Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 683 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

ll pt A CIE 9 ee Oy ew arf Pies ner * S The previous speaker turned, took the bracelet from Caslina and hele it up. ** How abcut this?” ** Never seen it before!” ‘** Eliza lost it here,” ‘*Can’t say.” ‘This clew,” pursued Fordrest, with growing vigor, ‘“‘counects Eliza positively with Sarah Stoltz. Now, as you are her ally, you must know what her movements have been in the past. I am the grandfather of young Jvseph, and it was in my family that Sarah came to work. I am willing to compromise the case, and, if you will tell me where my grandson is, I will drop all prosecutions against you. Restore the boy, and you shall go free!” There was a cunning gleam in Flocton’s eyes, ‘*You makea right fair offer,” he answered, insincerity visible in every feature and word, “but I can’t tell what I don’t know, I never heard of Sarah Stoltz, and don’t know of any kidnapped boy named Joseph—or any other kidnapped boy.” Fordrest was silent for several moments, Jiaimy dil not tell his fiction well; instead of removing the belief against him, he strengthened it. The old gentleman grew surer of the supposi- tion that he was on the right track. **T’ll give you time totbink it over,” he finally said, ‘*To such a man as you I should say that liberty must possess more attractions than prison- life. Youare not todoubt my word, for | never break it, Do what I haveasked, and I will keep my promise. Now, I'll let youalone until mora: ing. Think it over, and [ believe that you will change your mind,” ‘*Do you?” st Yes,” ‘*Then you'll get left!” There was insolence and bitter animosity in Flocton’s manner, Saltpeter Sol went to Mr, Fordrest’s side and whispered: ‘** Pris’ner No. 'Two has a greedy twinkle in his optikel eyes, I b’lieve he knows more or less, an’ would peach ef he had achance; but ef you give him a chance, be sure that it ain’t done when Jimmy Pirate Kidd is around ter glower onter him,” Fordrest saw the wisdom of this advice, and was shrewd enough not to betray by word or look the plan thus outlined, ‘*Tam not in favor of taking them to the vil- lage to-night,” he observed, speaking for Floc- ton’s ears. ‘We had better keep them here, and attend to the rest to-morrow, _ We'll take them outside, By the way, I judge we had bet- ter keep them apart, so they cannot meddle with each other’s bonds, Nixon, you and | will trun- dle Flocton out.” Sol saw that the old gentleman had a project, and let him carry it out, Jimmy was taken to the rear of the raft and bound tothe timbers, Nixon was left asa guard, and then Fordrest returned to the cabin. He confronted the second prisoner at once, ** What is your name, my man?” **Tom Hill, sir,” was the quick reply. ** You’ve been in bad company, to-night,” ** You’re right, sir.” ** Do you kuow it’s a State’s Prison offense?” * Yes, sir; but I hope you'll show me mercy,” was the eager response. ** Do you deserve it?” ** Mebbe I can,” ** How?” ** You asked Flocton some questions,” *‘T did. Can you answer them?” **T b’lieve I can.” ** Do it,” continued Fordrest, quickly, ‘‘ and I will make you a free man.” ** Do you promise that?” ‘*T promise that if you can give me informa- tion which will lead to the recovery of my grandson I[ will set you at liberty. Vor, more than that; if you are disposed to lead an honest life, I will put you in the way of doing it.” ‘*T’'m afeerd thar’s nogoodin me. [’m aman of ill luck, sir.” ‘* We'll beat out the ill luck.” ‘I wish it could be so, but I’m not hopeful, But was yer grandson a little feller with blue eyes an’ a big head oO’ curlin’ yarler hair?” “The same; the same!” “Then you kin bet Jimmy has him. cbarge of an oO? woman named Mother Hooper, who lives a few miles up theriver; but she looks ter Jimmy an’ Lize for her orders, an’ they gives ber the pay. I don’t ‘know whether it tomes direct out o’ their pockets, an’ Mother Hooper don’t; but they pays ber. An’ they’ve been ter her house, an’ Lize is there now, or Was, when we left,” ** ‘You came direct from her house?” > = - f ! LOO He’s in | eee —— soe a t- — Saltpeter Sol. sé Yes,” ‘* Lead us there, then, and all my promises shall be kept, my man!” ‘© 11] do it, sir!” There was much of promise in Tom Hill’s manner, He looked frankly and earnestly at the questioner, and even Sol Wayne was inclined to believe all he said, as the raftsman admitted when Fordrest consulted him. It was decided that the trip to Mother Hoop- er’s house should begmade at once, Hill stated . that the team in which he and his. allies came was stil] waiting, unless it bad been stolen; and this was not likely, for the escaped man had swum away toward the west, and the team was in the bushes on the east shore, Sol was made happy by an invitation to ac- company Fordrest and Hill, and the three left the Flying Fish, after repeated cautions to Nixon and Ned. It was not hard to reach the mainland, and Hill then led the way to where the team had been ‘left. It was there still—a two-seated car- riage, with a pair of fine horses attached, It was brought to the road, Hill took the driver’s position, and away they went at a rapid IACR, Tae ride was one of almost utter silence, Saltpeter Sol could imagine, faintly, the con- dition of Mr. Fordrest’s mind, beset as the latter was with hopes, doubts and fears, and the youth refrained from disturbing him, As for Sol, he was led to look with wonder upon the results of the rafting scheme. When he and Ned started out they had expected a trip enlivened only by the novelty of their strange venture, but the results had been very different anil unexpected. Adventures had multiplied, and the rafts- man was young enough to enjoy the excite- ment thoroughly. But on the latest undertaking be looked very seriously; with Fordrest’s hap- piness at stake, if was not to be regarded as a mere piece of enjoyment. ‘‘We’re almost there,” announced Hill, at last. Fordrest aroused with a start, ‘¢ Whom shall we meet?” he asked. ‘¢ Well, we ought ter meet nobody but Mother Hooper, but she may hev some o’ her rounders thar,” ‘** Ts she a lawless woman?” ‘* A reg’lar out-an’-outer,” ‘¢ And other men may be there, eh?’ ‘‘There’s a tough gang around here, an’, though it ain’t no home fur them, they often drop in on Mother Hooper, She keeps whisky on the sly, an’ sells ter the boys, Sometimes, sev’ral on ’em come there in a bunch an’ stay awhile, drinkin’ an’ smokin’, but it’s so late in the night that the coast cugbt ter be clear, I hope it will,” Hill slowly added, ‘* Would these men oppose us, if there?” ‘‘ They would set onter us like wolves, ef the ol woman told them to,” ‘Then, if they are there, we may expect trouble.” ‘*’m afeerd so. The ol?’ woman won’t give up the boy peaceful: we’ve got ter fight fur him, anyhow, Ef her gang is there, itll be a desp’rit tussle, you bet!” CHAPTER X, THE VULTURES OF THE OLD HOUSE, THIS staternent revealed a state of affairs upon which Fordrest had not counted, ‘* Have you a revolver, Hill?” he asked. ** Yes,” the man replied, **So have I, Now, we two could make quite a stand, if it comes toa fight. The question is, will you help me?” **Gladly |” ‘*] think I can trust you.” ‘You can, sir; you can, I ama miserable wretch who has sunk low because o’ ill luck an’ his own weakness, I hate myself for it, but them is the facts. Your kindness has yive mea grain o’ manhood back, an’ Pll fight my best for yow!” ‘*Thank you, my man; thank you, [ll trust you implicitly,” The house was reached, It was a large, ram- bling affair, old-fashioned, weather-beaten and dilapidated. The team was left far enough back so that the noise of wheels would not be heard, and then the three adventurers approached. Nolight was visible, and slumber seemed to have claimed whoever was there, but Hill confidently ex- plained: **A knock will bring Mother Hooper to the door, She sleeps nigh there, 80 she won’t miss an order fur whisky, let the boys come when- ever they may,” ——— _ —— - -- — - — a ee ee EEEsrenensnEEEnESEEEESnSEEEEEEINEEEIInenrenenerm ee ee =} *‘Goonand rap! She will admit you, won’t she?” "Yes," ‘*The boy and I will keep a little back, and be ready to follow you in.” This plan was put in execution, and Tom knocked heavily on the door. Saltpeter Sol was ina state of suspense and excitement. There was a charm about the ven- ture, though he devoutly hoped there would be no fighting. He was not armed in any way, and no one appeared to think it necessary that he should be, but he picked up a stout stick about two feet long, and concealed it under his coat, If he was going into a skirmish, he did not want to be helpless. Three times Hill knocked, and then there was a stir inside. A slide in a panel of the door was opened. ‘*‘ Who's there?” asked a wheezy, female voice. ‘Tom Hill.” ‘* What d’ye want!” ‘‘ Whisky an’ terbacco, with a chance fur a light,” ‘* Where’s Jimmy an’ Cale?” ‘*Gone over to Snow’s,” Mother Hooper appeared to be satisfied, and she opened the door, Hill entered, and Fordrest followed close after him. When the old woman saw the second man she made a movement to close the door, but he stopped it with his foot, ‘‘ Who be you?” she demanded, suspiciously. ‘¢ A friend o’ mine,” explained Hill, ‘* But is hea friend 0’ mine ?” was the quick retort. ‘‘l’ve come to give you a chance to make money, madam,” Fordrest stated, persuasively. Mother Hooper’s face, dimly visible, did not bear evidence that she was convinced, but, as he was already inside the door, she.was shrewd enough to make the best of the situation. ‘* Come in!” she directed, ill-naturedly. She turned, struck a match and lighted a kero- senelamp, A large, dirty kitchen was revealed. The old woman was the only strange occupant, and she was a curiosity in ber way. She was bony and muscular; her gray hair was a mat- ted forest; ber dress, reaching only half-way be- low her knees, was shapeless, ragged and soiled, Moreover, her breath smelled of whisky and onions, and, mingled with an unpleasant odor from the kitchen, made a whole which was ob- noxious; to an extreme, Her deep-sunken eyes were turned upon Mr, Fordrest with unabated suspicion. ‘¢ What is it?” ske asked, curtly. ‘‘Do you want to earn twenty dollars?” ‘*' Yes, ef I can honestly!” Sol could hardly repress a smile, ‘*- You shall see,” Fordrest proceeded, have, as a boarder here, a young boy—” **T have?” Anger, fresh suspicion and hostility flashed into the woman’s evil eyes, and the words were as sharp as the thrust of a sword. ‘*No, I have not /” she added, with emphasis. ‘‘T ain’t got no boarders, an’ no boy is here, Boys! Pah! I hate ’em! Noisy, sassy med- dlers!” She turned her gaze upon Sol at this point, as ‘§ You same head, but tbe raftsman bore the charge philosophically. ‘*T have the word of Hill, here, that the boy is in yonder house,” persisted Fordrest, Mother Hooper shook a bony fist near Tom’s face. ‘‘You unmitigated liar!’ she cried. ‘* You upconsciousable thief! You phenomigal scoun- drel! You—” ‘‘How about my money?” interrupted For- drest. ‘* Counterfeit!” she snapped. “Tt is good, and I’ll pay you well—” ‘* No you won’t!” ‘¢ About the boy—” ) ‘¢ There ain’t no boy here, an’ ain’t been. all a lie of that perfidulous wretch there!” ‘Pil give you a good sum, cash, to come to terms, If I pay more than the other parties, can’t you be induced to listen to reason—” ‘*No; I won’t listen! You’re a malevodent scoundrel, an’s do you get out o’ my house, Start!” ‘This talk has gone far enough!” declared the old gentleman, sternly. ‘‘ Now, hear me! The boy is here as I have said, and, if you don’t produce him, 1 will bave you arrested! ‘¢ Aha! so you threaten me?” ‘‘T do; and what I threaten shall be done. Take you notice. Shall we arrest you, or t? ‘*T’d like to see you!” was the scornful, sneer- ing response. ‘‘ What! you arrest me? Why, 4 It’s ~ \ if tolet him know that he came in under the a, —_—— ~ nt ee el as 7 bah