Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 92 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

——— some thirty Indians, coming after them, in hot pur- suit. “Tt is ages Bull and his warriors, too!’’ Wild Bird said. “They are picked braves, and well mounted,” ‘‘ onsekently, our only crop is ter git up an’ git!” the Destroyer replied, urging on the animals to a livel gallop. “If we ken but get inter ther woods, old Sittin’ ull can kiss my big toe. Spur up yer hoss, Wild Bird—whoopee! I tell you we don't ask no odds o’ ther hull Sioux nation.”’ It was by this exhibition of hilarity that the scout endeavored to distract the girls’ thoughts from the danger that menaced them, for he was well aware that danger did spur at their heels—danger, which, ten to one, they could not eventually escape. But they made a desperate struggle for it. Wild Bird had not belied the powers of her horses; os were easy riders, and as swift as any on the prai- ries. When urged down to their bottom speed, they could go like to a lightning-express. By the course opted by the Dwarf Destroyer, it was a good three miles to the edge of the timber. But he chose this route in Ste pt to all others for the reason that the prairie was nearly level, and then it was the nearest direct line to his cabin. On—on, over the yielding turf, sped the pursued and pursuers, It was a race for life on -the part of the fugitives, and a race for scalps on the of the foe, To add to the strength of the latter, the moonlight revealed that the whole male population of the Indian village was turning out upon horse- back, and joining in the chase. ‘*Durn myself for an uneducated mule!”’ Anacon- da growled, when he made this discovery. “ Ef I hedn’t orter be kicked frum San Francisco ter New York, I don’t want a cent! A reg’lar cussed old numb-skull am I—a ginnywine no-brained sucker! ‘** What is it that makes the White Destroyer re- proach himself?’ Wild Bird asked, anxiously. ‘‘Oh! nuthin’ much, only, why didn’t I stampede them hosses in ther Injun e, stid o’ leavin’ ’em fer them red ripscallions to ride? Oh, fire away, ye red sons of carmine! but ye ken’t dous any harm él. ‘The Sioux are very se the Indian 1 said. “Tf they should catch Wild Bird, they would put her to death. But she would laugh!” “Thet’s it, leetle gal! Don’t let them varmints skeer ye fer a cent—not one red identical cent! You’re my meat, I reckon, an’ when them Sioux sons o’ guns git their paws on ye, it'll be when Old Anaconda hes passed in his checks and ballanced his books, you bet! Well, are you tired, Miss Owen?” ‘* Not very,”’ the trapper’s daughter replied. ‘* Do you think there is great danger of their overtaking us?”’ ‘*Waal, neow, I shouldn’t keer to express a can- did opynun on thet sub ect, bein’s one ken’t tell one minnit whar he'll be ther next,’’ the dwarf replied, evasively. ‘*Our only hope’s ter UE ae on an’ get ter timber. Once we get thar, I'll opine ther old en knows a few things , Once in a great while.”’ On—on—on they dashed, the yells of the pursuing Indians making the night hideous. They also kept up a continual fire with their repeating rifles, which, oF course, did no harm to the fugitives, as they were a safe distance beyond the reach of the leaden mes- sengers. “Oh, plug away, blast ye!’ the old scout gritted. “T'll bet ef ye claw my sculp this yere moon, et will be sumthin’ ruther sing’lar. But, thar’s no use mis- takin’—them Injuns ar’ crawlin’ up on us, inch by inch !’ ; , The jetty eyes of Wild Bird fired up instantly, as she heard the words. “The words of the Great Destroyer are not well spoken!’’ she cried proudly. ‘Sitting Bull has no horse in his corral that can keep pace with those of the Wild Bird. To show the hunter that Wild Bird knows, she will lead and they can follow. And, as she ceased yer ines she uttered a wild, strange cry that echoed and re-echoed over the prai- rie; that was ve oh up in the distant aisles of the forest, and "e ng ina bird-like call, un- til it finally died out altogether. 3 The animals ridden by the fugitives seemed_ to d tremble for a single moment; then Wild Bind’s horée shot away like an arrow, to be followed ] by the others. : eee ley of as page gp a baffled yell of Aap — rs) from the pursuin -skins; an answer, If on leas? Gaetan’ laugh, burst from the lips of Wild “ Jumpin’ John Rogers!’ Old Anaconda ejaculated, as he was borne along. ‘These yere ave beauties, these anamiles! S’pose ye wouldn't sell one of ‘em fer a million, Wild Bird? ' ‘All that is Wild Bird’s belongs to the great White Destroyer, as soon as he takes her for his bride. ‘*Phew! that’s so, ain't it?” Anaconda muttered scratching his head. “I’d e’ena’most forgot all ane bs 7 SO MS moll ust not forget now,’’ Wild Bird said, in a signi- ficant tone. “ Dwarf Destroyer must not forget his prone itr not think to deceive the Indian girl. he trusts him; if he gets treacherous like the snake his name resembles, then Wild Bird will die.” ‘Oh, ye needn't git at all skittish, my beauty, fer I'll hitch myself in double harness with you, ef I don’t lose my ha’r an’ kin find a parson, I’m yours tichter’n bark, until death do us as his assurance seemed to set Wild Bird’s doubts at rest, and a light of love once more shone out from her eyes. ; : And so the wild ride continued. Now that a new speed had been brought out of the fugitives’ animals, it was an easy job to keep out of Canada Chet. rifle-shot of the pursuers, and at last when they struck into the edge of the forest, the savages were a quarter of a mile or more away. Now, then, we'll puzzle ’em!’’ Old Anaconda said with a chuckle, as he took the lead. ‘ Foller behinc me close, now, in single file, an’ we'll see ef we can’t git them off ther track, gest much !”’ He accordingly struck off, with Milly Owens and Rachel Connors following respectively behind him, and Wild Bird bringing up the rear. It was a long monotonous ride, with only the foot- falls of the horses, and the occasional scream of a night bird to break the dead of nature’s repose. he woods were full of lurking shadows, that served to keep the two white girls in a constant state of terror, lest they should suddenly dissolve into a band of murderous savages. Wild Bird was not alarmed, for she was literally a child of the forest; and Old Anaconda was equally at home there. At last morning dawned, and the birds renewed their sweet songs among the branches of the forest monarchs. ! : Then it was that the Dwarf Destroyer ordered a halt. Wild Bird and the two white girls noticed a strange expression upon the scout’s face, which was not usually there. ‘* What is it?” the Wild Bird demanded, anxiously. ‘Why does the Destroyer look around so?”’ ‘*Dunno, Birdie, jest now; but Lreckon we'd bet- ter camp down hayr a trifle, w’ile I make a sorter re- So pe Sumhow my old bones predict In- uns!’ ‘*Great Heaven! I hope your bones may belie you!” Rachel Connors said, inalarm. ‘Do youthink he savages are in the neighborhood?” **Can tell ye better after a bit,’’ the Dwarf Scout said, sliding from the saddle. ‘‘ You remain here and do not dismount under any consideration, until I return, unless you hear the yell of a Comanche, then turn sharp to your right, and ride for your life.” With these injunctions, he unslu g his rifle, and stole cautiously ee into the wood, leaving his horse in charge of W.ld Bird. He proceeded in a straight line due east from where he had left the females; then stopped stock- stillin his tracks. He had no occasion to go further, The news for which he sought was within eye reach. Ahead of him he could see the forms of several Indians, skulking about among (he trees, as if search- ing for somebody. They did not see him however, and he crept back in the direction whence he had come; then proceed- ed to make a great circle about the spot where he had left the girls. As a result, he found Indians skulking among the trees, forming a circle around the spot of forest containing Old Auaconda and his trio of charges. This was the very state of affairs the old man had expected, and he was none disappointed by the discovery. He knew that it meant busine s; that only fighting them with stealth would do any good, Then, he returned to where he had left the girls. They were in a state of great anxiety. “*Indians!"’ he said, in answer to their ‘nquiring looks. ‘‘ We are literally surrounded on all sides.”’ ‘**Oh! what shall we do?” Milly Owen murmured, tears springing into her eyes. ‘‘ We shall all be massacred |” Poor girl! she had witnessed the horrible butchery of her own parents but a few hours before, and the scene now arose before her eyes in all its sickening details. ‘*No, we ain’t goin’ ter git massakerd—nuthin o’ ther sort, ef ther old court ar’ on duty. I'll allow et ain’t no mite of a deefikilty, but we’ve got ter beat ther cusses, somehow.”’ : Did the Destroyer see Sitting Bull?’ Wild Bird asked. ‘** No! ther durned old skeeslyx kept out 0’ my sight, or I shed hev put a bullet thru kernoodleum, Just keep still now, while I think.” And standing with his face to the east, the scout ruminated over the situation. “Thar’s only one pees an’ we’ve got ter grab it like a fish grabs bait!’’ he said, at last. ‘‘Do you phiak you could send the horses away riderless, Wild r ’ “The animals of Wild Bird are trained to do her bidding,” the beautiful Indian girl replied, proudly. co" Our hope may then be a hope. Come! foller me!” And vaulting into his saddle the scout rode on through the woods. The three girls followed, won- a but asked no questions. By directions they lingered behind, allowing him to get some distance ahead. Suddenly he arose in his stirrups, and clenched his hands to the limbs of a giant linden tree be- neath which he was passing, The next instant he ad drawn himself up. and his horse passed on. He then motioned the three girls to ride beneath the tree, and reach up their arms to him. this manner he succeeded in pulling them all up into the great tree. Now, send the animals awa , he said, when he had landed them all safely. ‘They must not remain in the neighborhood to betray us.” Wild Bird bowed, and spoke quickly and excitedly to the animals, in the Indian tongue. They pricked up their ears at the sound of her voice; then the pony she had ridden gave a wild snort, and dashed on through the forest, followed by the others. Then the dusky beauty turned to Old Anaconda, a rkle of triumph in her midnight eyes. ‘Could the lover of Wild Bird do so much?” she demanded, eagerly. ‘Waal, now, Ished rather opine not,”’ the dwarf replied, smiling. ‘‘ But, whar’ll them ar’ anamiles go to, anyhow?” 11 ‘To the silent stream that runs through the for- est,’’ Wild Bird replied. ‘‘They will wait there for me to wae them. They have done 80, many times, when Wild Bird hunted the deer afoot.” ‘Waal, ye’ve got good control over ’em, I'll sw’ar. f ye make yer futer husband toe the scratch like thet, I allow als hev a any ore job on yer hands,’’ and his laugh was music to her ears. “Wild Bird will be White Destroyer’s slave. She work for him—mind him,’ was the artless reply of the beautiful Indian. They had remained in the tree but a couple of hours, when the scout again manifested uneasiness. CHAPTER XIII. BREAKING THE CORDON—SITTING BULL IN TOILS—A RENE- GADE’S SURPRISE, Wiip Brrp was the first to notice it, and she touched him upon the arm. ‘** What is it that again disturbs the White Destroy- er!’ she asked, anxiodsly,for now loving the honest scout with all the strength of her passionate Indian nature, she naturally was much concerned to see him uneasy. ** Nuthiu much, yet,’’ he on ** by-an’-by things may assume a more sartin shape.”’ An hour passed, but there was no change, The woodland was just as solemn and silent as before; the birds chattered among the branches; the leaves dropped, dropped, dropped, at the touch of the breeze as it fanned through the forest. Toward noon it stiffened up, and blew with greater foree, causing the autumn foliage to descend in showers. Old Anaconda broke the deep silence now by a Suggestive grunt, and sniffed the air like a fox- 10und, ‘Ther devil’s ter pay,’’ he growled; “ther woods ar’ afire, an’ we've got ter cavort out o’ this roost or git scorched; you hear ther old man talk!” “Have Sitting Bull’s braves done this cowardly work?’ Wild Bird asked, her eyes flashing. “Yas, I opine they hev, altho’ et mayn’t be ther same gang as ar’ surroundin’ us. Least how, thet fire ain't more’n a mile off, an’ as it runs at the rate 0’ fifty miles a minnit, through these dry leaves, ther sooner we make a grand scoot, ther better; you hear me!”’ To think with the Dwarf Destroyer, was to work. Taking off his belt, he lowered the girls to the ground by 9 Soe it; then dropped lightly upon the leaves iumself. ‘*Come!”’ he said, resolutely; “foller me, but don’t ye dare ter make so much noise as a baby mouse. Ef strategy won't rescue us, knives and revolvers will, I reckon,” Softly they advanced thpowg the forest, toward the west, Old Anaconda keeping a short distance ahead of the girls, to feel the way, while Wild Bird took the possession of a post as rear-guard. Thus they moved ‘ent Danger lurked in their rear—danger lurked in front, in the shape of merciless red-men, whose only baghe of pleasure was in braining or scalping the pale-faces. The wind blew through the forest dense clouds of smoke and particles of burnt leaves, and warned the fugitives that the flames were not far bebind. Presently a wave of Old Anaconda’s hand caused the girls to pause, while he skulked on, knife in hand; for the shining blade. of steel was the only weapon to use now, as reports of firearms would only serve to attract the attention of the foe. Like some grim phantom the little old scout glided along, no sound of his disturbing the silence. Every footstep was noiseless, his breath, even, was hushed 08: rawn, In this way he crept on for perhaps an eighth of a mile, when he once more came to a halt, and step- ped ye ay behind a tree, Just in time to escape observation, too, for an In- dian came prowling along, glancing about him in a manner indicative that his suspicions had been aroused, : ohe eyes of he Ser ees emit wire oy rv saw the unsuspecting brave approach, an his knife for its deadl work. “we Nearer and nearer the red-skin came, in an mgpu- tious shuffling gait, until he had fairly ed the tree where the dwarf scout was conceal Then a human body suddenly shot into the air and descend- ed upon the back of the red-skin, and a keen, flash- ing blade did its deadly work. In a moment, Old Anaconda tore off the scalp. ‘‘ Wonder ef thar’s any more as wants ter get registered fer election?’ he muttered, peering around, “If so thar be, hayr’s w'at kin accommy- date ’em at ther rate o’ two a minit. Resolved to know for certain if any more of the red devile blockaded the forest between him and liberty, he made a wider and deeper detour, but failed to find a foe. Satisfied on this score, he made his way back to where he had left the girls, and found them much alarmed at his protracted ab- sence, ‘You have killed an Indian,’’ Milly Owen said, with a horrified glance at his belt. “Yas; killed ther last of ther Mohicans, you bet! But look! yonder’s a jet of flame! the fire is upon us! Come! we must put for our lives!” And - was even ie th As they started to leave the spot, lon es of fire followed spitefully in their te and dense clouds of choking smoke settled around them. Sitting Bull was in the vicinity of Quinnebog with a part of his band, having detailed a number of his braves to worry and pursue the Dwarf Destroyer and his companions. The great forest fire had swept far to the west GOmIcbooks.co