Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 93 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

8 The Boy Miners. —- Se a Py Lr ne Se PPE OES SS CEE OTN ESES ES CURT Sa GAPS GEORG OE SET SSE ** That man, for some reason or other, doesn’t wish any visitors in these parts,” was the reflec- tion of Inwood, ‘‘ and he has a special objection to white men. There is some connection be- tween what I have seen and that island out in the lake.” Having learned all that he deemed it safe to learn, he carefully made his way out of his hiding-place, and soon after rejoined his friends behind the grove. Jim had had some difficulty in controlling the actions of the mule, but he had succeeded at last in bringing him to a stop by shying him against the trunk of a tree, as he swung round his circle. ‘**Dat’s de way to put de brakes on,” said Jim; ‘‘no danger ob de wheels slippin’—fotched him up chock !” ‘**L suppose you didn’t understand what I meant,’’ remarked George, as he resumed his horse, ‘‘but I discovered a man watching us, and I wanted to watch him a little.” **Did you see him?” ** Yes; but I took good care that he didn’t see me. You heard a gun fired shore after you left. That was done by him, and he took de- liberate aim at you, but the distance proved too at. As might be expected, this announcement created quite a sensation. ‘“‘He is a white man,” added DORG Ss ‘+ al- though he is disguised asan Indian. Why he should do so, I cannot understand, but I suspect he does not want any one to know that there are white men in this vicinity. It might draw others here, to which he appears to have a strong objection.” ‘*Tt has sumfin’ to do wid dat ’ere island!” as- serted Jim. ‘‘ I believe you are correct.” ** An’ dere is spooks about, so de best t’ing we can do is to trabble. I—I—I—don’t t’ink the air around here ’grees wid me.” ‘We must find a suitable place to setile down here for a few months, or at any rate, until I understand the mystery about this Enchanted Island.” ‘* Jus’ as you says; I don’t care about Ingins for I can come de gold trick ober dem, but I don’t like spooks.” ‘‘Can’t you serve them the same way?” ‘*No; dey won’t hold still; dey is always on- an’ den I’s afeerd ob ’em.”’ ‘ They have never harmed any one as yet.” ‘But dey will carry you off—dat’s what dey will do.” ‘* Do you think we are going to find any gold?” inquired Edwin. We may and we may not; the chances are equally good in almost any place in this sec- tion. ‘*T suppose there is plenty of hunting?’ if Tent and we will let vou range the woods. Jim may look for gold, while I keep my eye on this island. I think we shall all find enough to interest us.” “Pg no ’bjection, so long as I don’t have to hunt spooks,” replied the negro. ‘Tt seems to me,” continued George, pointin ren Am ‘that off pennant parr be a place for our camping-ground. uppose we make a search there?” . ‘* Dat’s good,” said Jim, with a pleased coun- tenance, ‘don’t you see dat de mule has got his head turned dat way? Jus’ wait a min- u : The animal was shoved a little to one side, so as to go clear of the tree, when he instantly started off on his long, loping walk, while the rest followed. _ The point indicated by George Inwood was a mile away, and when they reached it, the found themselves on the border of a large eaod, with an undergrowth of almost impenetrable density. A small stream of clear cold water gushed silently forth; and, following up the pebbly bed of this for several yards, they made an abrupt turn to the — when they fixed upon their camping-ground. A small space was cleared off, and their tent erected, when they search for a grazing ground for their horses. ‘This was found without much difficulty, and, by the middle of the afternoon, they were fairly settled in their new quarters. They had enough a to give them a meal, when they all lay down to rest and chat over matters. ‘* To-morrow, Edwin, you start on hee hunt,” said George, ‘‘ and, as we are in a totally new country, you must use extra caution.” ‘‘ What shall I bring you?” asked the young hunter, ‘‘ a grizzly bear or an antelope?’ ‘*T prefers an antelope,” replied Jim, “ an’ if ou come across a grizzly b’ar, you’d be ke my advice an’ give him a wide berth.” ‘“‘ Yes: fire your gun only when it is necessary ; don’t be tempted aside by any wish for sport, or any ambition to become a great hunter.’ dwin had received this advice so often that he did not see the necessity of its being re- yeated. He could only repeat his intention to be prudent and careful, as he had been at all times. ‘* As we have several hours of daylight before us,” continued Inwood, ‘‘ suppose we make a reconnoissanze of the lake?” ‘Dat ’ere will suit me,” replied Jim. you to see dat island fly away. I won’t b’lieve it till you see it.” ‘That I certainly shall not; you will go with us, Edwin?” ' ‘‘T would rather take a ramble in another di- rection, if you are willing.” ‘‘ Certainly ; try and be in before dusk. Come, Jim, if you are ready.” They stepped into the brook, and, walking on the hard, pebbly bed, soon emerged into the open, rocky country, about a mile distant from the lake. ‘* Now, Jim,” said Inwood, ‘‘ we must be par- ticularly cautious. There are other white men in this neighborhood, and lam sure if they knew we were here, they would as lief kill us as not, to get us out of the way.” **S’pose so; but den what would we do all dat time?’ was the surly demand of the African. ‘While dey was doing dat, we’d have de chance to try de gold trick. I would just as lieb see dem as not—a little lieber, I t’ink.” ‘“T would not; if we can get along without trouble, it is our duty to do so, and I particu- larly request you to be cautious in your move- ments. The man that I watched has already fired his gun at us, and if he can steal up within a hundred feet, it isn’t likely he’ll make such a miss as he did awhile ago.” ; “ Hang ’em! what do dey wish to shoot us or? “That's the question which I wish to settle.” ‘‘ An’ what does he want to make hisself look like one ob dem darkies for, ’stead ob being ’spectable?” ‘‘ Tt is all curious, Jim, but I have hopes that we may penetrate the mystery before long.” All this time the two men were carefully making their way toward the lake, both of them constantly gazing about them to discover any signs of danger. Inwood saw nothing, and was about to congratulate himself upon the secrecy which had attended their entrance into this strange section, when Jim suddenly started. ‘* Dere he is! look dere!” ** Where?” He pointed a little to the right of the lake; but, as Inwood followed the direction of his finger, he saw nothing, and so he said. “He just now dropped down—right dere— let’s foller him up,’ exclaimed the negro, dash- ing straight at the , while Inwood speedily followed him, hardly certain whether he was acting prudently or not in doing so. All the time they kept their eyes fixed upon the point, and the nature of the ground bein such that the stranger could not escape withou being seen, they were confident of either catch- ing or identifying him. Jim made gress, despite hi inly manner of traveling, and, in a few moments, he came upon the place, which consisted of a small rock raised about a foot above the surface, Dashing forward, he made a spring over it, his immense feet coming down simultaneously and tremendously. te pare I got you! hold still now, for you is as But he wasn’t, no one was there. CHAPTER IX. EXPLORING A MYSTERY. InwoopD laughed at the look of his sable friend, as he gazed about him, as if he did not under- stand the meaning of this. ‘* Where is your man?” he asked. ‘‘ Gracious! I don’t know; wonder if I didn’t mash him down into de ground,” he said, step- ping to one side and reviewing the huge foot- prints which he had made inthe sod. ‘‘ He ain’t dere! wonder where he went?” - t he hasn’t been there at all. You must have been mistaken, Jim. Are there any other footprints?’ After strict search they failed to find any, and Inwood was satisfied of Jim’s mistake, although the latter was loth to admit it. ‘‘ Now,” said Inwood, ‘I am going to find out all I can about matters and things. If you ewe you can go home, or you can remain ere. ‘“‘Tf it’s all de same to you, I t’inks [ll retire,” said Jim, displaying considerable eagerness to *T want know you ood pro- get out of the immediate neighborhood. In- wood watched him until he disappeared from view as he went crouching among the rocks and hills back to his hiding-place. It was now near nightfall, and our young friend deemed it best to make himself invisible until he could reconnoiter with safety in the darkness. In this wild, rocky country, it was easy to find a secure hiding-place, and this he did, first satisfying himself that he was not watched in his maneuvers. Night finally descended upon mountain and lake, and when it was fully dark, Inwood crept cautiously forth, and approached the edge of the water. e moon did not rise until late, and he was sure that if any sentinel was on guard, he had not detected his approach. He had come upon the lake at a point several hundred yards removed from the pons where the canyon de- bouched into it, and he sat down for a few mo- ments to meditate upon the best thing to do. As he sat and listened, he was sure he heard a faint rippling out upon the lake near the point where he could just make out the dark outlines of the island looming up in the distance; but the Sperm prevented his discovering anything more. ehind and around him was darkness, and in that solemn moment, George Inwood, naturally devout and thoughtful, lifted up his heart to the eat Being above the stars, and sat for a time in blissful communion, such as the men of the world can never know. He felt that this was a strange undertakin upon which he was about to venture, and, wit the simplicity of a child, he asked that he might do that only which was right, and that he and those with him might be protected to the end. He concluded after fully deliberating upon the matter, to remove his clothing; and swim out to the island. By this means he could ex- amine it silently, and thoroughly, and with more safety than if he remained on shore wait- me a suitable opportunity. is clothing was rolled into a bundle, and places in a niche among the rocks, after which e took his bearings to make sure of no diffi- culty in recovering them. This done, he waded carefully out, immediately rushing above his head into the chilly waters. The first shock over, the lake felt cool and pleasant, and he struck out slowly and easily toward the island. As he neared the place which had created such wonder, he slowed his strokes, until he barely moved through the water, while he kept his eyes and ears open. Nothing suspicious re- warded his vigilance, and he was on the point of advancing more rapidly, when he detected the outlines of a man standing on the very edge of the island nearest him. Inwood was so close that at first he was sure he had been discovered; but, as the stranger gave no evidence of suspecting anything, he owly backed water, and gradually worked his way round to the opposite side. Here he dal- lied awhile, until see ng nothing alarming, he began making his way in. ut again, at this very juncture, he caught the glimmer of a light, heard the suppressed murmur of a voice, followed by a gentle plash- ing. The next moment he made the startling discovery that, while he was not approaching the island, it was approaching him. An inde- scribable thrill ran through him, and he under- stood the feeling which Jim had expressed; but his own sense forbade any faltering, and he concluded to wait for the ‘mountain to come to Mahomet.” A moment later he touched the edge of the nae ne then learned aoe 1 of oo is han Were 7estng een ogs, an they extended several feet below the surface. ‘‘T have learned one thing,” was the reflection of Inwood; “‘ this Enchanted Island rests upon logs, and isn’t much more than a skillfully cov- ered raft.” But the question still remained, as to what it all meant. What earthly reason could there be for a floating island in the midst of a lonely lake? There was some object beyond all ques- tion, and he resolved, if possible, to ascertain it for himself. As he floated along with the island he heard the grating of poles upon the bottom of the lake, and it was therefore easy to comprehend the means of locomotion. Shortly after he detected shadowy forms pass to and fro, as they busied themselves in shoving the craft along. The phantom-like appearance of things was in- creased by the silence with which these men worked. As yet, he had not heard a whisper exchanged between them. Inwood right speedily appreciated the deli- cately dangerous position in which he was placed. One of the raftmen, as he drove the | Eoimicbooks (El)