Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 766 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

Dashing Charlie, the Rescuer. Back to his own quarters he went now, and heard the reports of scouts coming in, He smiled grimly when he learned that the soldiers had retreated, and were not pressing on toward the stronghold, But he sent out others, to be sure that it was not a ruse «f the pale-faces, and then returned to the Medicine Lodge, where he had left the prisoners. He sought old Snow Head at once, and placed the situation before him, telling him just the stand taken by the Singing Dove. The aged chief listened attentively, and then was lost in deep thought. ‘*How can we get around this, Snow Head?” asked the renegade, He knew that the old medicine-man was the sage of the tribe, that he knew every law, super- stition and legend by heart, and if there wasa oo place from the act of the Singing ove he would known how to go about it, At last, aftera time so long that the rere- gade showed his impatience, the medicine-man said: ‘*The prisoners were captured by the Red Hair?” sé Yes.” ** Not by your warriors?” ‘** No, 1 seized the bridle-rein of the man, while the Red Scalper captured the boy,” ‘*Then the man you can claim, for the Sioux law is tiuat a prisoner taken by the head chief ee be protected against the will of that chief. ‘**Good! then Captain Emmprtt, at least, is at my mercy by this exception in the Sioux laws,” cried the renegade triumphantly. CHAPTER XXI. THE RENEGADE'S DEMAND, THE renegade chief seemed pleased at what he Isaroed from the oll medicine-man. He could triumph over the Sioux Queen, and he could have Captain E:imett wholly at his mercy, to kill him if he did not come to his terms, As for the boy he did not care so much, but was determined to bring him to terms also in the end, He decided to let the prisoners rest until the morrow, so went to his tepee, and from thence on 4 round of the sentinels, After his return be retired to rest, for he was utterly worn out witb. his loss of sleep and hard work. The Indians kept up their wailing until nearly dawn, and at sunrise began again. But the renegade chief slept on until he was awakened by the Red Scalper, That the latter bad brought the news of the meditated attack the warriors knew, and Scal- per Sa.o, or the Red Scalper as he was called by the Indians, was very glad to find bimself much respected by the tribe with whom he had cast his lot, by turning renegade to his own people, ‘* Well, Scalper Sim, what is 1t?’ asked Red Hair, as his ally and lieutenant entered his tepee the following morning. ‘You are late in rising, chief,” ** Yes, 1 was worn out; but has anything gone wrong?” ‘No, for I have just returned from the trail, and the soldiers have retreated to their respec- tive posts,” **And Emmett’s men?” “Have returned to Omaha, doubtless believ- ing their captain and the boy dead.” ‘Good! but they were in heavier force than you said?” ‘Ob, no, only the Rescuers were hard to fight, and the soldiers came upon the three dif- ferent trails by forced marches and arrived nearly at the same time, “We doubled them in numbers easily, only they cannot frighten our braves and set them to flying. ‘That the soldiers were not iu heavy force is shown by their quick retreat,” ‘* Well, as they retreated instead of pressing us here, we must prove that ours was the vic- tory, Sam.” ‘Yes, the Indians must be made to see it in that light, and so their wailing can be turned to oy thee he renegade chief had now dressed bimself, and he went out to the rustic table and seat where he ate his meals and did the work devoly- si eat bim as chief, when the weather was e, A squaw had his breakfast ready for him, and _ it was @ good one, for be constantly got sup- , plies from the posts through his spies. There was a cup of coffee, some wheat or hoe, cake, bacon and a boiled venison steak, Scalper Sam ate breakfast with him, saying nothing of baving performed that, to him, cheer- ful duty before tbat morning. Then the two mounted their horses and rode toward the medicine-lodge of old Snow Head, The camp was in great excitement at the death of the warriors, but as he neared the scene of the confusion the renegade chief made known that Scalper Sam bad just arrived from tbe fort and the soldiers and tordermen were in full flight, loaded down with their dead and wound- ed, the Sioux braves having driving them like a herd of deer before a pack of wolves, Tous the key-note was started and the howls of sorrow were tuned up to be notes of gladness, and the whole village soon rung with rejoicing at the great victory over the pale-{aces, for so the renegade chief bad put it. ‘Arriving at the Medicine Lodge the two renegades found the prisoners still secured to the tree, They were taking it as calmly as circumstances would permit, and eyed the renegades with an air of perfect indifference, The old chief met them and bade them wel- come, It would take a second glance to see that the two men were whites, so hideously painted were their faces; but a closer look revealed the long red curls of the chief, and the dark locks of Scalper Sam were too silken in texture for an Indian’s hair. Dismounting they advanced toward the prison- ers and sat down upon a log. ‘* Well, Captain Emmett, I have come to have a talk with you,” began the renegade chief, ‘*T am sorry of it, for 1 do not care to talk with one so vile as to turn his hand against his own race and out-Indian a red-skin in cruelty,” was the quiet response of the fur-trader. ‘Well, the Indians I have learned are my friends, the whites are my foes, and J go with those who befriend me.” ‘‘The whites are your foes because you are a born cut-throat and villain.” ‘*T came not here to argue my character with ou, sir, but to make a demand upon you,” ‘* Well, what is it?” ‘‘You know where lies the gold mine of Nick Nye, who died in your quarters at Omaba?” ‘*Granted that i do for the sake of argu- ment.” ‘*] demand that you direct me how to find it, or guide me there, in return for your being set ee. ‘* Tf I decline?” ‘* You shall die,” was the savage answer. CHAPTER XXII, THE REFUSAL, CAPTAIN EMMETT dii uot flinch under the severe words of the renegade chief, He simply smiled and said: ‘* Did you ever consider, renegade, that there was but one time to die?” ‘*T can make you die a thousand deaths.” ‘Yes, by torture you can make me long to die and be glad when the life is leaving tbe body. ‘* But you do not know me if you believe you can force me to betray a trust,” ‘* What trust?’ ‘*You demand to know where Nick Nye’s mine is?” 4% Yes.” : Ste demand tbat I shall guide you there?” do,” ** Well, I refuse,” “Why?” 7 Because it was a secret given me by a dying man, ‘** And you intend to keep it for yourself?” ‘*In part, yes.” ** And the rest?” ‘*Goes to his mother and sister who are bis heirs.” ** Did he so direct?” ‘6 Yes,” ‘* He has no kindred.” ‘* He has,” ‘* How do you know?” ‘* | have bis confession.” ‘Tt was a false one.” ‘** Dying men do not lie, renegade,” ** You believe what be told you?” “ T know it to be true.” ‘* How so?” ‘*T have in my possession letters from his mo- ther and sister to him,” ‘* Ah, what do they amount to?” ** And from them to me,” ** T do not believe you,” ‘* What do I care what you believe, or not,” ** And he left his money to them?’ l 1 ‘* He left half to them and half to myself, for was to find the mine and get from it the best results,” ‘‘ Where are these papers you speak of?” ‘* Safe from your clutches,” ‘* Does the mine pay?” ** It will, from all accounts, pay most liberally indeed,” ‘‘ Well, all I have to say to youis that this expeaition of yours up here was to get to that mine under the protection of the military, and you have failed, while tre soldiers have been badly defeated, and are flying for their lives back to tbe settlements, leaving you in my power,” ‘The only thing true in your assertion, Rene~ gade Red Hair, is tha t you bave me in your power, for my men beat you « ff, and then ycw were badly whipped by the soldiers, who have retreated as they were not strong enough tw come on here until their reinforcements arrived, which will enable them to—” ‘‘Hal are there more coming on? ‘You did not speak of tbis, Scalper Sam?” and the chief grew excited, Captain Emmett laughed, while he said: ‘*It shows how little you are posted, how swiftly you fled from the field, when I can give you such a scare, ‘‘Why, man, if you bad defeated the soldiers you would never have left off trailing them while there was bope of a scalp, and your peo- ple would bave returned to their lower village, instead of hiding here, where every warrior you have is here to defend you against attack, ‘* Weeping and wailing is not a sign of re- joicing, renegade.” The chief uttered a savage oath, for he saw that Captain Emmett had the situation as it was, Then he said: ** Well, believe as you please, but the fact re- mains that you know where the mine is and that you are safe in my bands.” ‘*Granted again,” ‘* Now it is your life against your secret.” ‘You demand my secret?” ‘¢ Yes.” ‘¢ Of Nick Nye’s mine?’ $+ Yes.” ‘* Or will take my life?” “7 will.” ‘* These are the terms you offer, my life against gold?” ss Yes,” ‘¢ And the boy?” ‘© Is not included,” ‘¢ The mine is said to be a rich one.” **So I have heard,” ‘* It is worth both our lives,” “Well, I will give you both your freedom if you will guide me to the mine,” “Yes, and have your warriors ambush and kill us before we bave gone far on our trail home,” ‘*T would not thus break faith wit you,” ‘* Bab! you would not break faitb, you buman hyena? Don’t talk of what you would not do, for you would be guilty of any crime: in fact, I Lelieve there is not a single crime that does not lie at your door.” Captain Emmett spoke with fierce ernphasis. The renegade chief uttered an angry cry and sprung to his feet, his knife in bis hand. ‘Strike, you covard renegade—strike at the beart of Dashing Charlic and myself, for we do not fear to die,” cried Captain Emmett, daunt- lessly, while Charlie added: «Yes, you would kill us, Red Hair the Rene- gade, only you fear you would destroy your hopes of fioding the mine. ‘Strike at our hearts, if you dare!” The renegade, infuriate as be was, did not strike, but with an oath returned the knife to its scabbard, while he said in a voice perfectly calm now, for he regretted his hasty action and tem- vy ‘*Do you refuse to trade the secret you pos- sess for the lives of your nephew and yourselt?” “T utterly and emphatically refuse, rene- gade,” was the ready response of Captain Em- mett, and he looked the white Sioux defiantly in the eyes as he spoke. CBAPTER XXIII, THE CHIEF'S TERMS. Rep Harr, the renegade, was foiled by the courage and determination of Captain Emmett, He saw that the man meant just what he said, wild horses could not drag the secret from him, The boy also showed the same determination to suffer with his uncle, whether he knew the secret of the mine or not. i. . - - < : ,: ‘ ’ » - - tat : ena - ay it 4e “a 3 ) . c= ae * Tavs os hug | ‘ CoO Mm — —*