Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 870 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

Norway Nels, the Big’ Boy Mountaineer. imgling at his side, his face con- agony. the matter with you?” thundered chief; ‘‘ kicked by a hoss, too?” somethin’ and my arm broke! groaned the unlucky freebooter, olling in frenzy, and the perspira- ng in great drops from his face. what does it mean, anyhow, Cap?” ed an outlaw of bis chief. tain,” spoke in Syl Gascoyne, who had™seen attracted from his tent by the red- skin’s moans, ‘‘there’s something wrong out there in that thicket. Surely these folks can’t be belting each other in the dark, this way.” The greatest excitement now prevailed in camp. Orders were given for a thorough search of the thicket, and soon a dozen flam- ing torches were moving through the bushes accompanied by, at least, half the entire camp. Norway and his companions enjoyed the sight in great glee, since it never seemed to occur to the Indians and their allies to search the west side of the canyon where the author of their trouble was secreted. Kamas Kit and Syl Gascoyne, in the mean time, were employed in binding up the wounds of the Indian and outlaw, ably as- sisted by Raven-Eyes. Norway Nels had let up on his bombard- ment of the thicket while this last search was in progress; but the absence of most of the foe from camp, and presence of Dan ‘Temple still in plain view, suggested the thought, which found expression in these words: * Pards, now would be a glorious time for us to dash in and rescue the rancher.” ‘*And knock over Kickin’ Hoss and swat “Tee Kit at the same time,” added Polar ol. ‘Tf the boy’s able to walk,” remarked Dis- mal, ‘‘ we could easily run him out by mak- in’a Romanrush. The only danger’d be in Old Sol. He’s sich a walrustian ole fool bout weemin, that if that gal yander’d speak one word to him, he’d fall at her feet.” ‘<T’ll confess, Dis, that I’ve a weakness for retty gals, mountain scenery and Ingin- ghtin’, but if that gal wants me she can come and get me, and [ll throw you in to boot. You’d make a splendid pet for an In- , ; gin gal, Dis.’ Before the hunters had decided upon any plan of action for Temple’s rescue, the golden opportunity for a successful strike had passed. The Indians and outlaws began to return from their fruitless search. The horses had aii been quieted down, and ina short time an unusual stillness reigned over the camp. ‘* Now, pards,” said Nels, ‘“‘we’ve let one. opportunity to rescue Dan’l pass, but I’m goin’ to create another—Ii’m goin’ to shell that timber again, and if another as good chance offers, I’m goin’ to make a dash for the ranchman.” ‘The Red River Rogues ’ll be found right at your side, my boy, ready for anything,” assured Dismal Dave. The possibilities of Dan’s rescue, and their escape from the canyon with him, were dis- cussed pro and con. All knew it would be a hazardous undertaking, with but one chance in ten of success, and yet they finally decided to risk that one. _ Norway finally began “shelling” the ene- mies’ horse-corral—throwing one stone after another in rapid succession over the camp into the thicket. . As the missiles rained down from the darkness among the horses, the animals became more frightened than ever, several breaking loose and dashing - madly away. Again the Indians uttered a cry of alarm and with their white friends, or most of them, charged into the thicket, certain now - of meeting the sku!king foe that had repeat- edly tried to stampede their animals, With the exception of Kamas Kit, the man with the broken arm, and the wounded red-skin, the camp was now deserted. The wildest confusion broke forth in the thicket. The snorting, lunging horses, the yells of the Indians, the shouts and curses of the outlaws endeavoring to quiet the horses, an occasional cry of pain induced by plung- ing hoofs, were Commingled in one wild and frantic racket. Ira Bondurant, for the fourth time that night, started from his couch to learn the cause of the frightful noise. Old Gray Fal- con dragged himself to the door of his lodge and thrust his haggard face out into the light, while his daughter, Raven-Eyes, trembling in terror, shied off toward Dan Temple who had, also, become somewhat interested in what was going on in the thicket and rose to a sitting posture. Kamas Kit stood, revolver in hand, ready for the worst, his eyes flashing and his face wearing the expression of a hunted beast. ‘*Raven-Eyes, what does that noise mean?” Dan Temple asked, as the maiden came up to him. ‘*T do not know,” she answered, in evident alarm; ‘‘ but I fear the friends of—” She did not finish the sentence, for at that instant she found herself face to face with a Titan form that seemed to have been silent- ly conjured up out of the earth, It was Norway Nels, the big Scandinavian hunter that stood before her. CHAPTER XIV. A LIVELY RUSTLE. UNOBSERVED by any one had the Nor- wegian Hercules glided from the shadows on the west side of the canyon to the side of his young friend, Dan Temple. Raven-Eyes, upon discovering him, was so startled with superstious fear that, for a moment or two, her lips were sealed and her tongue paralyzed, Temple glanced up and seeing his big friend exclaimed: . ‘‘My-God! Norway, what do you mean?” ‘“To release youl’? was the hunter’s re- sponse, and, stooping, he cut the young ranchman’s bond, This broke the spell that had silenced Raven-Eyes’ voice, and she quickly gave ut- terance to a scream that would have dis- mayed a young panther. Itreached the ears of Kamas Kit despite the noise in which he was deeply engrossed beyond him. He turn- ed and, seeing what was up, gave a frantic yell and began firing his revolver in the air to give the alarm—not daring to fire at Nor- way for Raven-Eyes stood screaming between him and the big hunter, | To add to this new excitement Gray Fal- con poked his head out of his lodge and set up a yelling that was sufficient evidence of Raven-Eyes having inherited her lung-power from the paternal side of her family. The Indians and outlaws hearing the yell- ing and firing in camp, came pouring from the thickets like wolves, It required no words to acquaint them with the situation, and with demoniac yells they dashed on through the camp after the fugitives. Having severed the young ranchero’s bonds, orway assisted him to his feet, say- ing: / | ““Come, Dan’l, put in your best licks!” Dan staggered and would have fallen had his friend not supported him. His limbs. were numb from long-impeded circulation caused by the tightness of his bonds; but Norway perceiving this, placed his arm around his waist, and thus, half-carrying him, hurried him across the opening. They had almost reached the cover of the bushes where the Red River Rogues were watching and waiting, when they were suddenly met by a difficulty not expected: Raven-Kyes, secing they were likely to escape, flew after them like a young tigress, and, coming up behind Dan, threw her arms about his was no time to inquire into the cause of the. neck, and with a frantic hug caused the ran- chero to reel backward and fall, a cry of pain escaping his lips as he went down. Nels again assisted him to rise, but again he fell with a cry. ‘Norway, my ankle’s dislocated!” Dan averred; ‘‘ leave me and save yourself!” ‘‘ Never!” declared Nels, turning to meet a savage, who, being swift of foot, was some distance in advance of his friends, and close upon the fugitives. With uplifted tomahawk the red skin rushed madly on and aimed a blow at Nels’s head; but the young giant dodged the wea- pon, and then lunged forward and gave the warrior a drive on the neck with his fist that lifted him off his feet and dropped him ten feet away. In the mean time Polar Sol, seeing how things were going, slipped out of the bushes to hisfriend's assistance. Seizing the spirited little princess, Raven-Eyes, he dragged her away from Dan, and then for awhile if seemed, from the way she lit into the old Red River Rogues, that some one would . have to rescue him. | Having disposed of the red-skin, Nels) lifted Dan to his one foot and ran with him into the bushes. By this time other savages were coming” close, and, in hopes of checking their ad- vance, Old Dismal opened upon them with his revolver from the shadows where he had been posted. Polar Sol expected a volley from the foe | in return, and his quick brain'instantly con- ceived an expedient that might prevent it, Seizing Raven-Eyes in his arms, he bore her away, after Norway and Temple, into the ‘bushes; but, if the fear of kiliing their young princess forbade the-savages firing upon the foe, her capture incited them to renewed ex: ertions in the pursuit. The moment, however, that Sol reached the cover of the bushes, he placed the little tigress on her feet and released her, In- stantly her cries of anger ceased; but, in- stead of endeavoring to escape, she not only — stood her ground, but astonished the fugi+— tives by saying: | ‘Go, pale-faces! Hurry! they will kill” yow all!” | All heard this urgent request, but, there» irl’s sudden change of heart. The pursu-— ing horde were close upon them, and the three hunters turned, and with their revol- vers poured volley after volley into the very faces of the foe, the Red River Rogues in | the mean time giving utterance to vociferous yells of bloody defiance. ae | The hunters had a decided advantage in} that they could see the foe between them and the light of the camp-fires, and were} thus enabled to make their shots count, while the savages still refrained from firing, no doubt, through fear of killing Rayen- | Eyes. The result was that the advance of the foremost of the red-skins was checke | but by this time the whole camp was swarm- _ ing across the canyon and spreading out to | cut off retreat up or down the canyon, | To contend longer with this overwhelming force would be certain death, and, as Temple could not walk unaided, Norway saw that escape from the canyon then would be im: possible, and that refuge in the bear cav would be their only salvation. J ‘Come, pards!”. he exclaimed, as the foé staggered back before their deadly revolvers, ‘‘let’s make for the cave!” \ The four hurried away through the dens¢ gloom of the thicket, Raven-Eyes being left to go her way. f p the wooded slope they sped, Norwe: carrying Dan in his arms as though he w They soon reached the entrance to |. - bear-den and placing Dan on. the ground, ~ big hunter said: | a Pes ‘Slide in there, Dan’l!” \ } —— a ——— 5