Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 729 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

J. - = ~~ _ Big Jobn Dancer, head of the family which they had doomed to loss of property, if not of life as well, was a prominent character in those parts, not only for bis growing wealth in hoofs and horns, but through his sturdy opposition to the dangerous ghost-dance craze which was spreading like wild-fire throughout the land. Although a half-blood, and mn bis earlier days as wild and savage a raider as the Cheyennes could boast, now that he had married a white woman and settled down, he showed energy and enterprise of an entirely different quality. Among other facts worthy of note, was his importing blooded stallions for the purpose of improving his stock, and such success had re- warded him, that his home-herd was noted far and wide for its high quality and money value, This much to explein the words passed by Dave Darnell from man to man as they left their horses in hiding, and prepared to steal upon their victims, ‘“ You know Big John corrals his choice stock every night, since this racket began, and those of you who baven’t spied out the lay of the ground, have bad a careful description. That’s enough, Those I’ve told off, will raid the cor- ral and stables, and the rest will lay low to down Big Jobn and his Irish cubs as they break cover atthe row. You know what you’ve got to do; now—do it !” That was all the instructions needed or given, and then the evil gang began stealing nearer the dark and silent ranch-house of logs, cast into deep shadow by the trees which clustered around it, serving as shade in summer, and a wind- break in winter. Tom Frinkle had originally been one of those selected to take care of the choice stock, but at his own request, Darnell had given him per- mission to join those who were detailed to do the shooting, in case the alarm should bring the Dancers forth to defend their property, He had begged this as a favor, even to the last moment boping that by so serving, he might get another chance to kill or capture the man he so bitterly bated. And even yet he clung to that hope, though nothing had been seen or heard of Big Horn Buck during that night ride, ' The fact, too, of the ranch being so quiet, without a light to be seen by the keenest of eyes, did not entirely discourage him, The Border Beagle was not to be judged by what ordinary men might’do, and this very quietness might be of bis own designing, the better to match the en- emy at their own game, ‘** But I don’t reckon he’s had time to come up,” Frinkle kept telling himself as he crept along until his mw in covert was gained, ‘If he’d only show up right now! Jf he only would !” Dave Darnell had likewise reached the point be was aiming for, and was just lifting a bent finger to his lips, for the purpose of giving the agreed-upon signal, when a fierce yell burst forth, followed by a brief but furious struggle among the bushes, | CHAPTER XII, SAVED BY AN ENEMY, Wir a fierce rage such as he never thought to feel toward the son of Luke Woodbridge Big Horn Buck uttered those words, one hand extending down the valley, its quivering fore- finger marking the coming of Dave Darnell and bis lawless gang of cut-throats, Silverblade drew back a paco, but it was not thrvugh fear. . His reply came sharp and stern, ‘though sounding so cold and even: ‘‘ Why not save first, talk after? That is what the Shoshone would do, if his friends were in danger.” . ** Will you help save them?” swiftly asked the detective, a ray of hope coming back as he peered into that proud, stern face. ‘* Point out the riguot trail, and Silverblade asks no help,” ‘‘ Even those in danger are numbered among the Friendlies your Messiah branded with his curse?” ‘t Are they any worse than those devils?” nod- ding toward the outlaws, now nearly up to the deserted camp. ‘‘Any one of ’em is worth a million such curs!” flashed Horton, but holding bis power- ful emotions in check after a fashion, all the while striving to read the truth in that stern face before him, ‘If you had heard, as I heard, yonder devils talking about— Boy!” his subdued tones growing husky as he caught a hand and gripped it firmly. ‘There is a young girl in the family those devils have picked out as their next victims, and ber fate was to be—” ** Will talk save her, brother?” | ‘*No, but with you to back me up, there is still a chance that she may be saved, even though her relatives perish, and—” ‘Come! If my brother must talk, let him do so from the saddle.” ‘** Good enough!” and Big Horn Buck actually clasped the young half-blood in his strong arms for an instant, then sprung away toward their horses, ‘‘ For all your talk, Davie; you’re pure white, from crown to sole!” **T am red—all red!” ‘Then your practice and your theory don’t jibe worth a cent!” the border detective laugh- ed, as he freed his horse and sprung lightly into the saddle, ‘‘ But we’ll not quarrel now —nor ever, if I can help it!” ‘*Too much talk,” gruffly muttered the Sho- shone, as he likewise mounted, ‘‘ More do, less say | If the lay of the ground had been more favor- able, it is doubtful if Big Horn Buck would have followed this terse advice: but it took both nerve and skill to maintain anything beyond a walk, just then, and knowing that lives might depend on minutes won, Horton kept his peace until they were fairly clear of the bills, This consumed a great deal of time, and it was an anxious glance which the Border Beagle cast toward the moon as they struck the compara- tively level prairie, breaking into a gallop as he headed for the distant ranch, whose inmates he hoped to save from the raiders, It was not often that the detective—a veteran in experience, though he was |jttle more than thirty years of age—permitted his heart to gain the ascendenucy over his brain, bat bis feverish excitement, now that the race against odds had fairly begun, proved that this was to mark an exception. © could not keep silent, and though be could see that Silverblade shrunk from further talk, he soon broke the silence which bad reigned between them for so Jong. ‘You've heard teil of Big John Dancer, haven’t you, Davie?” ‘* How should I hear? Silverblado was never in these parts before,” ‘¢ Well, he’s a man mighty well worth sav- ing on his own account, not to speak of his women-folk, And they—I can’t talk of her!” his voice breaking a bit, as that comely face and trim figure rose before bis mind’s eye, ‘“‘Why talk at all? Leave that fo squaws, Braves act, I[f they win, talk is useless, If they fail, they can’t talk, for they are dead,” Silverblade seemed determined to make Hor- ton regard him as an Indian, pure and simple, if actions and manner could bring about such a change; but Horton was not readily bluffed, and as they rode along he persisted in telling the half-blood about Big Jobn Dancer and bis family, as, well as how he had made their ac- quaintance, That was through his having made his head- quarters at the Dancer Ranch for more thana week past, while trying to strike the trail of a notorious gaug of law-breakers: none other than that led Ee Dave Darnell. And it was while following up a faint scent, that he had been captured by the enemy. While in their hands, waiting for death, he ‘beard enough of their talk to form a pretty clear idea of their intentions, and in bopes of delaying them until it would be too late to strike their blow that night, he had played about the enemy, as detailed. . So much being made clear, Big Horn Buck went on to speak of the Cheyenne half-blood, and his family, He had been fortunate enough to meet and marry an Irish girl, and that proved the turning-point in his life, Norah made a true man of him, in addition to bearing him two sons and a daughter: Patrick and Dennis, now men grown, and Mary, a more than comely daughter of seventeen, ‘*'That’s the whole population of Dancer Ranch, Davie. They keep no cowboys, though their cattle are among the thousands, and their horses as many bundred, But the three men are a host OY eho as I hope you'll soon see. for your- self, ** And the squaws, brother?” with a faint smile, as he flashed a side-glance into that strong, hon- est face, ‘“‘T thought of Enola when I first saw Mary. That ought to be quite enough to answer one half of your question, at all events, As for her mother—never mind! Talk enough for now, We're getting there!” ‘* Not the first, though!” muttered Silverblade, pointing ahead, where a faint shadow seemed moving across the plain, far in advance, Horton smothered a curse in his throat, and then, heading for a point of cover which he had already selected should such an emergency arise, the two pards left their horses, looked to their weapons, then swiftly yet noiselessly advanced, The same cover of which Darnell’s gang took advantage, now stood honest men in good stead, and the pards were drawing near the silent ranch, when what bade fair to prove a fatal mishap, took place. Tom Frinkle caught the sound as Silverblade trod upon a dry stick that lay hidden under the leaves and grass, parting with a snap under his weight, He sprung to his feet with a wild scream, for he recognized Buck Horton, just beyond, He tried to fling up a pistol, but before he could do this, the half-blood was upon him, striking with the flat of bis tomabawk, his white blood gain- ing the upper hand once more, ‘* Quick! for the house!” cried Horton, snatch- ing up the fallen form and tossing it across his bowed shoulders, ‘It’s our only chance!” Running swiftly, apparently without feeling the weight of bis burden, Big Horn Buck dashed from cover and straight for the still dark build- ing, Silverblade running lightly by bis side, ‘The instant they reached the open, Dave Dar- nell yelled out savagely, at the same time open- ing fire with both pistols. And, from Winches- ters as well as revolvers, bullets came hissing after those racing forms, Not only were they menaced from the rear. Crack, sping, bang! came shots from the ranch itself, though Horton called out that they were friends, not enemies, It seemed a miracle that such should be the cuse, but the two pards actually gained the friendly darkness under the trees surrounding the building, alive, and without serious hurt! ‘‘ Stand ’em off, if they close in, boy!” cried Horton, then making his voice even more dis- tinct as be added: ‘* You know me, Dancer! [’'m Big Horn, and those are Darnell’s gang! Open up, or we're ail gone!” » Even as he spoke, the heavy door before which they stood was swung open, and then slammed shut the instant they passed across, the threshold. And while Big John spoke, his sons were shooting. ‘* What is it, friend? Why have you—what’s this?” as the Border Beagle dropped his limp burden to the floor, to fill his bands with firearms and jump toward one of the loop-holes, ‘A raid on your stock, Jobn, and murder if you try to save ’em by breaking cover,” was his swift response. The still sleepy half-blood stared almost stupid- ly from face to face, frowning a bit darker as he noted the Indian garb of the young Shoshone, but as Silverblade thrust his rifle through a loop and added a couple of shots to the fusilade main- tained by the others, his heavy brows began to sniooth once more, ‘They don’t know wkat to do first!” grimly laughed Horton, peering through the smoke- vailed loop for a brief space, ** We kicked their ideas and plans all crooked, Davie!” “There’s one that ‘ll do a bit of kicking on his own account!” the younger of the two sons observed, with an echoing laugh, only to have the remark capped by bis brother with: ‘¢ Nine’s past kicking, Dennis!” ‘And the rest have drawn off to think it over,” chimed in Horton, turning away from his loop to speak rapidly, earnestly, with John Dancer, though his big brown eyes passed on to rest with a softened yet ronbiel light upon the face of emt Big John’s only daughter. ‘*Tr’s har luck, my friend—mighty hard luck! They’ll sweep your stock clear, evenif they don’t come again for blood!” ‘They must pay for every scalp before teking it,” was the grim response, and be might have said more, only for the coming forward of Silverblade, who spoke rapidly, almost harshly: ‘Too much talk! Is there a way out on that side?” with a nod to the rear of the building, ‘What do you want to do, pardner? Go for help?” Otel me where the nearest help can be found, and I will go. They are too many to fight, when. they bring fire to help, Quick! if they bave time to surround the house, there’il be no such thing a8 getting away without being seen!” In his strong excitement, the half-blood un- consciously forgot to maintain his Indian-like method of speaking, but that fact only con- vinced Big Horn Buck of bis thorough fidelity, now that the real test of honest manhood was applied. | salt ‘‘He’s right, and I answer for him with my life, Dancer!” said the detective, as Big John drew back with an air of distrust. ‘ You can do the trick, Davie, if any man can, so—" and he hastily but clearly gave the Shoshone directions for his best course in search of help, He had scarcely completed those few words, ~ ~*~ ee A ‘ ai —~ —_— ———_ sy a ——_ —44- i “ — ag ey Ps if ' “yo. in - . ‘ ;’S