Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 725 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

Z © ht RO ** Well, they seem cool enough about it in their waiting. I counted just seventeen, and there must be more of them. I guess I'll have to strike for home and tell the boys what I have seen—ah! there are two more of them,” and again the glass went to his eyes as he saw two men come into view from beyond the camp. One glance and Dick dropped the glass. ‘*Oh, Lordy! Mad Carl is not dead, for there he is! He has captured Pawnee Bill again!” cried Dick. ‘‘ Now for a ride for life, for he must be saved!” CHAPTER XVIIL A NIGHT OF HORROR. To be certain that there was no mistake, Dar- ing Dick had adjusted the focus of ne ae again, and once more turned it upon Don Des- perado. tt that is Mad Carl, and not his ghost,” he said. Then he deliberately surveyed the man stand- ing by his side. “Tt is Captain Gordon Lillie, and no mistake. ‘* What does it mean?” But it struck him suddenly that he could not solve the mystery by questioning himself, so he decided at once upon the ride for life, as he had expressed it. | aking a last glance at the group he saw that the men were going toward their horses, and this meant a move of some kind. Two horses were led up by a Mexican to where Mad Carl and his prisoner stood, and the latter 2 a was aided to his saddle, and Dick saw that he ie was ironed heavily, and then made fast. to his saddle, Then Mad Carl mounted his horse, and in the gathering twilight rode toward the timber in their rear. Dick waited no longer, and went bounding down the hill his rifle in hand. His rapid approach toward his horse caused the animal, which was a skittish beast, to throw himself back suddenly, snap the bridle-rein and go flying for home ata run. Dick’s face expressed all he felt, but he did not give utterance to his feelings, as many a man might have done in profanity, He . an instant gazing after the horse, while into his eyes came tears. No pain or distress to himself could have brought those tears to the eyes of the brave boy, but when he knew how much depended aon him, upon time, he could not check their ow, | But impatiently he dashed them away as un- manly, and said: **Pyve just got to hoof it, that’s all, and I ess I'll see the sun rise before I see Paradise, ** Now that’s like poetry isn’t it?” Without waiting to answer his own question as to the merit of his rhyme he shouldered his rifle and started off on foot for Paradise Ranch, or rather the cowboys’ camp several] miles this * side of it, 0 ak Still it was a walk of over thirty miles the | nearest way he could make it, _ Then too he had his belt of arms and rifle as weights to carry, so that the boy had a giant undertaking before bim through the darkness of -, the night, ‘ That he would once falter Dick never took a4 consideration, though he did mutter to him- TS Seen ls “a “*T wish the horse would run all the way home, and then they’d send after me, if they _ knew which way to send, for the trail could not be followed until morning. **Ok my! but isn’t it dark? ““T wouldn’t mind it if I was mounted. “T guess I’m getting like a Comanche, onl brave on horseback, and ready to run when am on foot— Ah! I thought so. ** [t’s just about time for those fellows to tune up,” and Dick referred to the yelp of a coyote _ heard off on the prairie, But the boy trudged on at a slow pace. He did not do a great deal of walking, for riding was his strong poivt, and he did not wish _ to tire himself out by going rapidly. The ora he had heard “tuning up” as he - expre it, soon had another to make it a duet, and next a trio were heard, followed by a ah which in turn ended in a general owl, | “Lordy! they are singing a chorus now! xP a tii change the tune if they crowd the _-_mourner,” and with a reckless langh Dick went $n his way, grasping bis rifle more firmly. _ ~The coyotes seemed to appreciate his situa- | tion, that he was alone, afoot and not happy, for they came snarling and yelping bebind him. wren Darin As they pressed too close Dick would glance over his shoulder and mark their position, Then he walked on whistling, to show the animals how indifferent he was to them. g Dick, Pawnee Bull’s Parc ot he stopped whistling, with the re- | rk ‘* ’m whistling a lie, for 1 am scared, and no mistake, so Il] chip in a shot!” and with this Dick turned sharply and sent a couple of shots into the pack, now crowding close upon his heels, A wild howling followed, with two sharp yelps, and the pack scattered, i They haven’t got much sand, afterall; but I don’t want their company, anyhow. I'd rather be alone,” and Daring Dick resumed bis walk, reloading his rifle as he went along, Thus an hour passed and still he pressed on. The wolves were again at his heels, but he did not mind them until they became too bold, when he emptied a revolver into their ranks, and it was an hour before they again beset) him. Noting the stars Dick saw that it was after midnight, and he said: s I am almost half-way to the camp, anyhow. If I saw my own horse ahead pow, I think I’d mistake him for a buffalo and give him a shot out of spite, ‘* What! crowding me again, are you? Well, I must give you an arithmetic lesson, as Miss May says—six from a crowd leaves less,” and the revolver flashed six times and dropped bul- lets among the coyotes thick and fast, Again the pack scattered and again Dick mov- ed on, His haversack of provisions was hung to bis saddle, so he had nothing to eat, and mut- tered: ‘Tl broil a piece of wolf if I keep on getting hungry. I’ve heard the cowboys say they have had to eat wolf meat, but I prefer cake and pie, only I haven’t got the pie or the cake, : ‘Lordy! but I’m tired and hungry, but it won’t do to rest, or I'd have that congregation of wolves thinking I was going to turn up my toes and ney were invited to the funeral, This night is the longest one I ever knew.” But the brave boy held on at his slow but steady pace, and the hours went by on leaden wings to him. At last he saw a glimmer of gray in the east, and away scampered the wolves as the dawn came. , Then the horizon grew rosy with the rising of the sun, and afar off Dick saw the clump of tim- ber on the river in which was the camp of the cowboys. He gave a shout of delight, for the night was gone, help was at hand and soon the gallant Rangers would be ouce more upon the trail of Carl the Madman! CHAPTER XIX, THE ALARM, Wita help at hand Daring Dick, pale, hag- gard, staggering from fatigue, set out at a trot to reach the camps as soon as possible, The cowboys were having their breakfast, as the blue smoke was curling up above the tree- tops. Here and there he saw a berder on duty, while the cattle were scattered over the field; but he himself was not seem and he tried to call, but his voice was not loud enough to reach the men he saw, So he took out his revolver and fired several shots in rapid succession, Instantly he saw the effect. The cattle raised their heads, the herders in view instantly were on the alert, and out of the timber came cowboy after cowboy ready for whatever was upon them. , They spied the boy and came toward him with a rush, He had given out now and had sunk down upon the prairie as they came near. Buckskin Charlie was the first one to reach him and he sprung to his side, ‘**My poor Dick! what is the matter?” ** Don Desperado! the Mad Cowboy!” was all that Dick could say and he swooned away. The night had been too much for even his iro nerves and strength. Tenderly Buckskin Charlie raised him in his arms and bore him on bis horse to his cabin, Then the cowboy’s panacea for all ills, a glass ‘ of whisky, was given him, and the swallow of liquor revived him. At last he sat up and said; : ** Ah! [mas Charlie, but I gore as new now, can’t talk until I get something to eat.” All laughed at this, for they had been alarmed about Dick’s condition, and Larry said: * Just see what good whisky will do, pards,” _ Breakfast was just ready, and Dick was given a cup of coffee, a venison steak and some boe- ee ee eC ee -C eaee LL LBL LBLLLBLL LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL OE cake, and he ate with a relish that showed he was indeed hungry. Fi pards, I’]] tell you what’s wrong,” he said. All bad gathered anxiously around him, for his coming back on foot, baggard, pale and used up told them that Dick bad seen that which they should know, ‘* You spoke of Mad Carl, Dick.” ‘*'Yes, Charlie; he’s not dead,” ** Why Dick!” ‘*Tt’s true, for I have seen him,” ** His ghost, may be.” ** No, Mad Carl, for I know him, and can tell a man from a ghost, can’t 1?” All admit that he was acquainted with Mad Car] and should be able to tell a man from a ghost, so Dick said: | ‘I went on a run after a deer, and looking over the ridge to get a shot, saw a camp of horse- men, ‘* They were the Raiders of the Rio Grande,” 6 Where was this, Dick?” ‘** Within two miles of the Red Can ‘* When?’ ‘* Last evening, just before dark.” ‘* Whew!” All the cowboys locked at each other and then at Dick. ‘Tell us more, Dick,” said Buckskin Charlie. ‘‘ Well, I counted seventeen of them, and con- cluded they were not on 4 raid our way, but ly- ing in wait for a train, but to come which way I did not know. “Then I saw two more come jnto sight, and my ie told me who they were,” ‘*' Who were they?” **One was Mad Carl.” ** Sure?” ‘Yes, Charlie, it was, for I saw him dis- tinctly.” . ‘* And the other?” ** Was Pawnee Bill,” The cowboys gave another whistle to express their surprise, For the first time Dick saw that he was doubt- ed, and he said with some show of anger: ‘*See here, I am in my right senses, and I know what I saw. **f am tired out, used up, and that tanglefoot whisky ie poured into my mouth has gone to my head; yes, and heels, too, but I know what Iam saying, and I'll tell you all about it,” and then he told the whole story, and how his horse had gotten away from him and run home, and he had ‘‘ hoofed it” to their camp. ** Now I'll rest here, Charlie, for I go back on the trail with you, and you go and tell father, while you send to the other camps for men to meet gt here, and you had ‘better get boys enough to make a good show, ‘*Tf I was in your place, I would not distress Miss May by telling her the truth, or the folks at home, for they can believe it is Injuns you have gone after.” “T think you are right, Dick, and I'll keep dark on the subject of Pawnee Bill being cap- tured again, and Mad Carl not being dead, as we thought. “As your father has not been feeling just well of late, he had better lct;me take the boys on the trai yon Pass,” q rail, ‘Yes, Buckskin Charlie, and I go, too,” ‘*Of course, Dick.” ** And you had better take twentv-five men, if you can spare them.” : ‘““We have over forty herders now,, Dick, so I’ll take twenty-four besides you and I, and that will leave enough at home to do good ser- vice if they are needed,” | “* Now you turn in, in my bunk there, and go to sleep, while I strike out for the ranch, and send men to bring the boys from the other ‘“T’}] do it, Charlie, for I was never so tired in | my life | | ‘“T feel like a grandfather,” and Dick was sound asleep in Buckskin Charlie’s bunk in less thar five minutes, Dispatching men to bring eight cowboys from each of the other canips, mounted upon their best horses and well armed, and ordering food for the march prepared at bis camp, Buckskin Charlie rode with all haste to Paradise Ranch to lay the facts before Captain Vail. — | CHAPTER XX. s BUCKSKIN CHARLIE TO THE RESCUE, CAPTAIN Vari had not been feeling well the week past, having been lame froman attack of sheumatism; but he was able to get about with the aid of, a cane and seeing Buckskin Charlie coming at a run across the prairies, felt sure ' i : . 900 > -_ wal} Sy ; + : y 7 * e ve : "he ; . ° 4 << 1 6 a Te a . s yo | } Pits io - % : 5 , 4 “I So ;