Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 729 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

eee ry = a ee ee ed ~~ — “~. ee Silverblade, the Half-Blood. 13 when Mary Dancer came back from a tour of inspection which she had taken at the first word of leaving the ranch by the rear, and she said in clear, musical tones: ‘**T looked, but none of the enemy have come to that side, as yet, father. But if it is not safe, there is—” ; ‘“Come!” said Big John, nodding to the two pards, then leading the way to the rear room, where he quickly unhooked a stout shutter. “Tf 1 live, I will bring back help,” said Silver- blade, then slipped througa the wiudow and dis- appeared from their anxious gaze, CHAPTER XIII. THE BORDER BEAGLE AT BAY, Bia Horn Bvuok held his rifle at a ready, his keen gaze sweeping back and forth across the moonlighted svace beyond tke clump of trees, searching for what he prayed not to discover: sign or presence of the enemy on that side of the ranch. His ears were strained to follow the daring young half-blood, but not a sound came back to tell him what Silverblade was doing. He cau- tiously peered over the window: sill, fully expect- ing to catch sight of his pard crouching where his moccasined feet first touched the ground; buat the son of Weenamoo had vanished as utter- ly as though the earth had opened to swallow that peace-offering. Before Horton could extend his observation, rs. Dancer came in and spoke hurriedly to her husband, and catching a word or two, the Bor- der Keagle turned swiftly to utter: ‘* WV hat’s that about my man, John?” ‘*Tt’s dying he is, with the bitter black curse on his two lips!” agitatedly explained Norah Dancer, but Horton waited for no more, spring- ing to the front room, where Tom Frinkle still lay on the floor, much as his hated enemy had dropped him on effecting an entrance after that race through a hailstorm of lead. Patrick Dancer was on his knees, examining the wounds of the outlaw by the light of the candle held by his sister Mary. while their brother Dennis kept armed watch over the movements of the enemy, ‘Tis little use he ha8 for the likes of us, Mr, Horton,” gravely spoke young Dancer, looking up as the detective approached. “It can’t be so bad as that! The boy struck him Wit the flat, and that wasn’t— ;Holy smoke!” 8 “ Horn Buck bent over the prostrate figure, Tom Frinkle flashed forth his knife and _ made a feeble, uncertain stroke at the throat of his hated enemy; but it was not this venomous action that drew forth such a sharp, amazed ejaculation from those stern lips. Horton saw that the outlaw was lying in a uddle of his own blood, and after disarming his and, a hasty inspection revealed the cause. Although neither Silverblade nor Horton had been prt A ape by the storm of lead sent after them ave Darnell and his startled gang, no less than three bullets had hit Tom Friukle as his seuseless body formed-a shield to the back of the Border Beagle! “They're coming with a rush, I’m thinking!” just then Dennis Dancer called out in warning, at the same tims trying to secure a death-shot at one of those swiftly flitting shadows, Big Horn Buck swiftly disarmed the wound- ed outlaw, then bade Mary keen, Watch over the knave, and call for help in case he tried to move or do any mischief. e had time for no more, As it was, the brothers had fired their second shot apiece before he found his loop, and the lawless gang were still coming! * Under ordinary circumstances, with room for eyes to work in unison with hands, and daylight to define objects by, any one of those defenders would have felt shame at having to waste two bullets on a single target; but it is quite another thing, this firing through a loophole so narrow that moving an inch to either side will blind at least one eye, with one’s target in constant mo- tion, never twice taking the same shape or size, crouching, running, dodging and leaping, but always coming nearer, always— And so it came to pass that Dave Darnell, with a picked band of his most desperate fel- lows, actually gained cover of the darkness im- mediately surrounding the log building, and ausing barely long enough té gather fresh yreath after their wild gymnastics, made a des- perate rush at the front door, hoping to burst it open before the inmates could fairly divine their intention, The shock was heavy, but so were the squared timbers composing the door. The outlaws re- coiled, to come again, and yet again. But at their third assault, Big John Dancer had open an angling loop, through which he could com- ee y “he me ‘ , . ee “ - ae : < 4 ’ 4 4 3 bP (ws Le «, . “ . * . . «d "bese ‘ = Ff mand the space immediately in front of the door, and his revolver spat death into that hud- dled mass. ‘*Save me!” screamed Tom Frinkle, at the top of bis shrill voice, ‘‘ Get me free, or I'll sell out ee . Big Horn Buck gave a snarl of fury as he sprung back to where his enemy lay, cramming a fold of blanket over his mouth, though he knew that the harm had been done, That min- gled threat and entreaty surely must have been heard and comprehended by the outlaws, and now they would not dare retreat with their black work unfinished, Retreat they did, now that they found them- selves exposed to a cross-fire which they were unable to return, and once more the Dancers had brief practice in shooting at flitting shadows, ‘* It’s plenty o’ digging we'll have, the day, if we honor each divil with a lone grave b himsel’!” chuckled Dennis, as he replenished his magazine and filled his revolvers with fresh Shells, ‘* Sure, then, it’s not the biggest balf ’o’ them that went back the same way they came!” ‘*Keep back from the loop, or—you see!” growled Big John, as the sharp report rung forth, and a bullet glanced from an inner edge of the aperture through which Dennis had just been peering, There was no need to ask questions, All present knew that at least a portion of the evil gang had found cover among the trees, ready to fire ‘at the flash.” And long before day dawn- ed, their bitter black work would be accom- plished, if the defenders tried to pick off their prowling foes, as before. Now that there came a lull in the hot work, Big Horn Buck took time in which to examine the hurts of bis prisoner more thoroughly, payin no attention t» the vicious curses and ma threats which Tom Frinkle gave forth at each labored breath. Only one of the three shots had passed com- pletely through that lank form, and Horton in- voluntarily gave his own shoulder a hitch as he marked the nature of that particular wound, The lead that caused it, had barked bim, as well! Either of the burts were enough to cause seri- ous apprehension, had he who took notes been dear friend or close relative to the sufferer, Taken together, Horton felt that it was little short of a miracle that Tom Frinkle had ever regained his senses, ‘* Better be praying, instead of cursing, Frinkle,” he said, gravely, after moving the out- law to a little bedroom, where he would be less inthe way. ‘* You'll never live to be hanged, as I thought. You'll be a corpse before the sun comes up again!” Knowing the wounded wretch could do no further harm, Big Horn Buck left him there, without pausing to hear the end of those korrible oaths and curses, And closing the door behind him, Horton joined John Dancer, to consult over their situation and their chances for pull- ing through with life, At the very best, the case was gloomy enough. And as proof positive that the evil gang meant worse than mere plunder, Big John spoke of his as yet untouched herd of blooded horses, ‘*I know,” nodded the detective, his face paling a bit as he looked toward Mary Dancer. ‘They meant to stampede the stock, first, then ick you off when you came out to see what Kicked up the racket. They meant to scatter your cattle, then leave them to be gobbled up y stray bands of hostiles. Then, when inves- tigation came, the whole blame would be laid upon the Indians, But now—” There was no need to finish. His meanin was reflected in that strong, gloomy face, an with Mary glancing that way, Horton found it hard to utter such black words, And so he shifted to a more agreeable point, all for her sake, If we can beat’em back until day, Silver- blade will bring help.” Who is he? What is he? I don’t like his ronee| marie’ Dancer. iS ttorn Buck explained, rapidly sketchin the history of his young ae bas his omens only deepened the doubts of the half-blood, who had taken an instinctive dislike to the son of Weenamoo at first sight. Still, thera was one point gained: Mary seemed encouraged by his words, and considerable time was killed by the explanation, Big Horn Buck brought that explanation to an end much sooner than he would otherwise have done, for a growing scent of smoke forced itself upon his nostrils, and he rose to his feet with a start. ‘‘Surely I smell fire!” he ejaculated, then staring at John Dancer, who was laughing, softly, yet harshly. ; ‘“Yes, John smelled it a good while. Pretty soon you see it, I guess, too! Mebbe so have to JSeel it, eh?” Despite that laugh, that forced composure, the real excitement felt by the half-blood was be- trayed by his lapsing into dialect, As a usual thing his English was fairly good, thanks to Norah, bis wife, and Mary, their daughter. But now the Cheyenne blood was coming to the surface, It was only too true, as Horton quickly re- alized by the increase of smoke and the red tinge the flames were lending the moonlighted space beyond thése trees, The cabin had been fired, and even if water was abundant enough to drown the blaze, Dave Darnell and his blood- thirsty gang weye on the keen alert to prevent. any such attempt, Big Horn Buck passed from room to room, taking observations on all sides of the ranch, He saw that the building was now completely surrounded by the enemy, and knew that the ex- | ploit of Silverblade could no longer be dupli- cated, To attempt to leave the house under that red glow, would be pretty much the same: as committing suicide. All doubts on this point settled, Horton re- joined Jobn Dancer, who stood near one of the loopholes, rifle in readiness to exact at least one more life in exchange for his own and that of his dear ones, ‘* There’s no way to fight the fire, John?” softly asked Horton, ‘* No way,” camethe grimly muttered response, ‘‘Then we can’t count on the boy’s getting back in time with help from your neighbors, but: —Jchn?” ‘* John’s ears are wide: let my brother speak his thoughts,” ‘We are four, andeach oneaman, We can make a good fight, if we once get room to turn about in, but they are thicker here in front, The devils keep watch on all sides, We'll wait. until it grows too hot, then make a dash, and die like men! Eb, John?” ‘* Four braves, but two squaws. brother forget them?” Does my “It’s them I’m tbinking of, Jobn,” with a grim laugh, enough to fetch the whole gang around in front, “We'll kick up a racket big then Mary and her mother can slip out at the back, and getclear. See?” ‘You would die for them?” slowly asked Dancer, their eyes meeting. : ‘““Gladly, if they—if Mary can only be saved, John,” was the low, earnest response, ‘*Good! You are a true man!” nodded Dancer, ag their right hands came together in a firm clasp, With naught to check their progress, the flames soon ate through the roof, making the in- terior unbearable, and then Big Horn Buck said: ‘*T reckon. it’s time we were moving, John, if we're to give the women a fair chance for their lives, Don’t you reckon so?” “Itis time, Come!” CHAPTER XIV. RIDING TO THE RESCUE, WHEN Silverblade started on his perilous mis- sion, he acted rapidly, rightly believing that de- beration at that stage cision was better than d of the game, Although Mary had reported no signs of the enemy on that side of the building, and though his own keen glance had detected naught to be feared, none knew better than the young Sho- shone that he might be going to his death as he he through the opened window, here was cover enough close at hand to fur- nish hiding for a dozen enemies, and more than one deadly marksman might even then be train- ing his sights on that opening shutter. And for that reason, as much as any other, the instant. bis moccasined feet touched ground, Silverblade crouched low down and glided swiftly to the left, thus, in a breath, as it were, vanishing , from the gaze of his anxious partner. The half-expected shot did not come, and as Silverblade saw the heavy slab shutter close, he bent low and stole swiftly away from the log ranch, He knew that he bad escaped observation thus far, else bullets would have come in haste to form his acquaintance, even if the outlaws feared to make an actual charge. ing this, he took ane chances than he would have deemed advisab stances, in order to leave the ranch fairly behind him before his escape could be discovered, And know— e under different circum- The lay of the ground favored him to some. extent, and his swift movements did the rest, Without shot or shout to denote discovery, the young half-blood crossed the comparatively” bed Ol a, . Pad 2 owl ‘i