Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 811 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

) ) i : | | : : ee ee eee ee sdoorway, bearing in his arms Grace Ren- wood, the beauteous hostess of the evening! Pausing for an instant, the marauder coolly surveyed the scene; then strode deliberately across the lawn to where a powerful horse im- ead awaited his coming. Swinging into he saddle, the audacious stranger put spurs to his steed, and, uttering a derisive yell, sped swiftly along the avenue leading to the high- way, bearing in his arms Ralph Renwood’s bride] The movements of the bold abductor, made perfectly visible by the brilliant illumination, were so cooland deliberate that the spectators could only gaze in blank astonishment, until the sound of rapidly-receding hoofs recalled them to their senses, Then, for a time, the burning stable was for- gotten, as an excited throng of citizens surged forward, wild with indignation, eager to pur- sue and punish the bold perpetrator of this mid- night outrage, ithin the mansion all was confusion, From the terrified ladies it was learned that the mys- terious unknown had suddenly invaded their midst, seized Grace in his arms and swiftly re- treated, atthe same time hurling some object across the room, Investigation proved this object to be a heavy bowie, still quivering in the oaken paneling, deeply driven by a dexterous hand. Binned to the wall by the glittering blade a sheet of paper fluttered inscribed with blood-red characters, **To RALPH Renwoon, greeting :— “Long have you dwelt in peace, but this night aed dream cf bliss shall have a rude awakening! eware! for Mad River has given upits dead! The time for revenge is at hand! Tremble, wretch, for swift and certain is the vengeance of “THe WHITE PHENTX.” Such was the ominous message that attracted the attention of the people and filled them with awe and mystification, Meantime, while many were staring at the threatening placard on the wall, the more self- possessed of the number were making active preparations for the chase Pursuit on foot was worse than useless, so a general rush was made to procure horses, Ralph Renwood was first to secure a mount. As he rushed distractedly about, half-crazed by the terrible calamity, a villager, ettracted by the fire, dashed up on horseback, To explain matterstook but a moment, andin a twinkling the steed had changed riders and was being spurred rapidly over the road taken by the anysterious marauder, he latter had chosen his course wisely, tak- ing the road that led out into the open country, where he was free from molestation. It was only by superior speed that the pursuer could hope to overtake him, fadly through the darkness rode Ralph Ren- wood. Words cannot depict the conflicting emotions that raged uncontrolled within his breast, The knowledge that the woman he cherished was helpless in the power of an un- known foe served to kindle his fiercest passions, and transformed him into a veritable madman. Bending over his horse’s neck, with blazing eyes fixed steadfastly upon the trail, the young man urged on the flagging animal, while the pale moonlight revealed a face pale as death, set, stern and resolute, Not an inch did he turn to right or left, Bet- ter for him had he looked behind, for now a new actor suddenly appeared upon the scene. Far inthe rear a number of Ralph’s friends came straggling in pursuit as fast as they could secure mounts; but in advance of these rode an- other horseman, who drew away from the others with marvelous ease. A short, squat, ungainly figure, whose head scarcely reached the level of that of his steed, sat like a statue in the saddle, The horse’s hoofs were muffled and awoke no echo as on he flew with the speed of the wind. Like a shadow flitted the wonderful steed with its mysterious rider, swiftly lessening the distance that separated them from Ralph Ren- wood, who still pressed madly on, unconscious that peril lurked behind, Nearer—nearer, until the head of the pursu- ing horse had crept up even with the young superintendent’s saddle, Then the latter turn- ed, dismayed, but too late to avoid the conse- quences, The gaunt form of the mysterious horseman stretched eagerly forward and his uplifted arm descended with terrible force upon the young man’s head. Without a cry Ralpk Renwood fell back to be grasped in the sinewy arms of his murderous assailant! eee The White Phenix, CHAPTER IIT. THE DEAD ALIVE. WHEN the hapless young superintendent re- covered consciousness, if was to find himseif ly- ing within a small apartment, whose only furni- ture wasa rickety stool and the rude couch of skins upon which he reclined, The walls were thickly hung with the skins of bears and other animals, while the floor was covered bythe same material, The roof was constructed of poles, covered by broad strips of bark, and topped with heavy boughs, the whole forming a perfectly storm-proot canopy. No entrance was visible, but small orifices in the walls admitted light and air, Only this could Renwood see, for on attempt- ing to rise, he found himseif securely bound; so he could only conjecture as to what was on the outside of his prison. Ralph’s brain ‘still reeled from the effects of the terrible blow he received, while the tight cords cut into his aching flesh; but bodiiy pain was naught compared with the mental anguish he endured, when the memory of the night just past returned to his confused mind. Anxious to learn the fate of his beloved wife, not to mention his own painful predicament, the young man chafed within his narrow prison, The solitude was irritating, and he waited im- patiently for some one to appear. Presently a portion of the skin-clad wall was pulled aside, and in the opening appeared agig- ure, at sight of which the prisoner gave an ex- clamation of wonder, not unmixed with dis- may. The form was that of a negro, black as the proverbial ace of spades, and a more hideous creature it is difficult to imagine, He was scarcely five feet.in hight, with broad chest and shoulders, upon which rested a repulsive head, bullet-shaped with flaming eves and cavernous mouth which, opened, en a set of sharp, gleaming fangs. His back bore the burdenofan enormous hump. The legs of this human mon- strosity were frightfully bowed. His arms were remarkably long, with huge hards that termi- nated in fingers long and bony like the claws of an >agle. Not satisfied with the manifold afflictions be- stowed by Nature, the hideous being had pierced his nose and ears for huge rings, cannibal fash- ion, and also smeared his face with gaudy paints, allof which went to highten the grotesqueness of his appearance, The creature’s attire was simple, consisting of a scarlet shirt, and tattered breeches, the latter being tucked into dilapidated boots, and held in place by a broad belt fairly bristling with weapons, Such, in detail, is a description of the nonde- script being who appeared before Ralph Ren- wood, Fora moment he gloatingly contem- plated the prisoner, his ugly face distorted by a diabolical grin, then, without a word, withdrew as abruptly as he entered. The young superintendent drew a long breath of relief, when the curtains closed between Lim and the frightful apparition. He was con vinced that his recent assailant and captor was identical with the hunchback; but certain it was, he was not the abductor of Grace, The negro must have at least one accomplice, Yes. A moment later the curtains were again drawn aside. A man confronted the ‘prisoner, Ralph’s eyes opened wide in surprise. Was he awake or dreaming? Was this a museum of human monstrosities, into which he was spirited? The new-comer was by no means so repulsive as the first visitor, yet his appearance was none the less wonderful, He wasa tall and muscular fellow, roughly clad and armed to the teeth. What rendered him an object of wonder was the fact that his face, neck, hands—all visible portions of his skin, were of a peculiar, snowy whiteness! Even the hair and beard were bieached, by. some mysterious agency, to the same immaculate hue! His face was seamed with many scars, of all shapes and sizes, which — with startling vividness upon the snowy skin, This extraordinary disfigurement gave its possessor an aspect strange and unearthly. He advanced into the room, fixing upon the pin- oer captive eyes that glowed like balls of liv- ing fire, r My black friend told me you had recovered your senses,’ he exclaimed, in a cold, stern voice. ‘*It is well; for I have something im- portant tosay to yeu. Ha!” At the sound of the phenomenon’s voice Ralph Renwood had given a violent start of recognition, The speaker observed it. TTT — 3 ‘‘'You know me, then, Ralph Renwood?” he interrogated, The young man eagerly scrutinized the ghost- ly features of his visitor. Of a surety he had Leard that voice before, A peculiar tone it was, and the only person he ever heard use its like was his old foe and rival, the lieutenant of the Black Brotherhood— ** Dave Darke!” , The words fell wonderingly from Renwood’s ips. ae of the spectral face laughed sardonically. “‘ Your memory serves you well. I haruly expected you would recognize me, such a change has taken place. Very good! It saves me the trouble of introducing myself,” Hardly able to credit his senses, Ralph Ren- wood glared at the speaker in mute amaze- ment, Dave Darkein the flesh? Impossibl: ! With vivid distinctness he recalled the fatal morning that witnessed the destruction of the Black Brotherhood, With his own eyes he had seen the outlaw-freighted locomotive take its terrible plunge; had seen the forms of Darke and his chief, as, locked in a close embrace, they were whirled swiftly away upon the bosom of Mad River. Evenif not killed outright by the fall, nothing short of a miracle could save him from death upon the jagged rocks that strewed the stream, Yet the voice was the same—yes, the features were familiar! Restore to the snowy skin its natural complexion, give to the hair its original color, and there was Dave Darke, grim and un- mistakable! With folded arms and twinkling eyes, the visitor gazed steadfastly at the prisoner, hugely en joving the latter’s bewilderment, ‘*] see you are nonplused at sight of me, Well, that is not to be wondered at, But listen, while I offer a brief explanation, which may re- lieve your perplexity. First, however, | have something to show you!” The man who claimed to be Dave Darke ad- vanced to the end of the apartment opposite that through which he had entered. Drawing aside the bearskin curtains, he revealed another room similar to the first. It contained an occu- pant—a lady, who, bound hand and foot, re- clined upon a couch, It was Grace Renwood, clad in her elegant ball-dress. Her luxuriant hair was tossed in wild confusion; her face wore traces of severe mental anguish, The eyes of husband and wife met in painful recognition. ‘*Oh, Ralph, my husband, save me!” shrieked Grace, At sight of his helpless bride, the young man’s fury wasrekindled, With desperate energy he sought to free himself, but the cords defied his mightiest efforts. Hisarch-enemy watched him derisively, ‘*Calm yourself, my dear Renwood,” he ad- vised, coolly. ‘* It’s quite useless to work yourself into such a state of frenzy, Pray be attentive, while I my marvelous tale unfold.” He drew up the stool, and seated himself ina position where both prisoners might hear, ‘* Of course,” he began, ‘* you well remember the catastrophe that brought the Black Brother- hood to an untimely end, When the engine plunged down to destruction, I, in common with my associates, was too terrified to move a finger, Down—down we went, striking the water with a mighty crash, A flying object struck me upon the head, and I knew no more. ‘‘ When I regained my senses, it was to find myself lying in this very cabin. I looked about for my deliverer. He soon appeared, in the shape of the horrible being = ays, ou have just seen. To my weak and clouded imagina- tion, he seemed a very fiend from Hades, In my fury, I sprung up to grapple with the de- mon; but the effort was too great, and I again fell back unconscious, ‘* For long, weary weeks and months I lay in a semi-conscious state. Now lying for days like one dead; anon, raving and cursing like a madman, All memory of the past was lost to me. My grotesque companion cared for me as well as his limited knowledge would permit. At last I began to improve, very slowly at first, but steadily. One by.one, past events came back to me, body regained its natural powers; and at length [ arose, as well and strong as ever, but how changed! A ‘¢‘PDuring my illness, every particle of m skin, together with my hair, turned from their atural color to the ghastly hue you now see, he ca of this phenomenon is beyond m feeblé Pewers of penetration. Enough that amamarked man, But what matters 4 little | EGOMmMIGc cS 900 Col