Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 673 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

r ar y: 12 A warning cal] seemed to come from above. ‘Was it real, or only a fancy? The prisoners strained their ears to listen. Again the call was sounded, followed by words clear and unmistakable. ‘* Hist! Below there! Are you asleep!” This question struck the prisoners as being entirely out of place, inasmuch as such a posi- tion could hardly be calculated to bring slum- ber. It was impossible to look up and see the speaker, but Ralph Renwood cautiously an- swered the call. ** Who is it?” he inquired. ‘*A friend!” came the soft response. ‘‘ Be eareful, and don’t speak loudly. We may be overheard.” The hopes of the prisoners rose high. ‘* You are in a bad fix,” continued the un- known. ‘* A fact of which we are very well aware.” ** And you wish to escape?” ‘*The question is entirely unnecessary,” an- swered Ralph, impatiently. “If I should help you to escape, what would the assistance be worth to you?” demanded the unknown, eagerly. ‘‘ Speaking for myself, [can only give you my heartfelt gratitude. However, only put me in away to escape with the girl in yonder cabin, and I assure you your time and labor will not be spent in vain, er people will richly re- ward you.” This reply seemed to satisfy the man above, for an audible chuckle seemed to reach the ears of the engineer. **Good! 1 will help you all to escape,” came the reply. ; ** At once?” cagerly demanded Ralph. ** Wait till | see if the coast is clear, ap your courage, for I will soon return,” A slight rustling above told the prisoners that their unknown benefactor had retreated. Who could he be? In mingled hope and doubt they anxiously waited. Ten minutes slowly passed, and then the low voice of the unknown was once more heard. ‘* Allis well. The bandits are soundly sleep- ing. However, there’s no time to lose, for they may awaken at any moment.” ** Please make haste,” urged Ralph Renwood, impatiently. ‘‘How are you going to get us up? Weare unable to help ourselves a particle, and I doubt your ability to raise our united weights.” ‘* Courage, sefior! Wait and see,” assured the _ who immediately went to work with a will. To raise the two prisoners, hanging a dead weight upon the rope was a herculean task, and the man above panted and grunted laboriously, as he brought every nerve and sinew to bear up- on the tense cord. But he was a powerful fel- sad and slowly raised the captives, inch by ch. When sufficient slack had been obtained, he passed the rope around the stump, thus being enabled to pause and rest without losing any advantage, In this manner the work of liberation went on, very slowly and laboriously, for the un- known was compelled frequently to stop and rest. Fully an hour had elapsed when at length the heads of the impatient ggreen!- appeared above the edge of the cliff. Another long, -strong pull, and they lay like a log upon the grassy sward. A _ keen-edged knife, in the clever hand of the rescuer, soon severed the mani- fold bonds, and the railroad-men bounded Bier; ak to their feet, free once more. uriously they regarded their benefactor, whose gigantic form was barely visible in the darkness. **Tell me, my friend, to whom are we in- ' debted for this unexpected assistance?” inquirel Ralph Renwood. ‘*Call me Gaspard—a member of the Black Brotherhood, as you would no doubt know if you could see my face.” ‘* A member of the Brotherhood! Then why have you aided us?” ‘* Purely from selfish motives, and not from any love I bear for you,” explalned the Mexi- ean, with refreshing candor. ‘‘ Hatred for Dave Darke, who has usurped my authority, has caused me to adopt this method of getting square with him. Whatcould be better than to rob him of his prospective bride?” ‘* And what will become of you, when your work becomes known tothe Brotherhood? They vaeree and a Mipt eas pard sna ngers contemptuously. ** Bah! Par wilting to take the Sheucee intend to take the money you promised me, and fixe far out of reach of the Black Brotherhood. Keep ~_ > the en) ) $ + / % M4 Sek 4 . 7 ~ # res Th The Lightning Express Detective. In my sunny Southern home, I can laugh at Dave Darke’s discomfiture,” ‘* Well, Gaspard, outlaw though you are, you are doing us a good turn to-night; and [ pledge you my word it shall not be passed by unre- warded,” declared the engineer. ‘‘ Now let us make haste, for these fellows may waken at any moment,” ‘* Right, sefior. Every moment is precious,” assented the bandit traitor, glancing nervously about. ‘* The first thing necessary is to find the cap- tive girl,” went on Ralph Renwood, hurriedly. ‘*Do you know where she is confined?” ** Si, sefior!” **Is she guarded?” ‘* Not at present. J was appointed sentinel: and you can see how faithfully I am serving,” answered the renegade, with a smile that bared his gleaming teeth, ‘** Then lead on,” Without further words, the trio crept stealthi- ly across the clearing. Silence, deep and un- broken, brooded over the mountain strenghold, the occupants of which were apparently wrap- pedin slumber. Nothing occurred to interrupt their progress, as Gaspard led the way straight to the door of Grace Garland’s prison. *“*T will enter alone. Wait for me outside,” commanded Renwood; and, carefully pushiug open the door, he peered anxiously within the room. Happily the captive was awake, and instantly recognized her lover, ** Ralph!” ** Grace!” | Fairly sobbing with joy, the fair girl threw herself into his eager arms, ‘* Oh, Ralph, how came you here? They told me you were a prisoner.” ** Hush, darling! This is no time for explana- tions. Come with me without a word, for the slightest sound may betray us.” Clasping the frail form in his loving arms, Ralph Renwood hastened from the cabin, to ae his companions were impatiently wait- ng. At this moment the storm, so long brewing, burst in all its fury. The rain descended in broad, driving sheets; thunder rolled and crashed with frightful reverberations, and vivid so rec flashed, zigzag, through the murky skies. The very mountain-top seemed to tremble before the awful gale! Appalled at the violence of the storm, the fugitives paused for an instant, irresolute. However, fear of recapture urged them to brave the dangers of the tem . Still, not a sound was heard from the outlaw band, as the little party crept stealthily across the open space. Reaching the path, they press- ed resolutely down the mountain-side, pean madi the ex-lieutenant, led the way, fre~ quently casting uneasy glances back, for the de- serter dreaded the wrath of the Brotherhood, when they discovered his treachery. Close be- hind followed the engineer, bearing Grace Gar- land in hisarms, while Headlight Harry brought up the rear. The roar of the tempest was deafening. Giant trees fell crashing on every hand, filling the air with dying debris ; but the fugitives pressed on, undaunted, ‘* Halt, there!” Above the bellow of the blast rung out the stern command, and as the fugitives paused, dismayed, a vivid flash lit up the scene, reveal- ing the somber forms of Black Bart’s Brother- hood, drawn up across the trail! Our friends were trapped! CHAPTER XIII. A TRAITOR’S DOOM, DUMFOUNDED, the luckless refugees stared at the Black Bretherhood, whom they had fondly hoped weresound asleep at thestronghold above —stared in blank amazement, scarcely able to credit their senses! Flight was impossible, for the outlaws sur- rounded them completely. They could only struggle with a desperation born of despair, as their formidable foes swooped down upon them like a pack of wolves, Gaspard, the bandit traitor, was the only one of the fugitives who sed weapons; and the gang pounced onto him before he had a chance touse them. Fighting furiously, he was borne to the earth and pinioned by a dozen sinewy arms, Ralph Renwood, too, hampered by the maiden in his arms, was knocked down and se- cured, ere he could strike a blow in defense, ‘Headlight Harry, however, was more fortu- nate than his companions, The railroad-boy - ofa 7 som : “ - : { . , 4 . : ow, bt, ‘ 7 Do - a! ¢ ‘ : Pia 2% ee, oot Ga $ i : pe ‘ - be oe : ' ae | af : : od 7 a e- 4 ® Fas Pits r Cor r A ss. 2 “™ & ‘ , oe ae 46< 7 a po # = = es od eas made a p and wit eel, he slipped through the cordon ox outlaws artfully evading the many hands outstretched to -eize him, and darted into the thicket. Several of the Brotherhood quickly dashed in pursuit, while the remainder at once returned to camp with their crestfallen prisoners, Ralph Renwood was in despair. Frustrated at the moment when escape seem- ed certain, it seemed, indeed, that fate had set her hand against the ill-starred prisoners. How- ever, nothing remained but to make the best of the situation, Reaching the camp, Grace and Ralph were both thrown into the hut which had before served as Grace Garland’s prison. Both were bound hand and foot, and securely guarded, Evidently the outlaws did not care to be bother- ed by another attempted escape. The remaining captive was taken to Black Bart’s own cabin, a commodious structure, cap- able of admitting the entire Brotherhood. Here ths band congregated, at the command of their chief, Gaspard was placed in the center of the room, securely bound, The wretch fully realized the enormity of his offense, and sat in moody silence at the feet of the outlaw captain, meeting with stoical indifference the fierce, vindictive glances of his whilom comrades, who gathered around in an eager, expectant group. Torches thrust into the wall cast a weird light upon the scene as Black Bart stepped forward and addressed his followers: ‘* Men, you are called together to pass judg- ment upon a traitor. For the first time in our history a member of the Brotberhood has proved false to his oath of allegiance. Here lies the guilty wretch—Gaspard, the traitor; a man whom we took into our band in the hour of ad- versity and protected like a brother. Trusted with all our secrets, promoted from the general ranks—yet, this is the way in which he pays his debt of gratitude! With your own eyes you rompt and daring break for liberty, marvelous success. Writhing like an have seen the prisoner leaving the camp in com- pany with our three captives. The reason for this treachery Lieutenant Darke will explain to you.” | “ Dave Darke now stepped forward, his in- jured arm bandaged and a look upon his face lacker than a thunder-cloud, He briefly told how, unable to sleep from the pain caused by his wound, he had wandered aimlessly about the camp, and chancing upon the spot, unawares, had overheard every word of the conversation between Gaspard and the prisoners. He has- tened to apprise Black Bart of the danger, and a trap was quickly laid for the unsuspecting fugitives, with the result already known. ‘*There’s not the slightest doubt of Gaspard’s guilt,” exclaimed Black Bart, when his crafty lieutenant had finished. ‘‘ Our own eyes and ears cannot deceive us. Boys, what is the peer alty prescribed for disloyalty to the Black Bro- therhood?” ** Death!” In a deep, solemn chorus came the answer from the lips of the outlaws, falling like a fune- ral-knell upon the ears of the wretched traitor, ‘Yes, death,” iterated the captain, sternly. ‘‘ As to the mode of destruction, it remains for me to decide, It is well! I have already thought of a novel and effectual way to usher’ our genial Gaspard into the happy land.” Black Bart immediately issued his instruc- tions, which the Brotherhood hastened to obey. It was determined to dispose of the traitor with- out delay; and soon the entire party, excepting a few men left to guard the prisoners, left the mountain-top and proceeded down the secret trail. In their midst was borne Gaspard, cullen and silent, while Black Bart and Dave Darke accompanied the ows Not a word was spoken as the Black Brother- hood proceeded on their mission of death, Reaching the bank of the creek, the long boat was launched and freighted and progress hur- riedly resumed. Long, powerful strokes pro- pelled the craftdown-stream, and soon the party arrived at the railroad bridge. Disembarking, they climbed the embankment and paused be- side the track. Two men now produced shovels and com- menced to dig a hole in the space between two sleepers. Industriously they delved, while their comrades looked complacently on, until the hole . had reached the depth of about five feet. Into this, a living grave, the luckless. traitor was placed in an upright position. after which the displaced earth was thrown loosely in around him. When these arrangements were completed nothing could be seen of Gaspard save his head and neck, . 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