Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 717 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

Mosquito Jack, the Hustler Gamin. 9 ** General, I ever knowed that was a rascal!” Mosquito Jack turned away and had no more tosay to the guard, while Dorus sat down and glared at him in a fashion truly piratical. If he had any heart git was not to be touched by ap- peals for mercy, and the Hustler Gamin wasted no more words on him. Half an hour passed, and then the bell in the room rung. Dorus looked thoughtfully and sus- picivusly at the prisoner, evidently reluctant to leave him. Then the®black man went to the window and closed the upper half of the shut- ters. ‘You can’t git out,” he remarked, scowling, ‘an’ ef you make a racket Vll—see you ag’in!” With this dark hint he went out, locking the door bebind him, but, unmoved by the threat, Jack was on his feet in a moment, He looked eagerly around, as if hoping that an avenue of escape, or a weak spot, had been revealed to him suddenly, but was doomed to disappoint- ment, Investigation proved that the solid sbut- ters at the window were proof against attack. ““No use; but ef I can’t git out, mebbe I kin use ny eyes a bit, I'll see!” He set a small table against the door and mounted to the top. The table was weak; it creaked and swayed under him, but he perse- vered, Over the door was an uncurtained tran- som, and through this he hoped to get sight of something of interest. He was not disappointed, The room was directly opposite the head of a flight of stairs, and as he looked out he had view of both the hall of the floor he was on and that below; and in the lower hall two men were standing in conversation, One was a stranger; the other was— Jack’s face lighted up wonderfully. ‘* Peter Woods!” he exclaimed. ‘* Whoop! the tide has turned, an’ they’re here ter rescue me. By Ebenezer! I must yell at Peter!” He tried to turn the closed transom, but in vais. He glanced around the room; then sprung down and secured a dilapidated old boot, which, evidently, was Dorus’s property. | | *T’ll make a hole through ef I hey ter pay | ) ' day, and that the occasional teams were all that fer my satisfaction!” be declared. Again he mounted to the table, but one look through the transom was enough to make the triumphant look fade out of his face, ‘* Peter’s goin’ away!” he gasped, in dismay. Sure enough, The man in the lower ball, upon whom he had based his suddealy-conceived hopes, was already at the outside door and, plainly, about to take his departure, ‘‘They’ve bamboozled him somehow, an’ he thinks I ain’t here, He'll go an’ leave me!” Suddenly the boot went upward and was poised for a blow. “T’ve got ter stop Peter,” cried the impris- oned gamin, “ or this prison will hold me tight!” Down came the boot, but it did not break the glass as was intended. At just the wrong time the table, which had continued to creak and groan uader the Hustler Gamin, bowed to one side, groaned louder than ever, and then went over sideways and lay as flat as a collapsed bal- loon, And Jack? He was nearly as flat as the table, for he had gone down with it, making a tremendous noise; but he was not long to be kept in that position. If ‘* Peter Woods” was ‘still near it behooverd him to be on the alert if he wus to be saved, and, | | I | cave, but you’s the first negro I | then, flattering himself he hyd awed Jack into silence and a harmless condition, released the boy and proceeded to put the room to rights, Muttering his indignation he picked up the frag- ments of the table, and then gave long and care- ful attention to the boot, to see if damage had been done that dilapidated piece of leather, All the while the door was unlocked, and Jack looked expectantly to see bis friend enter, but when several minutes had rolled on he was forced to one bitter conclusion: he was not to be res- cued. He did not take it kindly. ‘* Peter must ’a’ heerd me!” he thought; “* he ain’t deef, an’ I yelled loud enough to penetrate anybody’s ear-drums, He heerd me, but didn’t come ter help me. By Ebenezer! that ain’t right!” Many an older person would have arrived at the same conclusion, and the boy’s zeal in the cause took a sudden drop. If he helped Peter Woods, why should not Peter help bim? When satisfied that all hope was past the pris- oner settled down to his fate, and did not try to disturb Dorus’s taciturnity. The latter fast- ened the door, put the key in his pocket, glared at Jack, aud then lay down on the floor as calm- ly as if that were the ordinary way of occupying one’s time. Another period of waiting followed. The clos- ing of the shutters would have made the room entirely dark had not Dorus lighted the gas; but this step prevented Jaek from knowing anything about the passage of time, He believed night had come, but could not tell positively. Dorus maintained bis position on the floor, and lay with closed eyes, but the slightest movement on the prisoner’s part brought them open, Sev- eral times Jack believed the guard to be asleep, but he was deceived so often that be was at fault, He wished the negro would sleep, and sleep soundly. In the black man’s pocket was the key of the door. If he could get that key, and have a very little time, he felé sure he could escape. It was not likely any one wason guard in the hall, He could hear po sound in the bouse, and the rumble of an otcasional team in the street was so loud and distinct as to suggest the idea that travel had died away with the close of the were passing, It was a favorable time for escape, but—the key was in Dorus’s pocket, ee Jack coveted that key! Miserable bit of deformed brass that it was, be would rather have it than a glittering dia- mond, If Dorus would only sleep and give him a chance! The black man yawned, moved his head as though to get an easier position, looked indolent- ly at the boy and again closed his eyes, Ten minutes later he began to breathe more heavily than at any time before. The captive’s ‘blood seemed to move with a jump. Was the time of hope coming? Was the grim guard actually succumbing to sleep? Jack watched bir unceasingly. Never before, perhaps, bad any one been so interested in the evil black man. His very breath was precious to Jack, as long as it was spent in slumber. Time passe, Jack coughed; the black man did not stir. Jack moved his chair; he called Dorus’s name; he rattled his feet, The guard did not move or open his eyes, ‘Now for it!” whispered the boy. “It’s a seeing he had no further means of reaching tbe | desp’rit undertakin’ ter git the key out o’ his transom, he began to hammer on the door. ‘‘Here I be, Peter!” he shouted, at the top of his voice. ‘‘ This way, Peter! Help!—help!” CHAPTER. xX. THE KEY IN THE BLACK MAN’S POCKET, Tue door suddenly opened in the boy’s face, but it wasnot ‘‘ Peter” whoappeared. Instead, it was Dorus, who looked fiercer than ever. ‘‘ What de furies you mean by all dis racket?” the guard angrily (emanded. ‘‘ Want me ter hit you in de mouf?” For an answer Mosquito Jack tried to dodge him, but was neatly caught. Dorus began to force him back ward. ‘* Peter!” shouted the prisoner. ‘* Here I be, Peter! This way!—up-stairs!” The negro kicked the door to, and hustled Jack back and dumped him down in a chair, ‘* Now, yon set dar!” he ordered. ‘‘ We’s had enough ob dis fool-work, an’ doan’ you forgit it. You keep quiet, or I'll sernsh you out flat, Yo’ hear me?” If Jack heard he did not say so; be was look- ing at the door, eagerly hoping to see it open—to see Peter Woods appear; but Peter did not come, Dorus glared at the prisoner for awhile, and pocket, but it’s got ter be done or my name is Got-Left. Dll try it!” He rose from the chair, and Dorus remained oblivious of the fact, as far as could be seen. With the ligbtest steps possible be approached the big form on the floor, Still there was no evidence that he was observed. The crisis carae when be had to run his hand into the negro’s pocket, for it was work of the most delicate nature, Was it possible he could do it without causing alarm? He made the attempt. Gently, slowly he introduced his hand, but, | | ee - ee SS rn, rr cr ee try as he would, it seemed to bim that the heav- | iest sleeper must be aroused by such an effort. Down went the hand—lower, lower; it touched the key. He drew back, but the rough born of the key caught. He disentangled it and persevered, Tbe key was fully in his band, at last! The negro slept on, It was genuine slumber: for he had yielded up the treasure. Mosquito Jack moved lightly to the door, He fitted the key as silently as possible; he turned the bolt back; be opened the door. The dimly-lighted and deserted hall was revealed to his gaze. He paused not to view it critically, ee —— but crept down the stairs. No one was in the lower hall, and all was quiet, The outer door was locked, but be quietly turned the key, passed out and hurried down the steps. @ stood on the street, with the star-dotted heavens above him and an open way to the right and the left. With quick steps he hurried toward bume, He no longer had any fear, for he was not the mre to be kidnapped on the streets of New fork. A few minutes’ walk took bim to Mrs, Brown’s boarding-house, and he entered at once. No one was in the parlor, and he hurried up to Randolph Fenton’s room. Entering, he found that young man calmly smoking a cigar, but be sprung up at once, ** So you’re back?’ he exclaimed. ‘* Well, lL reckon!” ‘* Have you had trouble?” ‘*Not an artom!” returned Jack, with sar- casm, ‘‘Then what has kept you?” "Peter Woods, what do you s’pose has kep’ me?’ ‘*T am ata loss to know. I have been worry- ing about you, but prevented from doing any- thing by the fact that I was robbed of our ally. Officer O’Dowley was detailed for special duty, and sent away, or I should have insisted upon his going right to Cheslington’s bouse,” Mosquito Jack’s eyes were sparkling with in- dignation. ‘* Wanted ter help me, did yer?” ** Certainly I did.” ‘Then why didn’t youcome when I called to yer for help?” ‘**Called to me for belp?’ echoed Randolph, ** That's w’ot [ said.” ‘**T don’t comprebend,” ‘ ‘* Kf you’s so interested in my affairs, why didn’t ye give me a lift when you was in Ches- lington’s house?” *T never was there.” ** But I seen you.” ** 'W hen?” ‘Why, this very arternoon!” Randolph looked bewildered for a moment, and then returned somewhat sharply: ‘* This is no joking matter.” ‘** Bet yer life itain’t! Thet’s w’ot I thought when you stood at the foot o’ the stairs, an’ I was at the top an’ yel!in’ toyer fer help likea Sioux Injun, Yes, I yelled; butdid you come? Nary come! You jest left me to my fate; me, yer own agent w’ot wuz doin’ your own business, an’ got gobbled in doin’ it, Peter Woods, that’s w’ot you may call standin’ by a feller’s frien’s, but ef it’s your style o’ doin’ it, I don’t keer ter be your frien’, No, sirree, Ebenezer!” ack was something of a philosopher, and, de spite a degree of grumbling, bad felt that Peter oods would be able to explain away his ap- parent desertion of his ally, but this idea had vanished. Peter bad taken a position. which aroused all of the boy’s spirit, and be poured out this address with indignation and sarcasm, Randolph looked at him blankly. **T don’t understend at all, but if you really mean that I have been in Cheslington’s house, you are all wrong. I have not been there!” ‘* But I seen you there!” ‘* Jack, you seem to be sincere, so let us get down to this subject in a systematic way. You are laboring under a mistake, but we may be able to explain all. I have not been in Chesling- ton’s house, and have been greatly troubled about it, The idea has grown upon me that it was folly to let you go there, Cheslington has several times been in this house, in days gone by, to visit his friend who had the room up- stairs, until a fortnight ago. I said, this morn- ing, that he must have seen you here, and would recognize you, but you thought not. Did not the result prove me right?” The messenger regarded Randolph in a pecu- liar way. ‘Set down, an’ you sbhajl hear,” he directed. The story was told. Randolph did not once interrupt until Jack declared that be saw him in the ball, ‘You bave beard me say I was not there, John. Inow repeat it; your eyes deceived you.” ‘* By Ebenezer! then it was your ghost!’ ‘*The man looked like me, did be?” ‘‘ Did be? I should asseverate!” ‘‘From your position up-stairs you could not have seen clearly—” “But I did! The light was good, an’ I never had a better chance; never! I take a fancy ter you, Peter, an’ ef you say you wa’n’t there, it goes: but, great guns, he was your dead ringer,” ** This is stranre.” | Say,” cried Jack, with sudden spirit, *‘ kin it be the feller was Lena Dalton’s husband?” a ' m 5 = ’ : ’ ; ( aS * ‘ * ‘ ‘ ao é uJ | i a 4 . : my ak ; a ” *. 2 aS) ri ne ‘ show 7