Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 92 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

LO Canada Chet. ‘The spirit of the dead cando youno harm, It is the living that are your foes, and they are all around ou.” “Then, Sire meeh ter say ye ain’t livin’? Amasa gasped, his feeling light enough to fly from his “Only in spirit exists the Demon of the Forest!” was the comforting assurance. “I am but a living spirit—I am but the air you breathe. The shape you behold is but your over-wrought imagination. Touch > and you will find that l am composed of—noth- ng, oe) ** Oh! Jerusalem! no; I wouldn't touch you for ten dollars. Oh! Lordy, go away—go—away!” You must come with me, and as soon as I get you out of the reach of the Indians, I will bid you adieu.”’ **Fer honest, neow?”’ * Certainly. Come!”’ ‘Waal, hang me ef I won't.” The Walking Head with a low laugh led the way— waddling off into the forest. Amasa followed, but at a respectful distance, for re Os held the Demon of the Forest in mortal "ead, Through the blackness of the night, they went, the Walking Head in advance. But, suddenly, Amasa gazed around him in _per- plexity. The Dwarf Demon had suddenly disap- peared! Nowhere was he to be seen, and Scroggs was again lost in the at woods. ‘*Oh! Jewhittaker! I wish I was back with Sally —I do, fer true. I never will git out of this consarn- ed pogion, I— Hello!” While he was complaining he had suddenly struck what appeared to be a well-beaten trail, leading at ps ok angles to the course he was pursuing, or in other words, north and south, As puss ta pursue pained oer one any ew ‘asping rifle ay and gliding along. ‘* Hope don’t stumble on tha Walking Head again!” He had not proceeded twenty rods, ere a bi painted savage suddenly bounced before him, wit upraised tomahawk. t was desperation, now, more than courage which nerved the stalwart son of Michigan, an caused him to sling his rifle suddenly around and knock the red-skin quickly to the ground. It was all done in an instant, and then he kept on, looking on every side for more of the painted imps; but no more bothered him, nor did he catch a glimpse of another. About daydawn he came suddenly to a halt, on the margin of a small clearing, for looming up, therein, was a commodious cabin, built of half. hewn logs, and painted red! CHAPTER XI. ESCAPING—FROM TREE TO TREE—THE NEW FOR. We must now return to “the Pen,” andits sur- roundings, Early in the morning after their arrival, at night just as they were about going to sleep, Hal an ave were disturbed by strange noises, which they could not account for—noises that sounded like human screams of agony, in the distance. But these sounds soon were heard no more, and both being really sl fala needed no urging to seek forgetfulness and rest. ey slept soundly and awoke after a long while, feeling refreshed. Alex Watchman, Harry Rey- nolds, and several others were up and about, already, while some still lingered in bed. During the interval of their slumber the tables had been replenished with milk and corn-cake, familiar- known as “ Johnny-cake.”” **What time is it?’ Hal Dayton asked, sitting up, and giving his eyes an initiatory rub toward seeing. ** Nearly six o’clock at night,’’ the old man replied. ‘*You’d better put down some provender, now, as there’s notelling when Le Garo may come for us.” “Where's a fellow’s clothing?’ grunted Dave Laam, “ Ain't he Sarl to have nothing to wear?”’ The old man laughed. “T reckon not, young man, unless, perchance, you are more favored than the rest of us. I have not worn a shred of clothing except a loin-cloth in the whole time of my incarceration here.” ** What is the object of this?” ‘You have asked me more than I can tell.”’ Dave and Hal partook of their corn-bread and milk with relish, and were then ready for work. Some of the slaves arose grumblingly, others cheerful. ‘Did you see anyt as you came through the woods, af a young mation on horseback?” Harry Reynolds asked, in a low tone, of the two adventur- ers. “Tf you mean the pretty one calling herself Hazel Eye, we did. Why, what of her?” “ Well—well, you see—” and here the prisoner stopped short and blushed, ‘Yes, [think I can see!’ Dave answered, with a smile, ‘You're in love with the forest beauty, head- over-heels!”’ arkishitisayen Do yon think me to Bama tor spar seyes. ‘ Do you think me e for it? Isshe not a queer and pretty plant to be found growing in the somber shades of the wild North?” You are not a bit to blame—that is, if she recipro- : cates,’ replied Hal, “I almost fancy I could up under such a delightful responsibility myself.” ‘** She no doubt believes me either dead or faithless by this time, as it was before I was shut up here that I met her in the woods, and we formed an attach- ment for each other.’’ ‘What brought you into this particular section?” “The npg a of trapping the beaver, which are said to exist in large numbers hereabouts.”’ By this time Le Garo appeared upon the scene, armed with his terrible whip, and looking more bru- tal and savage than before. The slaves, Dave and Hal included, filed out in single file into the counterfeiting room, while the others, who had just quit work, filed into the sleeping - room, That was a dreary night tour for Dave and Hal. Neither had ever been used to hard labor before, and it was no play to run the two heavy machines for twelve hours, But they worked steadily and faithfully, and were fortunate in not experiencing the sting of Le Garo’s lash with which he occasionally cut the lagging or tricky. Our two adventurers, however, learned the science of counterfeiting, and profited thereby. The coins were manufactured of lead, zinc, copper and silver, the cost of a dollar, after it was finished, being about twenty cents, so that the profits of the ** queer ’’ was about 80 per cent. e cost of the manufacture of the pa r money was, Of course, far less, as the whole en of the work was engraved upon steel, even to the signa- ture. The paper and ink, therefore, were the only expense, as the labor cost nothing. ; More care had to be exercised in the printing of the bills, however, than in the coins, to bring the proof to a high state of perfection. Many hundred could have been run through the machine in one day, but they would have been too imperfect to put upon the market, ost of the hands were engaged in working upon the metal, as it required but Hal, Alex. Watchman, and a paper-sizer to manipulate the steel-plate: printing. The hours would never hurry. Hal and Dave were both fatigued greatly, and hungry, in the bargain. But there was no hope of relaxation from their la- bors, until the enregen| dawned again. It came, at last, and they were Bepleced by the fresh gang, and marched back to the eat and at ye pecan where they were locked in ea band of convicts. “I'm getting confounded tired of this,’’ Big-foot Dave growled, when he, Hal, Harry Reynolds, and Alex. Watchman were again seated at the repast of corn-cake and milk. ‘“‘I’m going to make an at- tempt at escape. If the rest will go in with me, I’ve every confidence that we can break away and reach the woods without trouble. What do you say, friend Watchman?” The old man shook his head. ‘Tis vain to hope for such a blessing,’’ he replied, sadly. ‘‘Why, young man, have not a hundred at- tempts been made, and all failed?’’ ‘‘ Hang the odds!” Big Track replied. ‘I’ve made up my mind not to do another day’s work in this counterfeiter’s den, and I'll be hanged if I will! If any man in this room has enough desire to escape, that he will assist me, let him step forward. Those who fear the consequences of @ failure, can keep still.” The slaves came forward to a man. No desire had they to remain in the pen, if there was a shadow of a chance for escape. Dave sounded them all carefully, to see that there were no weak ones. *T'll tell you how I’m going to manage it,’’ he said, glancing up toward the roof of the solid struc- ture. ‘Those windows there are grated, but they won’t be so very jong, if there is enough of you to boost me up and hold me there.”’ There were enough, and he prepared at once for his venture for their liberty. Taking two of the ca e knives which were brought in with their meals, he carefully hacked nicks into their edg.s, thereby making tolerable saws ou. of them. He then mounted upon one of th> tables, nd was lifted up by several pairs of ready hands, and held there. He now discovered that the act of removing the iron bars was easier than he had at first supposed as they were only fasteued to the wood with screws. These e soon had out, and the bars were removed; after which to displace the glass window was but the work f a moment, and a stream of the fresh air of the outer world rushed in, By placing the table upon which he stood on top of another table, and rai both to :ether, his com- anions were enabled to raise him so that he could ook out of the bole upon the rcof. All he could see w s the tops of the trees, anda sparkle of water upon the lake. The sun was shin- ing brightly, and the birds were caroling their early morning songs among the wilderness of variegated foliage, that spread out beautifully before the naked eye, ; Wrotti afar off in the forest cane wild, discordant sounds, which boded no good to the town of Quinne- bog. They were Indian war-cries. Springing upward, and drawing himself outside upon the roof, Dave m looked aronnd him for some means with which to rescue his companions. Fortune seemed to favor him in directing his att ntion to a matting of wild gra e-vines wh ch had twisted into a natural rope up over the roof, from the ground, and into the trees above, Creeping down to the edge of the roof, he severed these vines, and dragged the loosened end back to es hole and dropped it through into the room ow. He then held. fast to te upper portion, until one by one every man had ascended to the roof, where they stood, in the blast that swept across from the lake. “The next question is, what shall we do?” said Hal, gazing about, and listening, with the others, to the sounds, which came from off in the forest, ‘““Can’t we somehow get possession of our clothing and weapons?” “No! that is impossible,’ Alex Watchman said, promptly. ‘“We ought to fervently thank God that we have been permitted, through the heroism of our brave comrade here, to escape from the living tomb at all, To be sure it isn’t a very desirable plight to be in, this being ungarbed, but itis a blessing compared to that imprisonment. If wecan but get away from the vicinity of the Pen, unobserved, I know of the cabin of an old scout, in the forest, were we can find skins to cover our nakedness. But we run a great risk of discovery by descending to the ground. Be- sides the forest is full of Sioux, judging from the yells we hear,”’ ‘‘I do not intend to descend to the ground,” Big Track Dave said, decidedly. ‘‘ You observe how matted together are the branches of the nearest trees? We must make our escape from tree to tree, which I think we can do, if we work carefully. Once well away from ‘the Pen’ we can descend to the ground and make off with our best speed.’ ‘Is there no hope for rescuing the others who are in the Pen?’ asked Harry Reynolds pace ** Not at present,’’ Watchman replied, * We must look after No. 1 first; then remember No. 2.” Dave Laam’s plan being accepted they according- ly proceeded to put it into execution. ig Track led off, followed in turn = Hal, Harry, Watchman and the others. The branches of a large tree swept the cabin on the western side, and they crept carefully into this, one by one, and then on over intersecting branches from tree to tree. Considerable noise was made, cautious as the were, but fortune favored them inasmuch as their departure had been wholly unnoticed, i nwhile, the yells of the Indians came nearer and moray “The durned red cusses must be ¢ some- body,” Dave declared, as, with his com ons, he paused to listen. ‘I guess it won't be thy for us to descend to terra firma, yet awhile. t's your opinion, friend Watchman?”’ ‘* You are undoubtedly right,’’ the old man said. ‘Tt is safer to re under cover at present.”’ After occasional advances and halts they found themselves among the branches of a gigantic oak, where they were quite secure. While a nds were talking over the situation, Hal Dayton and Reynolds ascended into the extreme top of the tree, to make observations, ; A strong east wind had sprung up, and what they saw was not in the least encouraging. The horizon was hidden by a dense smoke-cloud, and great volumes of smoke and burning leaves were streaming up out of the forest, in nearly all points of the com The woods cortaint were on fire. The savages, evidently had kindled the fires to roast out the vil- lage and consummate their fiendish work. ‘We shall have to dust out of this, mighty lively if we don’t want our bacon roasted,”’ Hal said, and the two boys slid down hastily to where the others were perched, and apprised them of their dis- OTP é . ‘‘There is no use of sticking to the trees any longer,’’ Dave said, gloomily. ‘‘ We’ve got to get down to ter7a firma, and peg out as fast as our legs can carry us. How far are we from the cabin you mentioned, Watchman?”’ ‘* About three miles, I think. It must lie some- where to the north-west of us, I should say,”’ They hastily descended from the tree, and set off ata swift trot, Watchman and Dave in advance. The leaves and stubs hurt their feet, and the briers and bushes tore their flesh, but they kept bravely on, knowing that they were now fleeing from an enemy even more remorseless and merciless than the savage prowler of the forest. Suddenly they burst out into an opening where a fire was burning, and before they could retreat, a iia triumphant war-whoop burst upon their hear- 8: ee eS CHAPTER XII, A CUT AND RUN DASH—GOING TO ROOST. Tue words of Wild Bird struck upon the ears of her auditors with a despairing jar—all except upon Old Anaconda. The old man set his. teeth with a fierce click, and he hastily lifted Milly and Rachel Connors into the saddle. ‘Nothing must stop us now!’ he rig re husky tone. ‘Mount, Wild Bird, and when I throw the qatar open, ride out upon the prairie, and head to enorth, I will be with you, erelong. Sitting Bull is yet some distance away, I ‘But his cries will arouse the braves in the vil- lage!” Wild Bird said, trembling. ‘So much the worse for us,’’ Anaconda replied. ‘* Now then, git . Wild Bird vaulted lightly to the back of her horse, and sack the connecting straps which guided the other a . + y!’’ she said; then Old Anaconda threw open the gates and leaped like a rocket into the saddle allotted to him. ** Now!” he gritted, ‘‘ let °em scoot!” He kept the bridle-strap of the horse rode by Milly Owen, while Wild Bird did the same for her charge. And away they dashed at a tremendous Ss over the dun nairin tothe south-west. At the moment of eaving the village the dusk had been dense, which was favorable to their escape. But such good fortune was not to be theirs, and in the next few minutes a bank of clouds soon floated away from the path of the moon, and a flood of m6 ow Rent suffused all the landscape in a sheen of silver glory. An fot OE shout came from the south, and Anaconda glanced about to see a band numbering Eomicbooks.com