Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 727 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

_— EE. ee amin, steal —— a — ee eee en ce ‘ Headlight Harry’s Siren. 7 moved briskly along the winding country road toward the rugged hills that loomed up in the distance. They followed this highway for several miles, then branched off into a narrow path that wound its serpentine course up the rugged mountain-side, along this tortuous path the little party slowly and laboriously wended their way, until at length the passage became so narrow that it was found necessary to dis- mount, Leaving the horses in charge of one of their number, the others pressed forward on foot, bearing their captive between them, forc- ing their way with extreme difficulty through the maze of bushes and briers that choked the path and rendered it well-nigh impassable, Headlight Harry was handled with as scant ceremony as though he was but a sack of meal, instead of a human being with flesh susceptible to the tenacious clutch of thorns and briers; yet, the poor fellow was providentially spared all consciousness of the rough usage to which he was now subjected, for that blow that laid him senseless wasa most terrific one, and he had not yet recovered from its terrible effects. And when he finally did regain his senses, it was to find himself amid far different sur- roundings—no longer roughly borne through the chill nigbt air, but lying peacefully upon a comfortable couch of furs within a commodious apartment. Dazed and bewildered, it was some time before be could recollect his scattered wits sufficiently to grasp the situation. Without attempting to change his recumbent position, he allowed his curious gaze to wander over the range of vision, mentally noting the various objects that presented themselves to view, hat he was now witbin a subterranean chamber was evident at a glance. The walls and floor were of stone, smooth as though polished by human hands, while from the roof, fully twenty feet above his head, thousands of glittering stalactites hung pendent, presenting a most beautiful appearance in the soft light that pervaded the place, The walls were hung with skins of various animals, while the floor was thickly carpeted with the same material, this going far to impart awarm and cozy look to the otherwisa bare rock-chamber. The room was but sparsely furnished, containing a plain deal table, two chairs, a chest and a variety of miscellaneous articles quite needless to enumerate, On one side the wall of skins took the form of a heavy curtain, suspended from a stout rope that stretched across the cavern, there being a space of several feet between the top of this and the rocky roof, showing that the apartment tbus formed was but a small portion of the whole. All this Headlight Harry was enabled to see by the mellow light of two lamps that hung in brackets attached to the wall; and to say that he was surprised thereat is giving but a faint expression to his actual etiey © From the cab of a speeding locomotive to this mysterious underground chamber was, indeed, a wonderful transition; and it’s bardly to be marveled at that the bewildered engineer should for fully ten minutes lie motionless on the couch, vaguely staring about the room, and striving to get his confused brain into working order. Finally, he struggled to a sitting posture, still faint and dizzy from the fearful] blow he had received, and witb bis aching head clasped be: tween his hands, lapsed into a soliloquy that soon found audible expression. ‘* What manner of enchantment is this? Am I in the realm, of fairies and hobgoblins, or am I still an upright citizen of the good old United States of America? I sbould certainly swear I had a severe dose of the nightmare, were it not for this infernal headache, which furnishes most convincing proof that Iam vide-awake, Now, let’s see, what can I[remember? Oh, yes, it’s all clear enough, now! I was sittingin mv seat on old Number Six, yes out of Zippsville, when suddenly I got a clip on the noddle-box that sent me kiting. Andthen—andthen— 1 just woke up and found myself here! ‘‘ Now, where am I? and what the deuce was I lugged here for in such a mysterious fashion? These are the momentous guestions that call for elucidation. It’s plain that [I'm now in some underground chamber, but whether the same is inthe United States or in Old Nick’s own do- minions I’m quite unable to determine. Judg- ing from appearances, however, I should say that the outer world is not far distant, It’s ev- ident, too, that there is another and larger apartment beyond this, the mysteries of which I now propose to explore, there being epparent- 4 poe around to interpose objections to— ello Just as Headlight Harry was about to rise, , ont ’ - bent on carrying out his purpose, the heavy cur- tain was abruptly parted, and a villainous, be- whiskered face peered in upon him, Only for an instant, however, for the new-comer almost instantly withdrew, ‘I’m not so entirely alone as I fondly ima- gined,” quoth the engineer, dryly. ‘‘ Reckon I'l] go slow, and see what’s in the wind.” He had not long to wait, for the fellow soon returned and this time entered the apartment. He bore a tray containing various dishes of edibles, all of which he deliberately proceeded to arrange upon the table. This done, he turned to Headlight Harry, who had watched the opera- tion with appreciative eyes. ‘* The captain sends regards, an’ says as how if ye’r’ hungry, now’s the time to pitch in an’ git a squar’ meal. Afterward, prepare to re- ceive a Visit from the captain.” **Indeed! Kindly return my compliments to ‘the captain,’ and say that his kind considera- tion for the welfare of my inner man is heartily appreciated. Also, please say that I trust he will defer his intended call until I have fully satisfied my appetite, for I dislike most de- cidedly to disturbed while at table. And say, my friend, if I may make bold to ask, who the dickens is ‘ the captain,’ anyway, and what particular organization is he captain of?” But the party addressed abruptly withdrew witbout vouchsafing the desired information. ‘“Humph! That pump is dry, I see,” mut- tered the young engineer, aud he turned to in- spect the repast that now awaited his pleasure, There was an abundance of plain but palatable food, and a bottle of wine with which to wash it down, and to the eyes of the hungry youth the spread wasa most appetizing one, Without hesitation he drew up a chair and proceeded to demolish the tempting edibles, While thus engaged, Headlight Harry found opportunity to ponder well the situation. He had already seen enough to convince him that this was the retreat of some unknown organiza- tion: and at once his mind reverted to that ominous letter signed by Mad Madge, That the latter’s boasted band was actually in existence he had scarcely a Goubt; but could it be possi- ble that he was now in the hidden haunt of that self-styled Queen of Train Wreckers? The thought was a startling one, and served to make Headlight Harry anxious for the comiug inter- view, which would determine beyond a doubt if his surmises were correct, Finishing his repast, he threw himself back upon the couch and awaited with fast-growing impatience the coming of the expected visitor. Ten minutes later the curtains suddenly part- ed, and a lithe form appeared in the opening. Headlight Harry with difficulty suppressed the cry that welled to his lips, for it was, indeed, Mad Madge, Queen of the Train Wreckers, who stood before the astonished young engineer. CHAPTER VII. THE OUTLAW QUEEN, MApD MADGE glided noiselessly into the apart- ment, her every movement the very personifica- tion of ease and grace; and, as she boldly con- fronted the captive engineer, it was to present the most attractive picture of youth and beauty. She was of slightly more than medium height, lithe and supple as the willow; and, though ap- parently still in her teens, all the charms of ripened womanhood. Her clear, oval face was almost perfect in its beauty, every feature being as clear-cut and regular as though chiseled by a sculptor’s mas- ter-hand. The ruddy glow of health was on her cheeks, while her sloe-black eyes glistened with wondrous intensity. Her queenly head was crowned by a wealth of lustrous black locks, cut short in boy-fashion, which curled in luxuri- ant ringlets about a neck of alabaster white- ness, The Queen’s habiliments were those of a man, consisting in part of blue flannel shirt, tastefully embroidered, jacket of somber black witb trowsers of the same material, the latter being held in place by a belt of scarlet leather, into which were thrust a brace of glistening six- shooters, these deadly weapons seeming strange- ly out of place on the person of their girlish and innocent appearing owner. Beaded Indian moccasins incased her feet, while upon her head rested a jaunty cap, ornamented by a bandsome eagle’s plume. The girl’s masculine attire re- vealed her exquisite figure in all its voluptuous contour, while her entire appearance was bold and dashing in the extreme, No wonder that Headlight Harry continued to stare in mingled surprise and admiration at this fascinating vision of female loveliness, until ' ' LL LLL LLL LLL LLL LL A Tt ttt. ‘ait. ctl, ly tls finally recalled to his senses by the voice of his visitor. **In deference to your expressed wish, I have endeavored to allow you ample time to finish your repast undisturbed, I trust you are now at liberty to grant mean interview,” . Mad Madge’s voice was clear and resonant as the notes of a silvery bell, and her ripe red lips, parting as she spoke, revealed two dainty rows of teeth of pearly whiteness, In a measure recovered from tke spell into which the advent of the beauteous Outlaw Queen had thrown him, Headlight Harry was immedi- ately on his feet, making his most elaborate bow. ‘** Lot me assure you that, had I been aware of the identity of my intended visitor, [ would readily bave foregone my repast in order to hasten the interview,” he gallantly exclaimed, ** And Judging by appearances, I imagine that would have been quite a sacrifice on your part,” and, as she spoke, Mad Madge glanced siguifi- cantly at the table, whereon the half-famished engineer bad left very little that was edible, ‘*T am glad to see that you possess so vigorous an appetite, that being a pretty sure indication that you are feeling no particularly ill effects from your recent trying experience,” ‘* Indeed, Richard is quite himself again, if I may except a slight headache, doubtless super- induced by a gentle love-tap received at the hands of parties at present unknown,” and the young engineer ruefully pressed his throbbing temples as he spoke, Over the girl’s fair face flitted a shade of solici- tude and pity. ‘‘T.am very sorry,” she hastened to say, ‘*that my men should have caused you any bodily injury. My instructions were to use the least possible violence; and I shall lose no time in calling the fellows to account for their appar- ent disobedience,” ‘Please spare yourself the trouble,” returned Headlight Harry, and there was the slightest tinge of irony in histone, ‘‘Of course the fel- lows, anxious to obey orders to the best of their ability, were forced to resort to extreme meas- ures. Otherwise, it is barely possible that this interesting interview would never have taken place,” “That I do not question, for the great bravery of Headlight Harry, prince of engineers, has been thoroughly demonstrated in the past, However, the lion was caught off. his guard at last. Ha, ha, ha!” and Madge’s elfiu laughter re-ecboed loud and clear, “‘T am to understand, then, that it is to you that I am indebted for the pleasure of being here to-night?” said the engineer, anxious to get down to business without further waste of time in complimentary pbrases, ‘You are quite rigbt. I freely admit that I, = am responsible for the present situa- ion. ‘‘“Humph! It strikes me forcibly that you were exceedingly solicitous for my company, to go to such extraordinary pains to secure it. When a gentleman's presence is particularly de- sired, it is considered the proper thing to for- ward a polite note of invitation, this being slightly preferable to unceremoniously knock- ing a fellow on the head ani dragging him off like a lamb to the slaugbter.” ‘* That would be a more conventional method, Tll admit; yet, it is to ba feared that in this rticular instance the result would not have n so highly satisfactory. I preferred toadopt a scbeme whereby the unwilling guest would bly no opportunity to send his regrets. Ha, a ‘Well; admitting that your novel plan suc- ceeded admirably, I would now like to ask the motive for such extraordinary proceedings, It strikes me that, in view of the peculiar circum- stances, a full explanation should be immediately forthcom‘ng.” ‘Which was precisely my object in paying you this, early visit,” laughed Mad Madge. ‘‘Only have a little patience, my friend, and everything shall be thoreughly elucidated.” ‘‘ The sooner the better, then, for my bump of curiosity is considerably inflamed.” “ Well, listen!” commanded the Outlaw Queen, and, drawing up & Chair, she gracefully seated herself therein, motioning the engineer to do likewise. “I’m all attention. Please proceed,” ex- claimed the latter, eagerly. “To begin with, then, Headlight Harry, do you know who I am?” ‘Quite a needless question, I should say,” Jaughed the youth. ‘‘Itiseasy enough to recog- nize ip you one whom I have known ever since we were happy, romping children together— con?