Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 901 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

er which had spanned the rotten trunk of a L »e Bet) eG APs _ ' * ; : rt : . “Se ' f -” wd, Lowi i SA 7a * ot : ep; a rile a r) 2 vy Y afig et : *? o> 7 ¥ J > a huge tree, the upper side of which had long ago been blazed off to afford surer footing for man or beast. As he landed the tree dropped away from under him, not to fall altogether, but to hang in a way:horribly suggestive of danger! Over his head’ pitched Sandy, the reins still in his grasp, to land on his feet, all crouched up. The horse gave a struggle, und one hind foot was planted on the verge of the rock, by the side of the two front hoofs. Sandy gave a tug, and the other followed. Before Diamond Dave had swung himself out of the saddle the horse was safely land- ed, and stood trembling a yard away from the abyss. : ‘‘Looks as though this. young scallywag had brought us into a nice trap,” said Dave, as he looked keenly around. ‘‘We can't get back, that is pretty cer- tain; and I’m not so sure we can go ahead, on foot, at least. The outlaws knew what ' they were about when they abandoned this trail.” ‘‘Git a move on yez!” exclaimed Patsey, unmoved by the late danger. ‘We can Vave the horses here an’ crape down the rocks, Av we're ahead av the spalpeens we can get the chance av the sayson to slaughter them to our heart’s contint,” ‘¢ And if we don’t get ahead of them?” ‘‘Then,” continued Patsey, speaking with a grin, ‘‘ we'll have the ch’ice to stay here an’ stharve, or go out there an’ be shot; an’ wan av the two will be illegant sure to hap- den, ‘Pears they be coming now.” CHAPTER IX. THE PRISONERS OF CAPTAIN CURSE. VERA VANE did not recover consciousness tor some time after she had been stolen from the Pullman ‘The little cry she had succeeded in giving had caused her to receive an extra dose of chloroform. Fortunately, she was young and healthy, and no evil results ensued. When she came _ to herself, she had a slight headache and felt a nervous trembling,which was not caus- ed altogether by excitement and suspense. She knew nothing of the capture of the man who had promptly followed on the trail of the bandits, nor of the note sent by him to her mother. A masterly silence was observ- ed, andthe men rode sullenly. The one who held her in his arms did indeed seem to try to touch herlightly, but she was too indig- “nant just then to notice that symptom of re- spect. Everything was uncertain, and very terrible. When they had got well away from the vicinity of the station there was a halt, ‘Vera had come to her senses, and that fact had been observed. ‘Can you ride a horse?” was the question asked her in a matter-of-fact way; which was followed by: ‘Do you want to, or would ‘you sooner be held on?” when she had an- swered in the affirmative . She decidedly preferred to ride by herself, though the chances of making her escape were ‘not thereby increased. When they started again sbe was unable to slide from the back ‘of the easy-going mount which had been given her, nor was she able to turn it aside and test the fleetness of its heels, There was nothing to do but to accept the situation and travel on in the way fate had marked out for her. Toward morning, nosymptoms of pursuit having been observed, there was a_ brief It, when she obtained a little rest, a slight -repast, and a drink from the spring where the party haddrawn up... .* Shortly after starting again they were seen by Belle Malloy, though, of that, of course, Vera was ignorant, She was taking but lit- tle note of things at a distance, and only Renew they were drifting through an inclin- PADS it 8 ‘ eb a pe , ya 4 * ADS) ayo rm Ws ¢ ~ gre Pe AT —— r - ~,* v 4 _’ z= MM 5 hi a 4 : « 7h. ‘ { a? b ‘ - . : ¢ 7 ing pass which seemed to lead on into th® heart of the :nountains, By this time she had found out which was the leader of the outfit, and noted that he was a young man, if his figure and bearing went for anything, though the mask over his face effectually hid his countenance. So far, he held his men well in hand, and had treated her with all the respect the situa- tion admitted of. After a time he made a motion of the hand, and said a few words to one of the men, whotossed his reins to 2 companion, threw himself from his horse, and glided off, mak- ing his way swiftly and silently, What followed has already been explained. Belle Malloy was captured by the scout, and almost at the same time Captain Curse made his appearance, and. Isabe® saw the futility of resistance. She did not evince any alarm, however. Her eyes searched through the eyelets of Captain Curse’s mask until she caught his gaze, and then she spoke with a smile: ‘There is no use of trying to make a mys- tery. I am the daughter of John Malloy, who can bring forty men on your trail in half an hour; and they will come without any nonsense when they once start. If you are wise you will treat me with respect. It may go easier with you when father be- gins the process of evening up. “With the very greatest respect, my child,” answered the outlaw, lifting his som- brero with a graceful flourish, and bowing with it in his hand uutil it nearly swept the ground, ‘“We could have spared ourselves this visit without a murmur, but since you are here your stay shall be made profitable as well as agreeable, if it be In our power, Your father will be uncer no apprehension on account of your absence, since we will tuke means to apprise him of bag where- abouts, and I do not doubt but he will reccive you safely back again in a short time, highly pleased with your tour of ob- servation in the mountains,” ‘T suspect the pleasure will all be on the one side then,” was the crisp-answer, ‘‘If he is once forced to come out in search of me he will be in no good humor with the compan he finds me in, and it will be well for you if -you have a friend in court to plead your case. For the present I am in your hands; but I warn youto move with cure.”’ ‘*T shall; and see that you follow right behind me, Nononsense! I meanit.” — Brusque and stern was the warning, and Belle followed him without further words, The scout who had captured her was in the rear, and though she migh. have shot the captain down she knew well enough that be- fore she could do more the other outlaw would have disposed of her. Besides that, since she had gone: this far in the adventure, she was not alto- gether ready to drop it. If it was Vera Vane whom she had seen she intended to see her again. _ In regard to that she was not suspense, HS Le There was a tolerably practical path around the mass ofyheaped up bowlders, and before long she leaped lightly into the narrow track which served for a trail. ‘‘ And so, Vera, it is really you?” she said coolly, as she stepped to her side. i¥ rene ght it was, but I wanted to be sure. What in the world are you doing here?” Belle came like an apparition, and Vera could seareely believe the evidence of her own senses, | She stared first at Miss Malloy, and then at the outlaws. The latter seemed as much surprised as herself, ‘“* Don’t Belle. . ‘‘These gentlemen of the road are just about as much my friends as they are yours, get excited, my dear!” continued : we Ie " \ ; ; ’ ‘ey g . ‘7% + oh . »* ey ~ ™ =~ Lk v : . . ee >A 0 he ‘ ys wt ‘ i 2 3 & ‘ ) a * “ - Wee ‘ a - = : ’ M s ase a") ' °? os rt ’ e ; cS A a* AS Ae ‘ 4 °F, of, te ‘ a : ’ a ed 2 i 4 ‘ - a eS ee a eee ed ee ” ! ‘ at Pay A ‘ ar ss 7 ae lina © ‘ ye “Ves - bp mt rhe v * 7 ¥ bd : +) de {ee 3 " Vr ae oe ‘ a Ver long kept in Diamond Dick, the Gilt-Edge Shooter. » , ;" = DH . Me % + . : * P Lae Aa 4a Want ety : ‘ ieee Aalst Y ke a ty v, or . . tl I suspect they are after coin in both cases =» —and will be more apt to get hot iead. But, where in the world did you come from? and what do they mean, treating you like | this?” eat She had caught sight again of the vari- ous thongs which were acting as a restrain- ing force, and her indignation rose once more, | Vera doubted no longer, and however much the cause of the meeting was to be regretted, she did not hesitate to express her delight at the unexpected appearance of e 4 AP ‘ _—_ "hee > i * , _- s es * ~~ -?~ ¢ 4 . ps me -. =. = & a friend. A ‘‘My dear Belle! Ieam sure it isalla = mystery; but if it was to bring us together | it isa very charming one, If I could reach you I would kiss you on both cheeks. As] can't, consider it done. If an angel had dropped down from the clouds I would not have been half so much bewildered. _ ‘‘ Just save that bewilderment fora more convenient season, ‘There is no great mys- tery about it, after all. I live over there, and started off for a morning ride. Then, I saw you in the distance, and turned aside to explore—to ascertain what it meant—and fell among thieves. The gentlemen will al- _ low me to take off these ropes or I willknow the reason why.” 4 She turned angrily toward the captain, and actually was surprised at the low bow _ with which her vailed threat was received, Before Vera could fairly digest what was happening, she was unbound, and Belle was mounting her own horse, which had been discovered, and led forward. By this Captain Curse was ready with a suggestion: ‘‘ Sorry, ladies, that at present we have not time to allow you the customary greet- ings, but we must move on. I am glad, ‘however, to see you are old friends. Hither of you would bea prize worth the holding, -_ oe aaa 4 > = * sa =~ 7 . = ¥ * ro - 4 4 ag . - = con ¢. a= a = s —_, = , hg i a » ) 7 i, ‘4 i * : % ‘ s . oe A ae “a but together it will-be hard indeed if our — coffers are not twenty thousaud richer’ — through your visit. Of course, Miss Vane» will consider herself under parole for the — pe; present. Be careful, both of you, for the route is none too easy. Forward all!” Nd Away went the gang, and this timethey had two prisoners in their midst, thougha = casual spectator might not at once have. uessed the fact. ie ‘The girls chattered together without a seeming shadow on their minds, and were full of questions and answers, They had ~ gone to the same school but a few months — ago, and yet, it seemed as though ages had intervened since their last meeting. There _ was much of interest to explain, and besides _ that, when they talked they kept up their courage. They hadas much of thatasthe _ most, yet it was hardly to be expected a brace of girls would find themselves in such an unpleasant position, to say nothing of its positive dangers, without being troubled by certain fears, aNenive themasthey might. | It did not take long for Isabel to make her explanations; but Vera had aratherlonger story to tell, t a She had to explain the cause of her jour- ney, and how she and her mother were On their way to attend a law-suit which bid — fair to give them an interest in some prop- | 45) erty which had once belonged to her de- ceased father. 4 a So far, almost, the journey had been made without incident; then came the attack of © the train-robbers, which seemed to have. — been beaten off ay by one man, tho gh a couple of friends had done what they | could ih their unarmed condition. ae ‘* And that one man?” asked Belle, breath- ’ ‘ ] lessly, a glint of suspicion imther eye... athe (Did you hear his name ~ i ““ Notin full, my dear, but they called him ~ Diamond Dave, and for all the terrible repu- — tation they gave him he seemed the mildest — mannered, handsomest dear of a hero you could imagine.” x - * i a —* — ; . “yerve ¥ or u A ' ‘ - * 4 * = e..%" i ~ a aN \ eR Spe Any: rom Y bn Pa ¥ 900ks.com , ae aie, iL 14 cual 7 ba! * t P 7 im fe ; . az cb — as oa arene iy we ; s a m |