Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 673 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

Black Bart viewed the proceedings impatient- ly. ** Make haste, boys!” he urged. ‘The Night Express is due.” ven as he spoke the shrill whistle of an ap- proaching locomotive fell upon their ears. With blanched face and trembling lips, the doomed traitor heard the ominous sound; real- ized his imminent peril—knew that in a brief space, a cruel blow from the rushing iron horse would sever his bead from his body! Until now, the Mexicab, with wonderful for- tiftude, had borne the ordeal calmly and silent- ly: but when death stared him fairly in the face, his bull-dog courage vanished, and he beg- ged piteously for mercy. In vain! As well might hehave appealed to the very rocksaround, Stern and unrelenting, the Black Brotherhood stood grimly beside the track, eager for the consummation of their ven- geance, ‘* Mercy! laughed Black Bart, heartlessly, in response to the victim’s piteous appeal. ‘‘Such ant as you would have shown us, had you es- caped. You would haye betrayed our secret camp, and brought the minions of the law — us; and yet you dare ask for mercy! Ha, ha! You ask in vain! Die, treacherous dog, as a traitor shouid!” Black Bart coldly turned away, just as the leaming headlight of the approaching train shed brightly round a curve. Facing the train, Gaspard could see the flam- ing sf as it bore down upon him hke a meteor, Wildly he shrieked for help, but the combined sounds of the train and tempest drowned his feeble cries. lt wasa fearful scene! The whirling, snort- ing, fire-breathing engine, plunging madly over the echoing rails; the doomed outlaw, shrieking for “agai the compassionless Brotherhood, standing like statues in the drenching rain, while the lightning flashed and the anne, roll- ed in the murky heavens—all went to form a picture weird and hideous to look upon, Down the steep grade flashed the Night Ex- ress, as it eager to destroy the luckless human in its resistless course. Suddenly Gaspard’s head was seen to droop. An all-merciful power had bereft him of his senses, and spared him the consciousness of the awful end. Nearer, nearer grew the iron horse, till, with a hideous scream, it flashed upon the fatal spot. For an instant the gleaming headlight revealed the sickening tacle of a blood-dripping hu- man head Poe through the air! Then the train vanished in the distance, and over the scene reigned a silence broken only by the mut- tering of thestorm. . The Black Brotherhood were avenged, CHAPTER XIV. DOWN TO DEATH, AWAY through the tangled thicket, like a startled fawn, sped Headlight Harry, when good luck and prompt action enabled him to es- eg the clutches of the Black Brotherhood. he crashing of heavy feet through the dense undergrowth, warned him that he was hotly pursued; however, the intrepid railroad-boy felt equal to the occasion, ary as a fox, he turned, twisted and doubled, in the effort to throw his enemies off the scent. Aided by the impenetrable darkness, Harry was eminently successful; for soon all sounds of his pursuers ceased, and the lad felt assured that the outlaws had abandoned the chase in disgust. . Satisfied that there was no immediate dan- ger, the youth paused to regain his breath, and consider the situation. Many boys, after such a series of thrilling ad- ventures, would have instantly sought a place _ of safety, thankful to escape with their lives; but Headlight Harry was not constructed upon these selfi._h principles. He had no intention of abandoning his less fortunate friends to their fate, without: one more supreme effort in their behalf. So, after @ brief rest, the courageous lad again com- menced to ascend the mountain-side, Proceeding with the utmost caution, he soon reached the edge of the outlaws’ stronghold, just in time to witness the departure therefrom of the Black Brotherhood, including Black Bart, Dave Darke and the unfortunate traitor, Gas- rd. The presence of the latter told he meaning of this midnight procession, and the youth could not resist a feeling of pity for the doomed bandit, ““T wouldn’t give a straw for that galoot’s éances; but, all the same, what’s his loss is my gain. Ralph and Grace are unquestionably ere in the camp, and, judging from the size The Lightning’ Express Detective. of yonder turn-out, there can’t be more than two or three men left to guard them. Jingo! l got here jest in time.” Thus reasoned the railroad-boy, as he crouch- ed in the bushes, and eagerly watched the move- ments of the departing outlaws, Waiting only until the party had passed out of sight and hear- ing, he stole stealthily out into the clearing, t was still dark; yet a lightning-flash might betray him; so it was with toe utmostcare that he crept from point to point. Nota sign of life was to be seen—not a sound heard save the steadily down-pouring rain; but the keen eye of the spy soon perceived a tiny light gleaming through a chink in the wall of an adjacent cabin, ‘ Stealthily approaching, Headlight Harry peered eagerly through the interstice into the interior of the hut. His curiosity was reward- ed; for a glance told him that this particular shanty held the only remaining occupants of the stronghold. Grace Garland and the young engineer lay in one corner, both securely bound, while near the door sat their guards—two burly ruffians, who squatted leisurely upon the floor, secure from the storm without, and coolly manipulated a greasy pack of cards, apparently oblivious of all else around them. Such was the scene upon which the daring spy looked eagerly. Anxious to rescue his friends, yet the railroad-boy hesitated. Two stalwart bandits, armed to the teeth, stood between him and the accomplishment of his purpose; and he was but a mere lad, alone and unarmed, But Headlight Harry realized the danger of delay, and acted upon the first idea that occur- red to his fertile brain, Gaining a position in front of the closed door of the hut, the daring youth dashed forward with the yell of a Coman- che brave. Like an avalanche, he rushed against the door, which was rudely hung and swung inward. The outlaws were sitting close to the door, which yielded before the spy’s impetuous rush, andswungagainst the fellows’ backs with a force that sent them sprawling upon the floor. This was exactly what Harry had anticipat- ed. The very audacity of his trick insured success, One of the outlaws lay like a log where he fell; he had struck his head against the wall, and the blow bereft bim of his senses. Quick as a flash, Headlight Harry snatched a revolver from the belt of the prostrate sentinel, and turned it upon the other ruffian, who was just scrambling to his feet. Bang! The weapon exploded with a report that sounded like a cannon in the narrow con- fines of the room; but the ball missed its mark, and the outlaw dashed macly out into the dark- ness, with the triumphant railroad-boy close at his heels. In his terror, the bandit ran straight toward the ‘ge -pene ner did he discover his mistake until it was too late. One long, agonized screech arose, as the luckless wretch fell over the giddy brink, and plunged madly down to death, Then all was still. With a shudder, Headlight Harry retraced his way tothecabin. To liberate his surprised and delighted friends was but the work of a moment. No time was lost in leaving the stronghold. Fearful lest the absent Brotherhood should re- turnin time to cut off their retreat, the fugi- tives pressed hurriedly down the mountain- path. As they neared the water, a warning ex- clamation from Headlight Harry, who was in advance, brought them to a halt, The outlaws were returning. Our friends could hear the sound of the boat's keel, as it grated upon the sandy shore, Leav- ing the path, the fugitives crouched in the thicket, fairly holding their breath in suspense, as the bandits came up from the creek, and filed leisurely past within arm’s-length. When the last man had receded from view, the trio emerged from their concealment and hurried down tothe shore. The boat was speed- ily launched; Grace was assisted to a seat; then the young fellows took their places, and the voyage began. scarcely had they rowed a hundred yards, when a chorus of fierce shouts from the direc- tion of the outlaw camp, warned them that their escape had been discovered. The unwelcome sound inspired the oarsmen with renewed strength. Madly they plied the oars, for, indeed, their lives depended upon their efforts, The light craft shot over the wa- ter like an arrow. Well they knew that escape was by no means certain, The Black Brotherhood were in swift * 13 pursuit, with a good prospect of overtaking the fugitives, when the end of the water route was reached; for then, hampered as they were by the helpless girl, rapid flight was impossible. Under cover of darkness, it would have been a. comparatively easy matter to evade their pur- suers; but now the night was spent, and day was quickly dawning. The thunder and l'ght~ ning had ceased, but the rain still poured ina * steady stream, with no prospect of abatement. ‘*l’ve got an idea!” panted wes gre Harry, as he plied his oar like a veteran. ‘‘ You know there’s a car-house ’bout half a mile above the bridge; an’ onless the outlaws have plundered it, there’s a bran-new hand-car waitin’ there forus. If we kin get the car ahead of them,, why the rest’ll be easy. Wekin ride home im state, and thumb our noses at Black Bart’s: Brotherhood !”’ ‘*You’re right, Harry! I never thought of that,” agreed Ralph Renwood, enthusiastically. ‘‘Row for your hfe, Harry! We'll outwit the demons yet!” Their superhuman efforts soon brought the boat to the bridge. The young engineer, clasp- ing Grace Garland in his arms, scrambled up the bank and sped up the track at the top of his speed, while Headlight Harry bounded lightly on before. As they fled, the distant splash of paddles reached their ears, telling that the outlaws had procured another boat and were racing down- stream in hot pursuit. Along the line sped the fugitives, until at last the longed-for goal was in sight, The car-house was one of various structures placed at in- tervals along the road,and containing a hand- car and numerous tools and implements for the use of the section-men. The door of the house was fastened, but Ralph possessed & key that would fit the lock, and the contents of the building were quickly at their dis—~ posal, Luckily, the car was there unharmed, and the youths lost no timein placing it upom the track. The belt was adjusted, while Grace seated her- self upon the platform; then Ralph and Harry took their places, and the machine moved slow: ly over the glittering rails, just as the pursnin,; outlaws dashed into view, shouting vocifer- ously. A defiant shout answered them, as the fugi- tives bent every energy to the task, and the car: flew faster and faster, gaining fresh impetus at. every revolution of the whirling cranks, Not daring to fire lest they should hit the girl, Black Bart’s men had no alternative but. to abandon the chase, and a turn of the road soon hid the car and its occupants from the dis-- comfited outlaws’ sight. When asafe distance had been placed between. them and their foes, the engineer and his com-- panion ceased turning and sought a much-need-- ed rest from their terrible exertions, It is need- 1 to say that the fugitives were jubilant over their marvelous escape. They were now on the way to Richville, and a ride of but a few miles would land them safe at home. At least, so they expected; but subsequent events proved that the wild adventure was not yet ended. Leisurely propelling the hand-car, the party had placed about three miles between them and the spot where they had left the outlaws, when. suddenly the practiced ear of the engineer caught a familiar sound, ‘‘There’s a train behind us, coming like ths wind,” he announced, excitedly. ‘‘ What can it mean?” ‘*There’s no train due,” declared the well- posted railroad-boy, emphatically, ‘‘ The near- est due is the Eastern Freight, an’ [reckon we're ‘most half an hour ahead of her time.” ‘*Certainly weare. I don’t understand why they are so much ahead of time. Can it be pos~ sible that—” The engineer’s interrogation remained unfin- ished, for just then a locomotive tore swiftly round a curve, The track at this point was nearly straight for a considerable distance, so when the ‘ wildcat’ engine rushed into sight the hand-car was fully a quarter of a mile away. Ty noite of the distance, Headlight Harry’s. keen eyes immediately recognized the tall form. at the engineer’s post. It was Black Bart, Chief of the Mountain Brotherhood! The cab and tender swarmed with the mem- bers of that lawless band. A single glance convinced the fugitives of the truth. Black Bart, with devilish cunning, had and captured the freight train, cut. stopped loose the engine and started in chase of the run aways. \ . - ee) , =. Sy" ? *) a w ‘