Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 936 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

14 oe —- Surgeon, was going among the redskin and paleface wounded alike to lend his aid. The story was soon told, how the courier had been found dead on the trail, an ar- row in his heart, and those with the wounded had at once hastened on to the fort to bear his despatches. They had arrived much later than he would have done, but for that reason Colo- nel Benham had driven his men the hard- er, and with three guns, two troops of cay- alry and three companies of infantry, mounted, he had arrived upon. the scene with panting horses and tired men, but ready and in time ‘to save the day and give the Indians a lesson long to remem- ber. ; “Find out, Night-Hawk, just what ex- cuses some miners gave for not coming with you and you will doubtless spot the men who are the friends or allies of the outlaws. “My boy pard and myself are going to Solve that mystery about the two women who held Joe up, and we'll know some- thing about it when you see us next. “Tell Joe, if he goes out on the next run, he may see us on the trail, and not to be surprised at anything that turns up, for we are in the game to win.” So said Buffalo Bill to Night-Hawk George when, after his return with Ned from pursuing the Indians, they met at noon in the camp of the soldiers. “Well, my young friend, what do you think of life in the Wild West now?” asked Colonel Benham of Ned Osmond. “T think it was really wild life and war to the knife, sir, that I have seen in the past twenty-four hours,” responded Ned. “Ts such life going to drive you East again?” ‘““T will remain West, sir, until I accom- plish the mission that brought me here,” was the quiet reply. “ Well said; but let me tell you that all agree that you have earned the name my little daughter gave you of Little Buffalo Bill, and your gallant services, re- ported by Chief of Scouts Cody, Captain Baldwin, and witnessed by others, will gain for you special mention im my re- ports to headquarters.” ‘*T thank you, sir, and you are most kind; but I.am not a soldier, sir.” “True, but I hope you may be some day, for you would be an ornament to the noble profession. “ Buffalo Bill tells me he is going on a scout. and that you are to accompany him.” “Yes, sir.” “Well, success to you, and take good care of yourself—and of my Chief of Scouts. “T will tell my little daughter you are a ‘credit to the name she gave you.” Ned thanked the colonel, and soon after rode out of camp with Buffalo Bill, a well-laden pack horse following them. CHAPTER XXIV. TRATLING THE MYSTERIOUS FOUR. The battle had been a severe one, the Indian losses having been very heavy- The miners, under their gallant leaders. Night-Hawk Powell and Captain Luke Leathers, had fought well and their losses had been considerable, but all realized how terrible would have been the blow had that large force of Indians swept down wpon Mountain City, and their ‘brave doctor and Buffalo Bill were given full credit for their most valuable ser- vices. The soidiers encamped upon the scene until the next day, and then took up their march for the fort with their dead and wounded. | Captain Baldwin, with a troop of cay- Buffalo Bill’s Boy Mascot. alry, a company of mounted infantry and a field gun, had followed on the trail of the Indians, intending to make an ex- tended scout and then return to the fort. The miners, with their dead and wounded, had gone back to Mountain City, and twenty-four hours after the fieree battle the reddened field was left deserted, save for the gnaves of the In- dians and the bodies of the fallen horses and ponies which had brought swarms of coyotes and flocks of vultures to the scene. In the meanwhile Buffalo Bill had gone on his way with his boy pard and their pack horse. He had decided that it was best to go at once to the scene of the hold-up of the coach and begin right there to track the mysterious four who had so cleverly got- ten away with the treasure in the strong box. It was near sunset when the two reached the Overland trail, and, turning into it, Ned soon after said: “There is where we were halted, but look at the wolves and buzzards, sir.”’ “Yes, the outlaws left in such haste they forgot to bury their dead,”’ and the scout’s voice was raised to frighten off the vultures and coyotes. “See, Ned, there are the two outlaws, one brought down by your shot, the other by your dog.”’ “T wish Chum was with us now,” said Ned, and he gazed sadly down upon the torn remains of the two outlaws, while Buffalo Bill remarked: “We must show more humanity than did their comrades, and bury them—ah! there are their horses down the valley still staked out where they left them. “The two men who fled must indeed have been in a fright to have left the horses of their dead pards; but they are your property, Ned.”’ The horses were well nigh famished for water, and had eaten the grass to the dirt all around where their stake ropes gave them play. The torn bodies of the men were placed upon blankets taken from behind the outlaws’ saddles, and borne to a spot near by, where, after the scout and Ned had selected a camp for the night, they were decently buried. After their humane work, and the horses had been well cared for, they had supper and turned in early for a night’s rest, for they felt the tax upon them, though Buffalo Bill said: “You’ve got iron sinews, boy pard, and are as tough as hickory to stand what you do.” “Oh, yes; I’m tough in more ways than one, I suppose, but I wish Chum was along,’ Ned replied. ‘So do I: but now to bed, and as Joe Tarvis comes along to-morrow he can take these two horses to the next relay and leave them until his return, and then earry them into Mountain City for you.” “T guess I'll be hanged for a horse thief yet, for I’m getting plenty of Stock that somebody will call me down for some day,” and Ned laughed. The night passed without any disturb- ance, and having had breakfast and wa- tered their horses, which had had a cool feed of grass, they mounted and rode on to the spot where the coach had halted to dress the wounds of Joe Jarvis and Ned. and the former had been held up by the feminine passengers. “ Here is where I found Chum. wounded, but waiting as though he was guarding us from being followed,” said Ned. Soon after he added: “here is the spot, for you see the coach turned off here. “The two men had gone on ahead, as —_--"—~ -_oOoO "was though seared, and when I left to look. for Chum the women got in their fine! work on poor Joe.’’ Buffalo Bill looked over the ground] most thoroughly. He found the tracks of the women in’ some soft ground, and he took out of his | pocket some paper and a pencil and drew the outlines completely, also taking exact! measurements. When they followed the tracks on to! the trail Ned watched the scout closely. | He had no need to tell him more, for he followed the trail as unerringly as a! houna would a fresh scent. Here and there the tracks of the men ' were found. One ‘vas large, the other small, and a/| diagram of the shoes was drawn as of; the women’s. : Buffalo Bill walked on ahead. Ned fol-| 1owed, leading the horses. At last the scout halted. P ‘Here is Where the men were met by some one with horses, and they waited for the coach, but found the women had’ played the game and won.” “Yes, sir; there is where Joe said the" party mounted, the women, at least, but. be was not so sure about the men.” “All did, for here are the tracks of both the men and the women. “There were seven horses, for here are' their tracks, so it will be an easy trail to) follow. “Whether there were more than one’ man with the horses of course I cannot’ now tell, but I would think there were two. “The horses were here some hours wait-] ing for the coach to come along. ‘“Now, we'll wait for Joe, and then’ off on that trail we go, and it looks easy to me, boy pard.” : “Tt don’t to me, but I hope to learn) some day. “At sea I would say it was a hard beaf! to windward in the dark.” —_—_—_—=— CHAPTER XXYV. THE UNERRING TRAILER. They had not long to wait for the eoach, for it soon came along and Joe Jar-! vis was on the box. *He saw Buffalo Bill and Ned, and, draws! ing up, called out: “ How are you, fellers? “T drives a empty huss’ ter-day.” * All right, Joe; how are you?’ ‘“Fu’st class—ah! yer knows him, does yer ?—why, he was oneasy away back, for I guesses he scented yer, boy pard, and he were that narvous back at ther Good Cheer, Cap'n Luke told me I'd _ better bring him along, for he ties ter Me Tow you was away,” and Joe spoke of Chum, the dog being on the top of the coach, and delighted at seeing his master again. “Ther Doc’, Night-Hawk George, dress- ed his wounded foot this morning afore he come away, and said it wouldn’t trou- ble him no more, only not let him run tod much.” “Yes, he seems all right now; but how is your wound, Joe?’ asked Ned. “Pu'stclass, though I hain’t cuttin’ up no shines on it just yet; but Buffalo Bill, yer did give ther reds Hail Columbia, and ther miners is singin’ yer praise in fog- horn notes; but you and ther young un’ are on ther trail of them petticoat road- agents, I take it?” ’ “Yes, and we wish you to lead these two horses on to the next relay and pick them up on your return,” : “T'll do it, Bill.” “ And if you hear any news of the four at the end of your run, just keep it for us, for we will doubtless meet you on your return.” | nic Wor. 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