Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 756 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

7% | OO The river being wide there the current at that point was not very swift, and by riding toward the upper end of the bar, Baldwin felt that he could hold the raft if be caught it, before it dragged his horse into deep water. Then he could teow the float and his boy pris- over ashore, where Bricktop would again com- pliment him upon beiug ‘‘ a dandy.” Charlie, however, did see the lariat, and rec- ognize the purpose of the man. So, far from wishing not to be noosed, having made up his mind that it was the best thing to be done, he was anxious and willing to be caught, though he did not intend to appear to be so. Had he not been a youth of great judgment, who grasped a situation fog and against most thoroughly, he would have recklessly endeavored to run the gantlet and thus go to his death per- haps, So down the stream floated the raft with its prisoner, who was watchful of the chances for and against bis being caught, while the kidnap- per waded as far into the river as he dared do, and held his lariat ready to throw. Nearer came the raft, and as it floated within range the desperado threw his lasso, the noose settled over the head of Dashing Charlie catch- ing him fairly, and causing him to cling hard to the logs with bis unbound hand to prevent being drawn off as. the lariat became taut, nearly drag- ging the horse off his footing with the force of the current, CHAPTER XVII. ONCE AGAIN A PRISONER, From the lips of Buck Baldwin a burst of triumph rung out at his success, which was echoed by Bricktop ashore. The man had calculated well, and knew that he was an expert with the lasso, He saw that the raft was coming within easy range, and bad noted that Charlie was in aline with one of the logs that stood several feet above the others, If be missed the boy he must catch the log. The boy, too, did not appear to understand his intentions, for he sat up straight, his eyes regarding him closely, Buck Baldwin did not know how fearful Vashing Charlie was just then that he might not catch him, But the lariat-thrower did not miss his aim; the noose settled down near Charlie, the raft swung around, and the lasso became taut. Then came the tug, for would the footing of the horse remain firm, or would he be dragged by the raft into deep water and be drowned? Or would the rider have to cut the raft loose and let it go? The horse felt the strain, as the lariat tight- ened, and was dragged along a few steps, But the rider had wisely ridden upon the bar as far from deep water as possible, thus givinga chance to check the raft, and thus he was able todo so. Once the force of checking the raft was over, Baldwin grasped the lassoin his hand and began to move slowly back along the bar tuward the shore, where Bricktop awaited him with a diabolical grin of satisfaction upon bis ugly face. “Yer got him, pard, neat and sart’in,” he ee out, as Baldwin drew nearer, turning the rait, ** Yes, [ bas him,” was the cool response, and then came the compliment from Bricktop, which the victor proudly hoped for. ‘You is a dandy, and don’t you forgit it, Pard Buck!” The expression upon the face of Baldwin showed that he did not intend to forget it, and fully concurred in the opinion of bis friend in + admiration of Buck Baldwin, desperado at arge. Finding that the raft was shoaling on the bar, Baldwin went back and took out his knife to set free Charlie’s legs for him to wade ashore. To his amazement he saw that the youth had partly saved him the trouble, as he bad the rope that bad bound both dangling to one ankle, while his rigbt hand was free, the left alone being secured to the belt about bis waist, ‘* Waal, ef you hain’t almost got away I’ll be darned,” he said in a surprised tone, “If I had’nt been able to free one hand I'd have been at the bottom of the river now.” ‘** How did yer do it?” “I just worked away until I got one band free,” “Well, you is ther slickest kid I ever seen, and it will be bard ter watch yer. ‘*But I guess yer hev bed a hard night of it, so Pll let yer go free fer a leetle while and git’ Dashing Charlie’s Destiny. breakfast, for we hain’t hed nothing ter eat et, ‘* Well, I am glad you have not, for 1 am as hungry as a bear.” They had now reached the shore, and Brick- top greeted the youth with the remark: ‘* Yer is back ag’in is yer?” ‘*T am bere,” was the cool response. ‘* Yer ought ter he all-fired thankful ter my pard Baldwin fer saving yer life.” ‘Well, I am not, as I have nothing to thank him for, for he got me into the danger.” ‘Yer will hev ter bev yer spurs youngster, for yer is too fresh and sassy. ‘“ But, stir yerself and get wood, for we wants breakfast right away.” Thus encouraged Charlie soon gathered a lot of wood, a fire was built and the coffeepot and fryingpan put on. Tbe men rested while the boy worked, after Buck Baldwin bad given the warning: ‘“* Keep away from near ther bosses, boy, and ef we sees any funny business on your part we’ll jist clap ther ropes onter yer ag’in.” This decided Charlie to make no attempt to escape, though he had made up his mind, bun- gry as he was, he would endeavor to gather wood near where the horses were feeding and suddenly pull up the stake-rope of his horse, leap upon his back and escape. But be saw that he was too closely watched, and felt that any act of his just then would be thwarted, ‘Yer ought ter be awful good ter my pard here fer saving yer life, kid,” said Bricktop, as they gathered around the edibles prepared for breakfast, ‘* He saved me from escaping down the river, that is all,and I have nothing to thank him for,” was the cool reply. Charlie enjoyed his breakfast greatly, and clipped, off on a trail, while they seemed to know well and just where it would end. CHAPTER XVIII. RENEGADES. CHARLIE soon discovered that his two captors were more than ever suspicious of bim, and it was complimentary to him to feel that he was so closely watched, Bricktop still nursed his wounded shoulder, avd at every twinge of pain from it would swear at the boy, who showed no regret for bis act. Baidwin led the way, and held the end of the rope about the neck of Charlie’s horse, e seemed to fully understand the course he was taking, and Bricktop followed with perfect confidence in the lead of his pard, They camped for dinner in the middle of the day, and again Charlie was freed from his bonds, to gather wood, build a fire and do the cooking. He was becoming a very fair cook, from his experience thus far in wild life, and he broiled a venison steak in a way that was very tempting. At night another camping-place was found, and what surprised Dashing Charlie was the fact that the two men did not seem to have any fear about building a fire, and both turned in for a sleep, neither standing watch, As bis blankets were dry, and he was very tired, he said he would lie down early, But he bad to wash the tin plates and frying- pan first, get wood for breakfast, and have all in readiness for an early start the following morn- ing. Then Baldwin was very careful to see that he was again securely bound before be went to bis blankets, The men showed no dread of pursuit, aod ap- peared to feel no fear of red-skins, while the fur- traders, as many as they were and thoroughly armed and equipped, were most careful to havea guard set and either Girard the guide or Pawnee Pete were scouting about the camp at night. Yet these two men held no dread of red-skins, to the great surprise of the boy captive. After supper Charlie went to his blankets, just as night fell, and worn out by his loss of rest the night before, and his hard work of the day, he was soon fast asleep, in spite of bis being firmly bound, The men followed his example soon after and the camp was 4S quiet as a grave, But at dawn Baldwin called the youth, who had slept like a log, and releasing him from the ropes that firmly secured him, ordered bim to get breakfast, Poor Charlie awoke to realize his situation, and at first felt very gloomy at the thought that he was still a prisoner. But be sooned raijlied, though he kept a look- Te ee ee tat Oa a ee eer ls De eae afterward was tied to his saddle, and the two ! not back down from it. men crossed the river at the ford, and started ‘**T see, and yer hears what be says, Pard Brick- b out for the coming of his uncle,which he fondly hoped for. The men too, in spite of their having covered up their trail so thoroughly by taking to the raft, also appeared a trifle anxious, and they were socB Ou the way once more, ‘“See here, men, where are you taking me?” suddenly asked Charlie as they were riding along the trail. ‘You'll find out when we git yer thar,” was the abrupt answer of Bricktop. ‘* Now what have I done that you should treat me as you do?” ‘* You'll find that out in time too,” ‘I reckon you’ve got the wrong boy.” ‘* You is Cap’n Emmett’s nephew, hein’t yer?” “* Yes,” ‘* Then yer is ther right one.” ‘Ab, you are puvishing me because you have a grudge against my uncle?” ** Waal that is about ther size of it; hain’t he a good guesser, Bricktop?” ‘* He be for sart’in,” Charlie asked no more but became interested in the scenery through which they were passing, and which was wild in the extreme. At last Baldwin said: ‘See here, young fellow, does you know what become of our pard, Barney?” ‘‘Ob, he was your pard was he?” ‘¢ He were a most dear and intimite friend.” '* Well be met with an accident,” ‘‘ How were thet?” ‘‘ He came skulking around camp at night to kill me, and got the medicine himself,” ‘* What were thet?” ** Lead pills.” ‘¢- You was ther doctor thet give ’em?” ‘‘ Yes, I saved my life by taking his.” Charlie regretted bis words at once after utter- ing them; but having said what he did he would top?” ** I does,” ‘*And now tell us about our dear Pard Lim- ber Joe q” Having said what he had, Charlie boldly an- swered: ‘Ob, he lost his life at a necktie party.” ‘‘ He were hanged?” “sé Yes,” ‘* What fer?” ‘‘ He came out as my guide to overtake the fur- traders’ train, and sought, with Barney, to kill and rob me. ‘But I turned the tables on Barney, managed to make Limber Joe a prisoner, and he deserted me hoping the Indians would kill me, ‘‘ He went to my uncle’s camp, told his story, and my uncle came back on the trail, rescued me, and your dear friend Limber Joe got hanged, ‘‘Now you know the story just as it was.’ The two men glanced at each other with know- ing looks, and it was in the mind of each one that they had a dangerous young customer to deal witb. An hour after they came in sight of a party of Indians coming along the trail, and Charlie quickly called out: **See those red-skins yonder?” ‘Ob, yes, and we is glad ter see ’em, for they is our friends,” ** Are they Sioux?” «4 Yes,” “Then you are renegades, for only a renegade white man could be friends with the Sioux,” said Charlie indignantly. ‘** Waal, they is our friends and we is takin you to their village, and thar you is ter stay,’ was the remark of Buck Baldwin. CHAPTER XIX. AN ARRIVAL IN CAMP, It was with a sad heart that Captain Em- mett went on bis way with his train. Of course, be felt deeply the loss of his nephew, for he was as deeply attached to the boy as though he were his own son. He could not understand who it was that bad captured him, or why they had done so, and the belief would force itself upon him that they were red-skins, and more of them were around in numbers, As he had not been killed when taken, he held the belief that, being so young, he would not be, and thus would be taken to the village of the Indians and kept as a captive. In this case, Charlie would show up some day he was sure, Had it been in his power to do so, he would have let the train gone, while he took the back tral to get belp for the search for the boy. seh Ls ~ -camicbooks ~ tS A 4 ore “} ’ 4 i, /) : mM