Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 886 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

if he remained there long enough he would see som abi which would lead him to the one he sought The silence was profound and Jackwood final- ly fell asleep anddreamed. He fancied that a small white cloud gradually settled toward the’ spot where he reclfhed with his back against a soft, yielding mass of thick bushes,” A. short time it hovered cirectly over him, and then it slowly parted and in the midst of it he saw a face. Atiiret he thougkt it was the face of his sister, but graduallyit ‘changed until itappeared to be that of the boy who wore the scarlet sash. But, while Jackwood was gazing at the strange boy, another change took place. The boy be- camea girl. Her ‘face was wondr ously pretty and her red lips parted in a smile as she gaze zed toward the young man. Slowly she extended one hand and beckoned'to him, He fain would have gone to her, but it seemed that he could not stir. A look of sorrow came over tho face of the fair vision, and gradually she faded from his view, Then Jackwood seemed to hear a sweet voice singing. It appeared to be very faraway. He could not distin uish the words, but the air was familiar. He lay quite still, feeling en- chanted by the music from th» lips of the un- known singer of his dream, It seemed that he lay thus for hours, and, when he awoke, the sound of the song was still within his ears. He started up, exclaiming: ‘*T believe t at, like Ethan Shertnan, I have heard Amy singing |! I heard her voice while I slept. I did not recognize the song, but I] am sure that it was she.” With this belief in his mind, the young man again explored the ravine in the immediate vi- cinity. He found nothing, ‘* Wor the time I am ed,” he said, aloud as he paused at the foot of the path which led aE. out of me ravine, ‘* But l shall baunt this ace until I discover whether my hopes are vain or not. “Just now I am hnngry, and must have something to eat, I will not go to the cabin, for | have no desire to meet Ethan Sherman again to-day. I will endeavor to find and shoot game of some kind,” With this object in view, he ascended the path and left the ravine, Leaving Dismal Gorge behind, Jackwood struck out et random, hoping to soon come across game that he cou uld shoot and cook, An hour later found him far away from the ravine, but still tramping on, having been unsuccessful in his hunt, He was passing along a wooded defile, when the sharp clatter of a horse’s hoofs came to his ears, An instant he listened and discovered that the horse was approaching. With an agile spring, Jackwood reached cover and crouched in concealment, peering forth to get a view of the galloping animal. A moment later a riderless white horse dashed into view and swept by like the wind, An exclamation burst from Jackwood’s lips, He recognized the horse as the one ridden by | the boy of the scarlet sash. A faint cry of mingled terror and on floated down the defile. ‘*The boy is in trouble!” cried Jackwood, softly, and he broke into a run, heading to- ward the spot from whence came the sound, In a few moments hecame upon an unequal struggle. The strange lad who wore the scarlet sash was struggling in the hands of two brawny red-skins. Jackwood did not hesitate a moment, and be- the . "He dashed the butt of his rifle into the face of one of the startled Sioux warriors, petite him senseless. The other released the boy an turned on Jackwood, a knife gleaming in his _yight band. Be on, you red devil!” cried the young PS rhe ‘Tndian needed noinvitation. He leaped toward Jackwood, the knife flashing above his Jackwood struck at his red foe with the heavy rifle, but the warrior dodged the blow, . and Jackwood was forced toretreat toavoid the wicked knife. ThenJ ackwood erked out arevolverand fired y (bwice, the second time with the muzzle not two - feet from the breast of his foe, With a wild cry, the savage fell dead. TAR ‘That settles you,” said the victor, his face Jooking white and b] . ‘*T hope that you were one of the fiends who pesinipanne in the ee Canyon massacre.” ~~ ‘ 7 — - = — — ~ — . Ps oe = ~ _ ee we ~ PERE 00 gre eae - er ae _ | ‘3 ' > J . 4 “a2 mee wt : vo — ne @ Bb , a | ULC s ; fore a ay Indians were aware of it he was upon, | against the wall. Pr re gol Hout LarcLols Kieatin mca taetied 6 Vidor rotica kkninke) sai Old Dinedtons: “OT Rae felt a light hand on his arm and turned to see the boy at his side. The lad’s face beamed with joy and gratitude, and he said: ‘Sir, | have to thank you for rescuing me from the hands of these red marauders. hey were making me their captive when you so op- portunely appeared.” The color stole back to Jackwcood’s face, and swiftly he caught the hand which lay upon his arm, ** Don’t mention it!” he cried. horse go by and heard your cry of distress, was fortunate that I happened to be near.” ‘*You are right, sir,’ replied the lad, as his eyes fell before the young man’s earnest gaze, and ho swiftly withdrew his hand, a blush suf- fusing his cheeks, ‘‘I am very much in your debt. ** Not much,” laughed Jackwood, ‘' You warned me to- ‘day of the danger of a friend, and with my companion’s aid his life was saved. But for you he might have hanged.” ‘‘T am glad that you saved him,” said the ‘‘T saw your It Oy. ‘I have desired very much to meet you,” continued Jackwood; ‘‘now my desire is grati- fied, Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Jarius Jackwood. Will you tell me yours?” The boy hesitated a moment, then replied: ‘The men call me Little Scarlet Sash.” ‘The men!” exclaimed Jackwood, *‘' What men?” The boy’s face turned very red, and he stam- mered as he answered: ‘¢ Wriends—of course I have friends,” *“‘'To be sure,” assented the young miner, ‘* hixcuse my inquisitiveness. I had no right to ask that question.” The boy shot him a grateful glance, ‘* Now, we had better attempt to recover your horse,” said Jackwood. ‘' We will leave these red demons where a lay, One will have a sore head when he wakes up; the other has already crossed over to the happy hunting- grounds,” They turned their faces down the defile, whither the frightened horse had gone, and as they walked along they conversed pleasantly, but With some iestraint on the boy’s part. In- deed, the lad seemed w trifle ill at ease. Jackwood longed to fathom the mystery which hung around the lad, yet forbore asking too many questions. For some reason the young miner had become intensely interested in the boy. After a long tram ary of the defile, but stil visible, ‘¢ Where can he have gone?” asked the boy, anxiously. ‘* We must find him soon,” said Jackwood. .Again they started for ward, but bad not gone far before Jackwood espied the horse feed- ing $ ad y on @ grassy spot, ‘nere he is,” said the young miner. There was no response, He turned to look for the boy, and found that he was alone, Scarlet Sash had vanished! CHAPTER XII, OLD DISASTER’S DOOM, SHERMAN’s startling declaration brought a ery of consternation from the lips of the three men who beard it, The cabin was on fire! The four met looked into each other’s faces in a helpless, inquiring manner. They were re- warded by seeing a look of mingled rage and fear on every countenance. ‘* Ther dirty varlets!” gritted Old Disaster, ‘They raean ter burn us out an’ shoot us down as we leave ther cabing. Durn their rotten hides!” ‘*T believe ye’x’ right,” admitted Eben Stone, as he took down his rifle from where it hung ‘* Pd jike ter git er dig at ’em wi’ leetle ole Spotter hyer. I’d make one‘o’ ther dirtv ep sick ter the’r stummick, an’ don’t ye fergit thet / ** Pard,” turning to Cobb, ‘‘ we has got ter git out wat dust we've got an? divvy. This ole ranch is goin’ down, .We may not git erway wi’ ap cunce er yellow, but there hain’t northin’ like tryin’. we'd better putt it inter Ole Disaster’s han’s, I reckou thet ole galoot will stan’ ez good er show naa away as any c us, an’ I'll sweer by his ones Whites Stone and Cobb were dividing the gold, the best plan and Sherman were consulting on 6 bes they reached the mouth tbe white horse was not lan to follow, shell be forced out right in ther faces o’ As fer Jackwood’s sheer, p’r’aps —- he Border Nomad. te a ther rotten eink ” said Old Disaster, ‘‘ They kin lay under kiver an’ pick us off by ther light o’ ther fire. Condemn their black hearts!” ‘We are ina tight box,” admitted Sherman, gloomily, ‘‘and I cannot forget that I brought this trouble upon you all. If I had surren- dered—-” ‘*'Ye’d ’a’ bin murdered,” cut in the old bor- derman, ‘Thet’s sure ernuff,” ‘* It would have been better for cone to have died than for all. Yet the cowaraly rvffians may not turn their rifles u pron any one but me, You all may escape, while 1 may be riddled with bullets.” Sherman’s words set Old Disaster to thinking. The old man soon decided that Ethan was right. They might all escape unharmed except the youngest, and he might be the target for half a score of rifles. The crackling of the flames could now be 7 plainly heard, and it was apparent that the fire was making rapid headway. Evidently the desperadoes had used oil to assist them in their incendiary work. Old Disaster opened the trap-like window and gazed out. The light from the flames was be- ginning to be visible, and the darkness was filled with fantastic forms. The old man peered sharply into the gloom, but could see nothing of their enemies. ‘*{ don’t see northin’o’ ther dirty critters,” declared the old borderman, as he nervously fingered the long rifle which ho had picked up; an’ "tain’t best 1 fer ’em that I do. Ireckon l’d be guilty o’causin’ er funeral ef I did; I w’u’d, by ther sword o’ Goliath!” Sher in “mt Ne hain oft Disaster closed the window. . this time Stone and Cobb had divided the | gold and Jackwood’s share, which had been laced in two small leather bags, was given to th he oldranger andscout, He easily stowed them in two of his capacious pockets somewhere with- in his buckskin jacket, ‘‘ What hev ye decided on?” asked Stone. Old Disaster shook his head. ** Nothin’ fully. lan’-pirates kinder kerflummergates me, I don’ know jist w'at ter think o’ it. We bain’t heerd er soun’ frum ’em since they sot ther fire.” ‘* it can’t be thet they hev gone away.” ‘* No; but I reckon they’re tryin’ ter make us think they hev. Ye know they kem hyer arter our frien’ Sherman, Waal, they didn’t git himy Pars they are most problikely layin’ low out. t eer" w’en they kin drap Ruerman wi’ ten or er dozen lead ills.” bet’s it!” exclaimed both Stone and Cobb, in a breath, ‘¢ Naow,” continued the old bor ‘derman, speak- ing crisply and to the voint, ‘‘ef Sherman gits out o’ hyer erlive, he’s got ter do so mighty suddint-like, Them critters will expec’ us ter stay in till ther fire drives us out. Then there will be Bee ty o’ light ter see where ter putt their lead we slide now we'll probli ely catch ’em by surprise an’ may git erway.” ‘‘ We are reddy,” said Jabez Cobb, ‘‘ All right. Sherman is ter go fu’st. Thet. may seem like shovin’ ‘im out fur er target, but it’s jist ther , thing terdo. Ther fire is at ther back eend o’ ther cabing, an’as it has not ot above ther ruff yet, ther ole hulk gives er ys g shadder, Keep ter ther shadder, boyee, an’ scoot fer yer life. You bein’ ther fu’st one ter go, an’ thet afore any o’ us is ’spected tex leave, ther critters will be tooken by s’prise an’ ye may reach kiver afore they kin salt ye.” They all saw that the old borderman’s 8 plan was the best, and Sherman signaled his willing- ness to go. ‘Eben Stone thrust a revolver into the young man’s right hand, and Old Disaster removed the wooden bar, preparatory to open- ing the door. & Reddy!” he whispered, hoarsely. ‘‘ Sher- man fu’st, Stone next, then Cobb, an’ this lit- tle ole piece o’ modern disaster will bring up ther rear.” There was an instant’s silence, then the old ran ger sibilated: ** Now |” The next second he hurled open the Abok. and like a flash Sherman shot out into the night, running for his life! Straight along the shadow cast by the cabin sped the young fellow, expec ting every second to hear me = k of rifles. an feel t the life- destroying lea But ee ing of the kind occurred. The fugitive reached the dense darcuess and crouched panting and breathless in the gloom, He was amazed at the failure of his foes to Q : s ; Fs ‘ - y 7 '. \ 4’ . ‘ » + . ; i ‘a } . . . ‘ — - * 4 re) , - . i i mah. » > pi tan ly ihe! $ . a ’ ’ ° yay, - 7 “, 4 ra! bie ok. 7) ¥ | 1a , 4 b oO ‘4, bes ue eae ec Lie B idbiee cites a saure FCT oa Ol hate eae Eile RMR PES er IR Ll ut: lie re yn Se : oped << nothing, but gazed at the floor — Ther silence o’them measly’ n ther dark waitin’ fur us ter cum out,