Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 92 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

/ ~~ a [raceme — a ~ - > -~ a ’ ee all my life since you dealt me that cowardly blow, I have been possessed of those strange spells of fear. Lately they have come upon me less frequently, and you beho me now not afraid of you, Casper Day- ton; ‘*Ha! ha! we shall see about that, my cr bro- ther! I shall yet have my revenge upon you. hat do you intend to do with me?” “Nothing. I shall free you, and tell you to EO, warning you to keep your distance from this cabin which is so constructed that death lurks within every timber. Go! I say, and may the spirit of afar God release you from your doom in the coming hell. Show him out, Hazel Eye.” Hazel Eye nodded, and motioned Casper Dayton toward the door with her revolver. He arose hastily to depart, glad at the opportu- nity to thus get off, but on the threshold he paused. “Too: but you shall see me again, mark my word. The blow I struck, years ago, shall be repeated, soon, ina stronger way. Ibid you adieu!” And, with a mocking laugh, he wheeled, and dis- appeared into the night. Hazel Eye arose and closed the door after him; then turned toward the Magician, ** Why did you let him go? He’s a bold, bad man, and he will not hesitate to do you injury.” ‘*T fear him not now, as I used to; I have shaken off the insanity that has been the cloud of my life and I am prepared to fight odds with science anc strategy. did not touch him, because he is my brother, and I would have no man’s blood upon my hands, But I have warned him to keep away from ay cain if he comes now, his blood be on own ead,” ** What would you do?” ‘Blow the cabin to atoms, I have every timber so charged with various explosives, that_I can ar- range it that when I leave the cabin and close the door, no one can thereafter open that door without blowing up the whole building. It is an infernal invention, but I have warned them; and those who would not die, must heed the warning.” | ** But tell me, am I the child of the widow whom you married years ago?”’ “The same. I am your step-father, instead of our grandfather, as you have always called me, I[ have ever regarded you as my own child, and loved you as such,’ “But if I am in no way related to you, it is not right for me to live mean your bounty.’ ‘Tut! tut! child; banish any such ideas, for you are as dear to me and as much my daughter, as though you were in reality a child of my own blood. But, now, this can no longer be your home, I have decided to quit this wilderness, if 1 can, and return to Brooksfield, my old home. But, ere I go, there is work for me to do in the forest; and, too, I would not be far away when this cabin blows up. There- fore, take sap necessary eres and your horse and go to the cabin of the Dwarf Destroyer, where will join you later. Be careful not to fall into the power of the red-men, with whom the forest swarms.’ ‘** You need not fear,’* Hazel Eye replied. **T have never yet been taken an Indian's captive, and I do not believe my luck has deserted me,” Ten minutes later, both the Magician and Hazel Eye had quitted the cabin. In the meantime, the red demons of Sitting Bull under the orders of Casper Dayton, had a en their strength in numbers in the forest, and descend- ed upon the ‘‘ Choppings,” a hundred or more strong, from nearly every point of the compass. They poured from the forest on the south, east and west, and landed from the lake in canoe-loads on ‘th. The “ehh rung like a demonium with their ells; the screams of terrifled women and children, the hoarse shouts and cnrses of men, and the reports of rifle-shots made a Babel of the settlement. The town was surrounded on every hand, and the red demons fought as if ——— of demoniac fury. None were spared, as been the directions of Casper Dayton. The re tomahawk and smok- ing repea rifles, with which many of the red fiends were armed, did the deadly work for each pale-face, regardless of age or sex, and the terrible scalping-knife flashed an gleamed in the ghastly Saat the firebrand reached the cabins, and the flames licked up with greed the homes of those who lay dead upon the crimsuned ground, or were still SeeSng desperately for their lives. t it was useless for them to contend against odds. Soon it was that the last survivor fell, and the last reeking scalp was ‘‘raised,’’ and nothing re- mained to tell of the existence of the great counter- — {own of the North-west, but a tow smokin ogs and glowing coals and the , which the red fiends of the forest were dancing and ye ; And about this time Casper Dayton stood upon the opposite shore of the lake, and gazed across upon the scene with a devilish delight. “They have done well,” he said, in a low tone; “but, furies! what doI see? Curses on the idiots! They have burned the Pen, with its dies and presses and stock! I wish now that I had not sent them, for I have burdened my soul with another crime with- out receiving a consideration for my awful sins.” CHAPTER Xv. THE CABIN FORTRESS—VENGEANCE SELF-WROUGAT. We must now return to Old Anaconda and the Is whom we left fleeing before the flame and smoke of the burning forest. nfs . ch was the case ny ran ri — e, for su . ngues driven by the wind and the flame current, chased OO ee ES — Canada Chet. them with the hissing perseverance of a snake; the smoke blinded and choked them, but still they kept on, struggling bravely. * Don't git discouraged,’’ the Dwarf Destroyer ad- vised. ‘We hain’t fer ter go afore we sight my cabin, Ireckon. Keep on a bit longer.” And, like heroines the brave females did keep on, despite the rough footing, and scratching and tear- ing of the bushes. _At last Old Anaconda uttered a cry of satisfac- tion, for they had arrived at the edge of the large clearing wherein stood his cabin, or ‘‘fort”’ as he often called it. It was a large structure of logs, with a single door, and windows up near the eaves. It was built in the most serviceable manner, and was a good retreat wherein to keep off the red-skins for loopholes covered the wall in nearly all Lape of the compass, so that se Neen from any side of the clearing was well rded., On the edge of the clearing Old Anaconda and his SUsrane paused, while he gazed sharply toward the cabin, ** What is it?” Wild Bird asked, nee the sud- den compression of his lips. ‘* Does the White De- stroyer scent danger again, near his cabin?”’ ‘* Waal, I ‘low there's ey one wrong, twixt ou an’me., Thar’s sumbody, hin or white ga- oot, gone an’ taken persession 0’ my domycile, yan- der, sure’s I’m a reflexion uv ther Darwin theory.”’ ** Who is it?” **Durn me ef I know, though T’ll allow they’re white, for no Injun ’d be werry likely ter start a smoke, not ef they war layin’ low, fer me,” ‘Then let_us hurry forward and get out of dan- ger,’’ Milly Owen said, eagerly. “Not yet, by along shot! I opine J’m a-goin’ ter know more afore I stick my pericranium inter a hornet’s nest. Fust uv all, ’m goin’ ter arn how thick ther Injuns be hayrabouts.’ And enjoining the girls to remain where they were, the scout moved away along the border of the clear- ing, to make his reconnoissance, n about ten minutes he returned, and glanced un- on toward the cabin. ‘We've got to git out o’ this,’ he said, ‘*‘ fer thar’s a hull pack o’ red hellions out hayr in the forest, a- sneakin’ up in our rear. We must make fer my leetie fort, yander, an’ ef we git a blizzard frum con- cealed enemies, [I opine et won’t be our fault. I'd ruther an Injun'’d skulp me, any time, than a white, but—come erlong!”’ — 4 Seizing each other’s hands,'the three girls followed swiftly after the old scout, across the clearing to- ward the cabin. The distance was not great, and they were soon within a few yards of the cabin, when Old Anaconda gave vent to an overjoyed whoop, as the cabin door swung open, and a crowd of men stood upon the threshold to welcome the fugitives. At the same time the savages burst from the for- est at a pane the fugitives had just quitted, with wild yells of baffled defeat. **Oh! yell, gol durn yer my pelts!” the Dwarf Destroyer howled, shak fist kat the mur- derous mob, in defiance. *‘ Ye ken’t ketch yer uncle, now, fer scrip! Cum erlong, ye long- lantern- awed, slabsided, knock-kneed sons uv tan-bark! an’ see us.”’ This kind invitation the savages had no idea of ac- cepting, for the present, evidently, for they paused upon the edge of the timber for a confab. In the meantime Old Anaconda and the girls reached and entered the cabin in safety, after which the door was closed and barred, and they could well bid defiance to their foes, for the time peng. Explanations ensued, and the union of the whites in that cabin, in the wilderness, was one of decided oy. The occupants of the cabin ahead of Old Anaconda and the amy weene — f ag from Pas eres ings amo em Dave arry and o ex Wa hman, On their arrival at the cabin, they had found it occupied by no less an individual than the redoubtable Amasa Scroggs of Kalamazoo. Out of the Dwarf's wardrobe, they had found enough genoa to cover their nakedness, so that they were comfortably installed by the time of the val of Old Anaconda and his trio, The Dwarf’s larder was never unstocked; conse- quently dinner was first in requisition. The getting-up of this was left to the culinary skill of Milly Owen, hel, and Wild Bird, while the men kept a vigilant watch from the loopholes on either side and end of the cabin. ** Them ripscallions ar’ up ter sum deviltry, ye kin bet yer boots!’’ the Destroyer muttered, watching the eastern forest keenly, ‘‘See! thar’s haydoogins of 'em thar in the edge o’ ther timber, a-skulkin’ about like as ef they war narvous, I opine they ar’ waitin’ fer night ter arrive.” «__Jnjuns!”’ said Amasa Rcroges, contemptuously ; who's afeard o' them? Why, ther ken’t be many o’ them left, I tell ye, fer I slaughtered off sumthin’ like ten thousan’ as I war cumin’ heer, by way of amusing myself. °*Tain’t much ter brag on ter kill an Injun,”’ ? ‘* Et depends sum’at ef a feller's a consarned cow- ard or not,” Anaconda said, “Ye ken’t ex- pect much 0’ a man whose narves flies out o’ his mouth when a bloody Injun sculp is lowered before his eyes. Ef he’s a brave man, show me a coward.” Amasa colored to the roots of his hair, and pre- tending not to notice the sarcasm, which elicited a broad smile from all hands, he turned to give some fatherly advice to Dave and Hal, of whom he had assumed the right of ian, now that he had found them. en nobody was near, however, he approached the Dwarf Destroyer, mysteriously. “See heer!” he said, in a whisper; “ you're a purty good sorter feller, an’ ef ye'll jest keep cluss-mouth- ed about thet leetle affair, I'll make et all right wi’ the Dwarf Destroyer said, with as 13 you. Ye see, I’ve kinder took a shine ter thet Rachel over thar, an’ I want ter make an impression ef I can.’ “All right! Sail in, and I'll not bother ye ag’in,”’ kle in his eyes. And Amasa did sail in evidently, for he did the agreeable and gallant, as well as he knew how, to Rachel Connors all the afternoon, although she gave him many a slight and hint that his company was not agreeable. The dinner prepared by the three girls was soon served, and proved liberal and satisfactory to the hungry ones in the wilderness. The afternoon passed away, but there was no hostile movement on the part of the savages on the edge of the forest. they were occasionally seen skulking about, just out of rifle range, but made no demonstration calculated to incite those in the cabin to more than ordinary watchfulness. Anaconda, however, was not to be thrown off his guard, He was ceaselessly watchful, and warned those within the cabin to be prepared for almos. any surprise. ‘*Oh! ye’ll heer ’em blow their bugles, afore long, hes bet yer boots!”’ he said, in response to Hal Day- on’s inquiry. ‘‘ They’re waitin’ fer darkness ter cum on, I allow, an’ expect reinforcements; then there'll be church musick in ther air keyed in Yan- kee Doodle meter.”’ ‘Ts Old Sitting Bull over there, now?” ** Nary, I opine. He's ther werry same high cock- olorum they re waitin’ fer. When he comes, you'll notis a renewed activity in the ranks. Thar'll be a ey wins red-skin convention, over thar,” The afternoon gave place to the oncoming night. The change of wind had swept the forest fire to the North, and the sun went down over a horizon that was smoky and dim, The deep shadows crept on apace, and gathered thickly over the woods and clearing, wherein stood the lone cabin, , ‘“Mebby we shall get a blizzard frum them ’ar copper-coats afore moon-up,”’ the Destroyer announ- ced; *‘so ye’d better all grapple a shutin’ arm, an’ hunt yerself a convenient loophole. Thar’s plenty of weapons, yonder in the chimbley closet!”’ All made haste’ to arm themselves except Rachel Connors. She knew nothing about fire-arms, she said, and would peddle the ammunition to those who stood on guard, The anticipated attack before moon-rise did not occur, but it did not make the occupants of the cabin feel any easier. They knew that it must come sooner or later, The moon rose above the forest of trees like a ball of fire coming out of a bloody bath, and shone down into the clearing brightly, revealing each object as clear as day, from the cabin, “Now look sharp. If you see any object in the grass, of a suspicious nature, let it have, kerslap!” Anaconda ordered. A second later the keen eyes of the Dwarf caught sight of a tuft in the tall grass that grew in the clear- ing, and uttered a grunt. It might or might not be the top-knot of a concealed aOY AgOron t out of every ten men would have passed it over without a thought of suspicion. Not so with old Anaconda. Experience had long since taught him, that a ve aon place of ambush could secrete a lurking red- enrdrsing tie rifle into a loophole, he took a quick, accurate and fired, Then he withdrew his rifle and peered out into the moonlight. The veteran Destroyer tad not missed his guess in the oa ee 9 ap ey ey ou was now lively enough, and an Indian death-yell pealed out shrilly upon the uiet of the night. ier > ** Jerusalem! Gosh-all-fish-hooks! how in thunder'd ye kno’ thet varmint war thar?’ Amasa Scroggs de- manded, in genuine astonishment, while the others expressed their surprise in sundry ejaculations. “The White Destroyer sees like the owl and the eet Wild Bird said, proud of her lover's wonder- aster He is a great chief among the pale- ‘‘Durned good shot; that’s a fac’,” Scroggs ad- mitted; ‘ but, then, thar’s teen greater ones. My old uncle, Saltpeter Scroggs, once tuk a an’ shot a woodpecker off on a meetin’-'us steeple, an’ put a bullet plumb through his eye. Then, he ag’in shot a muskeeter, so fur off, thet he bed ter take a field- lass ter tell whar he waz. Sce’d thet myself, by er all-fired jingoes!”’ ‘Phew! Mebbe I don’t cee a lock of hair, too!” Hal Dayton said, peering out into the clearing, “Just watch me while I an Injun!” All did look, and listened to the report of his rifle; saw an Indian lea » out of the grass, with a yell of Mange, and leg it for the timber-line at the top of 8 ° de his ig ; ‘“You only stung him! Go ahead and drop him,” Anaconda cried. Hal took aim and fired again; but, although the noble red-man flinched, he kept on, and was out of shot in a moment more, About an hour later, those in the cabin felt the building shake and tremble, as if jarred by an earth- quake, and a roar that sounded like the explosion of a thousand cannons, ‘* What in thunder’s ther meaning of that?’ Old Anaconda grunted, peering out. But, nothing could be seen to excite suspicion, Had he been in the vicinity of the home of Syl- vanus Dayton, the Magician, but a few minutes be- fore, he would have found the cabin surrounded b on A enn headed by the white villain, ‘He is in there, curse him!” the ren e cried, ‘Go, open the door, you pack of ye rate But, the savages were shy of the cabin, and could GOMIEDRDOOKS:. EO