave this earth. Come for’d, Rattler, you superstitious Bedouin, and agitate the boy’s hand.” ‘* By the great Rosycrusians!” exclaimed Rat- tler, in astonishment, ‘‘if it isn’t Banner Ben, I’m an old sinner! Why, boy, you young, un- tamed tempest, |’m as glad to see you as I’d be to hear poor old Bandy even whisper a truth before he dies! Whar on yearth ye come from? You look as though you’d been wallered by a cyclone.” Again Ben narrated his adventure and escape. ‘*Do yeu hear that, Kit Bandy?” asked Rat- tler, when the boy had concluded. ‘Say, old man with the lamentations, whar’s the boy that - ever hopped that can beat our Wildfire Ben? Show me the old ganglin’-legged detective that ever dreamed o’ doin’ sich deeds as our Boy Epi- demic here goes through with every day asa musclefier! But, Banner Benjy, I’m hallalujer- ous glad to see you alive again—so Mosaic glad to greet you that I don’t know which end’s up hardly.” ‘*So fur as brains is consarned it don’t make much difference, Tom Rattler,” suggested Old Kit, with a chuckle. ‘*Not when ’sociatin’ with you, Kitsie, es- pecially,” rejoined Rattler; ‘‘ but now, boys, the missin’ cog is in posish, and won’t we make it epidemic-hillfirish for the red-rinds and out- laws? Won't we ladle out purgatorian pass- orts to the varlets with the prodigality that andy dispenses double-staked-and-ridered worm-fence stories to them as don’t know he’s an antipodal foreigner to the truth? Won’t we sweep like an untamed tempest down on—” ** Zip-bang!” It was the passage of a bullet close to Rat- tler’s ear, followed by the crack of a rifle on the other side of the river that cut short the voluble old hunter’s words, and the next moment tbe five had vanished into the shadows of the grove, while all became quiet as the grave save the gentle murmuring of the river and the far-off chattering of coyotes. ' /, CHAPTER WII. FAWN-EYES AND SINGING-BIRD. By the time Jaguar Jim and Redtop George had reached the shore and got their lungs suffi- ciently clear of water to speak, the bateau was not only out of reach, but out of sight, also, in the eer pge pertain’ ~ ‘“‘Fiends and furies!” gasped Jacuar Jim: ‘¢ what does this mean, Redtop?” or pe ‘*T s’pose it means that I, Redtop George, am a heroic idiet!” was the other’s self-convicting answer, as. he rubbed his half-broken jaw where Bandy had ‘‘tapped” him. ‘Do you know, Jim, that that last fellow I carried In from the woods was Kit Bandy, the Mountain Detective, ad of Long Tim?? _ instead ~ “Holy furies! you don’t say, Redtop!” ‘Yes; I reco his voice, for, after he’d upset me, he spoke in his natural voice. I'll never forgit his yawp, for Kit Bandy once got me an appointment for five years in the employ of the Government for lookin’ at some mail mat- ter once.” ‘Then Gwynn’s story of Bandy’s death was 2 uncolored lie.” _““It was a mistake, atany rate. I don’t be- lieve that old imp will ever die. I don’t believe he could die if he wanted to. I believe he’s the original old devil himself.” ; ‘Tf he was mistaken in Bandy being killed maybe he is, also, in Captain Blood being shot. rge, to make sure you toted in that old purgatorian, let us hurry up the river and look for Long Tim.” “Allright, Jaguar; but I don’t expect to find ‘Tim alive” The two discomfited villains arose and started ’ ‘be ~~ wie i , Mee ie 2 + - r + , ' « : Sts ‘ Pe | 4 \-" -_ . ‘ ; ' > ’ “45 oe teh et Peta jit ot) ; Ws off up the stream. They finally came to the scene of the conflict, and after hunting about for an hour or so they not only found Long Tim’s body, but that of Yorky also. This discovery threw Redtop George into a perfect fitof rage. His eyes fairly glowed in the darkness with bie age me fury. e cursed Bandy, himself and the darkness. Turning to J aguar, he hissed out: ‘‘ Jaguar Jim, knife me! I deserve to die, and you’re a coward if you don’t kill such a hopeless idiotas Lam! Both of them bodies I lugged to the boat were enemies’, though I am sure the first one was dead. Curses on this gloom! It’s the devil’s own friendly cover! [ll never hear the last of this.” ** Redtop, a most ridiculous and unfortunate blunder has been committed, but if you'll keep quiet [ll say nothin’ ’bout it, for it will bring mein with you. Now, I’m heartily in favor of gittin’away from here. This placeis unhealthy —it’s cursed. ‘* Where shall we go?’ “To Standing Rock and join Bracelets and the other boys. There’s no use in our foolin’ around here now. If it proves true that Jubal Blood is dead, I will take up his fallen mantle and carry out the scheme he has been working on of late. Then the White Wolves can share the proceeds equally, but we have first got to get the girl out of o d Stooping Bear’s clutches, and that, too, without his knowing it, before we talk of proceeds. Come on, Redtop.” Acting upon Jaguar’s suggestion, the two at once set off toward the mountains. ‘¢This would be a pretty spectickle to the eyes o’ men and gods,” said Redtop, in evident mor- tification and disgust, ‘‘to see we two great ‘White Wolves’ sneaking away like whipped and ducked curs, without an available firearm with three friends left behind dead, while all the satisfaction we have had is in seein’ one nimble-heeled runt of a boy drowned. Jaguar Jim, you and I both have the reputation of be- ing fertile-brained liars, but can we both con- coct a story out of our adventures down here and the death of our three friends, that’ll add luster to our fame as White Wolves?” - The two villains could talk of but little else than their inglorious defeat as they trudged along through the darkness. Without a moment’s stop they journeyed on all night, and about sunrise next morning they came to Standing Rock in the mountains, where they found a party of six friends encamped in a canyon, or rather in a densely-wooded pocket of the canyon ees The leader of this party was known as Bracelets, who was the very pic- ture of a shrewd and cunning desperado. Around each of his wrists was an iron bracelet —the remains of a pair of handcuffs with which he had, at some time, escaped from an officer of the law. The chain had been removed, but the bracelets he left on his wrists, taking as great pride in them as a maiden in her jewels. The party furnished the two tramp ‘‘ Wolves” some breakfast, and after their repast they held a consultation. Jaguar Jim aod Redtop suc- ceeded in covering themselves with glory in the lie they told of their adventures and loss down the river. The news of Jubal Blood’s death was confirmed by Bracelets’ party, one of whom had te the captain after he had received the fatal shot. Finally the next move was discussed. All ye Nea in doing their utmost to carry outa great scheme, whatever that was, that had been con- ceived by Jubal Blood. The outlaws were on friendly terms with Stooping Bear, the Sioux chief, and his followers, and yet it seemed neces- sary for the success of their plans, that they must invade, either stealthily or in the guise of friends, the precincts of the Indian village. And when there, the successful accomplishment of their plans was of such a character as to incur the savage vengeance of the Sioux, should they be detected in their villainy. To escape this dan- ger-was the point most in discussion, and while it was still under consideration they discovered a party of fully three-score savages moving up the vailey in the direction of the Sioux village. ‘*That’s Panther Tail and his followers, by the. saints!” exclaimed Jaguar Jim. ** As big a lot of red and white cut-throats as ever skulked in these ’ere mountains,” declared Bracelets, : . But while they are our friends they’re the Sioux’ mortal enemy,” observed the crafty Ja- guar, ‘‘ and can’t you see where we could make them useful? Having to operate against Stoop- ing Bear’s camp and confidence, we might throw all blame onto them renegades and outlaws. What say you all; shall I hail them?” “Yes,” was the answer of all. But they did / y* ; i not have to hail the red skins, for the lynx-eyed guide, a few paces in advance, discovered the presence of the outlaws in the ‘‘ pocket,” and at once called a halt and all joined their white friends. Panther Tail was an outlawed Sioux Indian— as cruel and merciless a savage as ever went un- hung. His followers were mostly Indians made up of various tribes, and, like himself, outlawed. There were a few American outlaws and several Mexicans in the party. All were well-armed | and mounted, and the crafty Jaguar Jim had not talked with Panther Tail five minutes before he had wormed from the chief the admission that he—the chief—was then going on a horse and cattle stealing expedition to Stooping Bear’s mp. These outlaw red-skins remained in the can- yon until the middle of the afternoon, and when they moved on, Jaguar Jim and his friends ac- companied them. About an hour of sunset they encamped back in a wooded defile about three miles from Stoop- ing Bear’s village. This was to be their base of operations, and scouts were at once sent out to reconnoiter the situation, note the surroundings of the village, and ascertain the exact feeding- grounds of the Sioux’s horses and cattle, and their number. Jaguar Jim and Panther Tail, restless spirits that they were, could not remain idle, and so finally strolled off up the river in the gathering shadows of aod evening. They were all of a mileand a half from the Sioux village when their ears were suddenly greeted by the low, plaintive notes of a female voice ee ay ot in singing. Quickly the outlaw and savage crouched in theshadows with both eye and ear on the alert. The voice of the singer seemed to come from out on the river, and carefully parting the bushes the two listeners looked out over the wa- ter. Both gave a slight start as they did so. In the middle of the stream they beheld a bark canoe drifting at the will of the current. It contained two occupants and both of them were females—dusky Indian maidens, dressed out in all the quaint, barbaric finery and _ jewels of princesses of royal blood. Panther Tail noted this fact with manifest joy, while Jaguar Jim feasted his eyes ey them with the expression — i of one in doubt on his face. ‘* Ugh!” ejaculated the chief, in an undertone bis little snakish eyes were like beads of fire, ‘‘ must be Stooping Bear’s girls.” By murder! Panther Tail, that’s a splendid pair,” whispered Jaguar Jim, ‘‘ but I do believe one o’ them’s a white girl stained up like a red- skin. Look close, Panther, and tell me what you think ’bout it.” Bias, ‘‘Guess youright—one sing like bird in tree white girl. Ingin girl Stooping Bear’s daughter —me ruther have her than all the Sioux cattle, all Sioux ponies—break Stooping Bear’s heart— then Panther Tail be happy—me take her— white man take white girl.” ‘*T’ve got two wives now, Panther, but still I wouldn't mind takin’ that gal a prisoner if we could get a hold of ’em. I think she is no other than the very girl that we wanted to git away from Old Stooping Bear. ew! isn’t she a charmer onasing?— Ah! by ang 04 ! see there! they’re heading this way. Mr. Tail”—and the outlaw nudged the barbarian in the side, ‘‘ your squaw is coming right over here into your arms, © you old beauty.” ! True enough, the maiden, whom Panther Tail had said was an Indian, and who handled the ‘paddle, turned the canoe toward the shore, wholly unconscious of the presence of those t so human tigers lying in ambush on the bank. © _ When they came nearer the shore Jaguar Jim could easily see that one of the girls was a white girl, though her skin had been colored to a nut-brown. oth were girls of cagpi se .beauty of form and face. Neither one coul have been over wey Pe years of age. Their dress, although in Indian style, was of bright and artistic colors. In their dark hair and around their necks and arms were flashing jew- els and great strands of various colored beads and tinyshells. | . As they 2 Spey pes the shore and their charms, beau became more aioe utr to the outlaws, the Villains’ eves en wed with a covetous, sensuous fire. Panther Tail, series 2 i his hands and knees, his long, black hair falling about his face in snakish locks, was the very picture of a hu- man devil, In a very few moments the maiden’s boat — touched the shore a few. paces below thé am- y and grace of form and feature » = > ~ « wy PS Pf : ig j ‘ 4 bushed outlaws. Then the girl’s singing ceased, and rising, she stood erect in the boat.