Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 755 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

6 ' Gold-Dust Dan’s Oath. Less thana hundred yards tothe rear rode three members of Red Panther’s band in hot pur- suit, while but a rifle-shot ahead, spread out in the form of a huge crescent and sweeping toward her with the speed of the wind, were a full score horsemen, That this latter party were also outlaws bent on her capture, the girl bad not a doubt, and the very hopelessness of her situation roused her to decisive action. ** They are foes—every scoundrel of them!” she cried, a fierce strain creeping into her sweet voice. ‘* Yield I will not! Death before cap- ture!” Her blue eyes aglow, her face marble-like in its pallor, Media dismounted and leveled her light rifle across the saddle. An instant, then over the moonlight plain rung the sbarp report, and the horse of ber foremost foeman went down, catching bis rider and pinion- ing him underneath with a broken leg. A ringing cheer from the distant horsemen greeted the shot, but onward coursed the remain- ne pursuers, heedless of their comrade’s ate. Again and again the Winchester cracked, and a horse galloped away riderless, while the last of the trio flung himself from the saddle to seek the shelter of the tall prairie grass, It was a vain attempt, for even as his feet touched the earth a bullet entered his shoulder and he went down crippled for life. Then upon the squad of approaching horsemen Media turned her rifle, her face gleaming white and cold in the moonlight, '* Halt!” As that single word of command rung from the lips of their leader, every man drew rein, while the speaker spurred forward with a white *kercbief held aloft, On and on, till scarce twenty paces lay be- tween him and the heroic girl. Then: “Hold! Explain your errand!” Clearly Media uttered the words, and her rifle covered the chief of the night-riders, ‘‘T came as a friend, lady—not as a foe!” was the quick response, as the horseman abruptly halted. ‘*Outlaws though we are, we war not on wo- men, and are here to offer you safe convoy be- yond the reach of Red Panther.” ** Indeed?” and Media’s red lips curled scorn- fully, ‘‘ Between you and Red Pantber, Sir Robber, I can make no choice, for your treach- ery is known to me, ** For it was you, Gold-Dust Dan, who under the guise of friendship, attempted to lure the train into a deadly ambush, to cheat Red Pan- ther of his prey. “To your offer I say no/ Go back to your men and tell them brute force must take the place of treacherous cunning—that whuile life re- mains I will not yield!” The youth bowed his head, and his face grew white and stern. Media Bradlaw’s words had scored him deeply. ‘* Listen, lady!” he cried, bis eyes flashing, his voice sharp and imperious, ‘‘ Let the full truth be known, for your plight is most desperate, and you should vot decide blindly. ‘“*T am Reckless Roy, road-agent and outlaw, if it please you, and the men at my back are sworn to follow me through thick and thin. But never a cold-blooded murder can be laid at their door or mine, nor have we pillaged the r, the weak or the balpless, Our prey bas n the lawless, our mission one of reprisal against the red-handed outlaws infesting the hill and the plains, ‘** For weeks we have been planning the exter- mination of Red Panther and his renegades, and while hounding him I learned of his plot with Hackamore Hank, and at the earliest moment ible warned Jonas Bradley of his peril.” ** Under the assumed name of Gold-Dust Dan, and with a recommendation that be encam within the cunning ambush you had arranged, uttered Media, coldly. “Under an assumed name—yes!” was the swift retort. “To bave revealed myself to Jonas Bradlaw as Reckless Roy would have put at naught my efforts in bis behalf, Of the am- bush you bint at, I know nothing. Indeed, when [ rode away to my band | left between Red Pantber and the train, to give warning of the outlaw’s approach, one Hawk-Eyes, a faith- ful scout. ‘“*As luck would have it, I encountered my followers a few miles to the south, They had learned of Red Panther’s design, and had broken ip to attack and thwart him. Weare too late to save the train, but we offer you escort to ja place of safety.” ““And again I[ decline that offer, Reckless — Roy,” cried Media, sternly. ‘‘Now go, and withdraw your men, or I shall open fire!” The young outlaw bowed gravely, wheeled bis horse and slowly rode back to his band. ‘* Fall in, boys! Ride to the west, and leave the way open lor the lady to pass,” be ordered. ‘* Put on your masks and stand ready to give Red Panther a tussle, for, by heavens! if he at- tempts her capture be must first rout us!” Silently the men obeyed, moving aside in a solid body. Then as they halted and faced about, a shout of horror burst from their lips— a shout followed by a piercing scream from Media Bradlaw! For the girl was struggling in the grasp of a brawny Sioux warrior, while from their cov- erts in the high grass to the east rose nearly a score more, to pour a volley into the ranks of the outlaw band, ‘* Revolvers, boys, and at them!” thundered Reckless Roy, striking spurs to his borse, and plunging forward. ‘ Leave the girl to me!” Like an avalanche the desperate band swept forward, fearlessly, every man with a cocked ‘*six” in each hand, a wild battle-yell ringing from his lips. Before that terrific charge the Indians broke and fled, dropping out of sight in the grass to escape the deadly revolvers, intent only on reaching their horses in safety. For they had gained their end—the capture of Media Bradlaw! Three hundred yards to the east, and gradually edging off to the north, mounted on Hurricane, with the girl in bis arms, rode the leader of the — his painted face aflame with savage tri- umph., But that triumph wasshort-lived, A warning yell from one of the fleeing braves caused him to glance back, and his expression instantly changed to one of rage, not unmixed with cha- rin, Less than a hundred yards distant, sweeping over the plain like an avenging centaur, came the chief of those dread riders in buckskd4n, bis horse gaining on the doubly-burdened animal of the savage at every bound. That escape by flight was out of the possibil- ities, that one glance assured the red-skin, Ut- tering a furicus yell, be wheeled the horse and confronted bis foe, ‘* Back!” be shouted, his face distorted with fury, as he whipped out bis knife and poised it above the heart of the girl, ‘* Back! or Long Wolf kill the pale-face squaw.” Back upon its hauncbes went the mighty horse bestrode by Reckless Roy, for the young outlaw knew the warrior’s words were no idle threat. ‘‘Back! back!” roared the savage. ‘“* Ho! would the—” The sharp crack of a revolver, a scream of pain, and the glittering blade fell to the ground. His arm shattered by that adroit snap-shot, Long Wolf wheeled his horse and again sought safety in flight, After plunged Reckless Roy, urging his horse toa magnificent burst of speed, and the chase was ended, For, as he ran alongside, the out- law again fired, and his bullet found the brain of the relentless savage, In time, too, to save Media Bradlaw from a eng 5 fall as the arm of her captor relaxed, was the dashing rider, and as he deftly caught her about the waist and swung her to a seat before him, the death-stricken red-skin toppled from Hurricane’s back, Thus eased of bis double-burden, the sagacious animal stopped, and at her request Media was transferred to her own saddle, ‘*'You are a brave man, and it isa pity you are an Outlaw,” the girl observed, quietly, her the masked face of her rescuer. ‘* You have rendered me a great service, and I thank you.” ‘* You’re welcome to the little I’ve done, miss,” Reckless Roy returned, a grimly, earnest strain in his voice, ‘* Mebbe ye won’t thank me so much when ye learn what I’ve determined to do!” ‘* And what is that?” ‘* Hold ye captive till ye’re safe out of this neck o’ the woods! I’ve earned the right to look after you, and I’m goin to do it!” ‘‘I’m powerless to prevent you taking the matter in your own hands,” Media observed, ** But I should much prefer to go alone,” ‘* Out of question, miss. Naturally, ye don’t like to trust yourself in the hands of an outlaw, and in that ye’re right. But, I assure you no harm shall come to you, and you may keep your horse and your weapons, and be at perfect lib- erty, with the sole restriction that ye make no attempt to escape,” Media gravely inclined her head, saying: nts ‘ . ~, ‘ i Le , ‘. ie ' dark blue eyes scanning all that was visible of a — ‘IT am forced to submit. I accept your terms.” Silently the two rode back to the point where the band had gathered to await their return. ‘* Cap, shall I take a dozen of the boys and run over to that timber island?’ asked one of the riders, spurring alongside of Reckless Roy. 7 We might be able to give the train a lift, yet. “It is too late, Idaho,” replied the chief. ‘** Look yonder,” He pointed tothe timber island. Twenty-five or thirty horseman, red and white, had emerged upon the plain, and were charging straight toward the outlaw band, while back among the trees a bright red glow was springing up. ‘ Media choked back a convulsive sob. She realized the grim truth, ** You are rigbt, Cap, an’ I reckon it’s the lady they want now,” uttered Idaho, in a hushed voice, ‘‘Shall we mako a stand here, or back for the bills?” ‘* Break for cover, and give the devils a les- son!” Reckless Roy replied, his. dark eyes flash- ing. ‘*Our horses are good yet for a ten-mile dash, and I know the spot we want—a bit of timber just this side the foot-hills, We'll stand there, and if Red Pantber wants war, he shall have it to his heart’s content, ‘‘ Form the men, Idaho, and follow me.” And with Media Bradlaw at his side, the young outlaw wheeled his horse to the south- west. The band fell in, two abreast, and with Idaho alonein the rear, the dashing cavalcade set forward at a swinging lope. A yell from Red Panther’s men greeted the move, and then the chase began in earnest. From time to time Reckless Roy glanced back, and when five miles had been covered, a grim smile curled bis lips. ‘‘They hold their own—no more!” he mut- tered, the shade of anxiety mantling his face disappearing. An hour before dawn, a brief halt was called, and Idaho, with seven picked, men, fell back and aligned themselves along the crest of a swell, to bold the pursuers in check, With his rear thus guarded, Reckless Roy pushed on witb two others of his command, soon fording a small stream and entering a timber island—the point of vantage sought, Here the party stopped and dismounted, and made preparations to go into camp. Guards were set, the horses picketed and hoppled, and a wicky-up was erected in a secluded nook for the use of Media, One of the men had picked up the girl’s rifle at the scene of her encounter with Lone Wolf, and now Reckless Roy returned the weapon to her, with words of praise and encouragement. ‘‘ Get what rest ye can,” he advised, as he left her at the entrance of the wicky-up. ‘‘ You'll find blankets inside, and may sleep with perfect safety. Two men will guard against an ap- proach from any one who may slip through our outer line. And now, good-night.” ‘‘T thank you, Reckless Roy. You are not only brave, but generous, Good-night!” And with tear-dimmed eyes and trembling lips, Media Bradlaw entered the wicky-up. The young outlaw strode away with Lowed head and moody face, ‘* What a beautiful creature she is!” he mur- mured, with an involuntary sigh. ‘‘ Give ber over to Red Panther’s tender mercies?—never / I’ve cheated him of his prize, and while life lasts I'll never yield it!” : The crash of firearms out on the plain drew his thoughts into another channel, Idaho and his men had fired on the enemy, and a moment later came dashing into camp, : “Cap, I reckon we’re in fer a mighty tough rustle,” cried the leader of the rear guard, as he sprung from thesaddle. ‘“‘Two gangs of red bucks are coming am to reinforce the band ou there, while old Red Panther and a dozen of his renegades are three miles out riding like mad.” ‘¢ How mapy in all, Idaho?” ** Close onto a hundred, I reckon, Cap.” ‘Five toone. Not such big odds, boys, with the timber for shelter and wood and water at hand, We've been in tighter places and pulled through. : ; “ But get yourselves ready. Daylight isnear at band, and they’ll very likely attack us before sunrise,” Then, as the men burried away with their horses, Reckless Roy walked out and made a round of the sentries, after whicb he posted him- self at the northern edge of the motte to watch the maneuvers of the enemy. The pursuing party, now reinforced by the two bands of reds Idaho had reported, were ~~ a aa yo 2 ~~