Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 756 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

10 “*Some of jem does when they capters shod horses,” | ** Well, the trail showed two shod horses.” ce Yas.” ‘“* And there were red stains on the ground, showing that one of the Indians or my nephew had been wounded.” ‘‘ He plugged one of the reds, I heerd.” ‘*T am glad of that; but did he kill him?’ ‘*No, pard, only wounded him, and it were well for him thet were all, or ther band would hev hed his scalp.” ‘* I suppose so; but where did they take bim?” ‘To the band’s camp, and then on to ther village,” ‘* How did they go?” ‘‘Thet I doesn’t know, pard, not bein’ with %am.”’ ‘* Where were you?” ‘*In my lone camp in ther mountings,” ‘“*How did you find out the boy was cap- tured?” 2 Tuere were two squaw-men as come and told me,’ * Well?” ‘*They come to my camp and told me ther In- juns bad captered a boy, and he said he were your nephew, and they was goin’ to ther fur country when he got roped in,” 6s Yes.” ‘* And they said as how they feared it would cause a uprising, as you was pretty powerful when riled up, and the sogers would help yer, so they asked me ter come on arter you, follerin’ ther trail of tber train, and negotiate with yer for ther boy’s return to yer on yer way ter Omaha, ** Now, Pard Cap’n, yer knows why I am here,” ‘Yes, I think I do,” was Captain Emmett’s thoughtful reply, while Doctor Chalmers said decidedly: ** IT know I do.” CHAPTER XXII. DOC CHALMERS’S SUGGESTION, **T DOES be glad yer understands me, pards,” innocently said the strange courier. ‘*What is your name, my friend?’ suddenly asked Captain Euimett, and his eyes were riveted upon the face of ‘the stranger, which the firelight revealed perfectly. ‘*My name were Si Saunders, when I were home in Virginy; but out here they calls me Lone Rifle.”’ ‘* Yes, [have heard of a trapper and hunter who was so called, ** Now, let us come to business?” ** Yas, pard.” **'You came here, Mister Lone Rifle, as I un- derstand it, to tell me that my nephew had been captured by Indians and taken to their village?” ‘** That’s it, cap’n.” *“‘In that Indian village there are certain squaw-men, or renegades, who fear trouble with the soldiers, as they have captured my nephew, and they wish to give him up?” ‘** You is correct, cap’n,” ‘*They dared not come themselves into my ar so sent you?” ** You is talkin’,” ** But they wish to get pay for giving up the boy.” ** You knows it all.” ** in other words they demand a ransom from me, and in return they will give up the boy?” ** Sure,” ‘* When?” P “On yer return from Omaha.” ““T see,” ‘You kin arrange with me whar yer will camp and Ill fetch ther boy inter yer camp.” “sé Vell.” ** How is the boy treated meanwhile?” ** Beautiful, ** How do you know?” ‘‘ That’s what the squaw-men told me.” ** Ah, and who are these squaw-men?” **One is called Bricktop and t’other Buck Baldwip. ** Does yer know ’em, cap’n?” ‘“Only by hearsay, as two of the grandest rascals that go unbanged to-day.” ‘* Lordy, you is down on’em.” ‘1 would hang either, or both of them at sight if I caught them to-day.” ** My! hadn’t they better keep clear o’ your camp?” ‘** Ef they have the slightest desire to live to be hanged later on they bad.” “Waal, Pard Cap’n, I guesses it’s the old story of give a dog a bad name and there hain’t nothin’ folks won’t say ag’in’ him, ————EEe Dashing Charlie’s Destiny. ‘* But them men hain’t so bad as they is said ter be, though they does live among ther [njuns, ‘* They wanted ter hev you git ther boy, and they wouldn’t see bim hurted; but the reds they said they must take his scalp, make an Injun of him, or git pay for sendin’ him back to you, one of them three things. ‘*So Baldwin and Bricktop come ter my cabin and told me all about it. ** Now I bain’t no Injun lover to a extent of lovin’ ’em more than I does my own people, and feelin’ sorry fer ther boy, | says Vl go an negotiate with you, and so here I is, cap’n.” ** Well, wy friend, I am thankful to you for your services, | assure you; but do you get no- thing out of this?” ‘*] don’t ask for nothin’, only I want ter feel I kept ther leetle lad from growin’ up a Iojun, or bein’ scalped,” ‘* Well, itis kindof you at least, and you shall not go unrewarded,” - ; ‘¢ Lordy, pard, J don’t want nothin’ for myself, savin’ a leetle powder and bullets, and caps, and maybe some terbacco ter chaw and smoke, a couple o’ blankets and sich other little things o’ no value yer might feel willin’ ter give me, along with some coffee and other grub.’ **'You shall be well remembered, my friend: but now tell me what the demands of those renegades are?” ‘* Well, cap’n, they wants yer ter say whar yer will camp on a sart’in day, on yer way back ter Omaha, and I'll be thar with ther boy ter git what they wishes you ter give ’em fer ther Injuns, for givin’ up yer nephew.” ‘And how much do they demand?” ‘‘ They wants up to ther tune o’ five thousand dollars, they says.” ‘““Ah! I see that this demand is not for the Indians, but themselves, for they would satisfy their allies with very little and keep the balance for their own use, ‘* Now I do not carry a bank with me, and so have no such money along; but I will pay a lib- eral ransom for the boy’s return, when we come back, and we can agree upon what it shall be then, and you can have the boy somewhere near so as to bring him to me when it is settled.” ‘* Waal, cap’n, jist say what yer will do and whar yer will meet me on yer way back, and I'll retarn and report to ’em.” ‘Let me tell you what to do, Emmett,” sternly said Doctor Chalmers, ** Well, Doc?” ‘* Hold this man a prisoner until you get hold of Charlie,” was the determined response of Doc Chalmers, The man started at bis words, and he seemed uneasy as he glanced at the captain to note the impression upon him, while he said: ** Hold me, pard, did yer say?” ‘* Yes, I would, and hang you, too, if that boy was not given up within a given time,” CHAPTER XXIII, STILL SUSPICIOUS. Ir was certain that the suggestion of Doc Chalmers hit thestrange courier bard, He grew quite nervous for a moment, and then asked: ‘‘ Lordy, pard, did yer say ye’d hang a inno- cent man?” ‘* ) don’t believe you are innocent, for I think you are the ally of those other renegades to bleed Captain Emmett out of all the gold you can get. ‘*You have the boy safe, that is certain, and you mean to sell him back to his uncle for every dollar you believe him worth to you.” ‘* Lordy, pard, yer is away off about me.” ‘Yes, Doc, I think you are severe upon our friend here,” said Captain Emmett, mildly. ‘You think so, for you believe this man’s story, Emmett, ‘‘Now be may be Lone Rifle, and live a hermit-like life as he says; but he is an ally, I'l wager big money, of the white renegades who dwell in the Indian villages, and he is here to make what capita] be can out of you for them and himself. ‘*In that case I say hold him a prisoner until our return and then let bis friends know that unless Charlie is brought into camp by a certain time this man hangs, and a raid will follow into the Indian country.” **Tt would be very hard on him if he is in- nocent,” ‘‘True, and if innocent he would submit to it to save the boy and protect you from renegade thieves, ‘¢ He can be treated well and so will not suffer, which Charlie certainly does in that Indian camp.” - + ~ (ie ee - ° ra 4 4 -- - A mm. Pere Se 8 ms teens ae ew ae oe = ** No, pard, he has his freedom and is treated fu’st class by Injuns and all,” ‘**How do you know this, Mr. Lone Rifle?” quickly asked Doc Chalmers, ‘*‘] know it because Buck Baldwin and Brick- top told me so,” ‘‘Then you were not in the Indian village?” ‘‘T were not.” . ‘‘The boy has not got his freedom I am sure, or he would have been here, for he is not one to submit to such a life, young as he is, when he could escape.” | “Thar hain’t no escapin’ from thet Injun camp, pards, for I knows thet much,” ‘Well, captain, you have heard my advice, so do as you deem best.” ‘* How could we communicate the news to the renegades that we have this man a prisoner?” asked Captain Emmett, to tbe terror of the cou- rier, who began to fear that he was to be held by the trainmen, ‘This man could tell you how to send word to them, and be would do so, if you put the rope about his neck.” ‘Lordy, pard, don’t yer talk that way, for I hain’t done nothin’ ter be roped fer.” ‘That remains to be seen; but what do you say, Captain Emmett?” ‘*T would not wish to wrong an innocent man, Doc, and I believe this fellow’s story about Charlie, though he may not be all that is good.” ‘That means you are willing to be bled by those renegade vampires to get the boy back again?” ‘““T am ready to pay all that I deem a fair price for Charlie’s ransom.” “Now yer is talkin’, and it’s thet only will give yer a chance ever ter see ther boy ag’in, ‘¢- You do as I says and I will promise yer ter tarn ther boy over to yer safe and sound on yer way back,” ‘* And what do you say?” 3 ‘‘T says ter pay ther money they demands,” | ** Five thousand dollars?” ** Thet’s the sum,” **T will do no such thing, ‘* In the first place I have not the money with me, and could not get it this side of St. Louis. “Then it is out of all bounds te ask such a m,” ‘*What gold won’t get lead and steel will,” said Doctor Chalmers, laconically. ‘* Waal, cap’o, I'll go back and say yer refuses ter trade, and Iam sorry, for they'll treat ther boy shameful, them red-skins will, once they knows you won’t give ‘em money for bim.” ‘¢ And would you see him thus treated, when itis in your power to save him?” sternly asked the captain. ‘¢ Pard Cap’n, yer don’t know me, and no man does that gent yer calls Doc, ‘* Ver see [ come asa courier from them two renegades, Buck Baldwin and Bricktop, and I tells yer what they says, **Now you says yer won’t pay no big money, but will do what are squar’, and thet it will be did when yer comes back, ‘*But it are my duty as courier ter go and report to’em as sent me what you Says, and then I has done what I agreed ter do. “Arter that I kin act accordin’ to my own idees, and they is ter git ther boy away ther mo- ment I sees any funny business thet these renegades intends ter play. ‘* So yer sea I are ther boy’s friend arter all.” “My good friend, ask your pardon for the doubt [ held regarding you, and I assure you that I will trust the safety of litule Charlie in your hands, for we can come to terms [ am cer- tain,” and Captain Emmett held forth his hand which was warmly grasped by Lone Rifle, while Doc Chalmers remarked: ‘Well, I still stick to my idea, Emmett, to keep this mana priscner, and hold his life against that of the boy’s.” CHAPTER XXIV. THE COMPACT. CapTAIN EmMMeEtt was a kind-hearted man and one who never wronged any one intention- ally by word or act, He felt burt that his partner, Doctor Chalmers, was stil) suspicious of the courier, and could not doubt in his own mind that Lone Rifle was just what he professed to be. So he said: “Doc, I think you are hard on our friend here, who appears to me tomean well.” “When he proves he is bonest, Emmett, I will ask his pardon most bumbly and make any amend in my power, even to answering at the revolver’s muzzle. : ; ‘But until then my idea is that he is an ally ‘ of these men, playing it sharp on you, and | a i A. ~aY = a 7, cbooks.com