Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 939 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

rOoros 1 tk Be hk @ a —_ os —-. a NP. Ae —— te - = ay a, | a Kit Bandy’s “Star” Engagement. ~ ed, and her dark Ss pes staring wildly as though suddenly transfixed with terror. The youth quickly turned his eyes in the direction the maiden was gazing, when, to his own surprise and utmost terror, he beheld a hideous Indian warrior, who was standing on the steps, his head and shoulders just reaching above the edge of the roof and leering upon them like a triumphant demon. CHAPTER XVIII. EXCITEMENT ON THE HOUSE-TOP, AT sigkt of the hideous red-skin Desert Dan sprung to his feet, and Juan, the Scout, snatch- ing a revolver from his belt, in a twinkling aimed a shot at the savage; but just as the weapon ex- ploded the Prince of the Saddle struck up the muzzle aud the bullet whistled harmlessly over the intruder’s bead. A cry of terror burst from the lips of Zulita and Lucille. ‘‘ Treachery |!” hissed Juan, as he flashed a look at Desert Dan, again cocked his revolver and turned it toward the Indian who still held his position on the steps. ‘‘ Hold on, Juan!” Desert Dan again inter- rupted, ‘‘that Indian is Kit Bandy, the Moun- tain Detective!” Juan lowered his revolver, and the Indian stepped up onto the house-top and gazing at the ema assembly burst into a low, chuckling augh. ‘“Is it true? are you Kit Bandy?’ demanded Jean Ballé. * Desert Danny epeaks the truth,” answered the disguised man; “‘I am Ka-ristopher Ko- lumbuss Bandy, and as gentle as a maiden and harmless as a butterfly. So good-evening, people! I must beg, your pardon for this un- ceremonious intrusion, I couldn’t helpit. Fall- ing into paradise here, I have been wanderin’ around intoxicated-firunk on its glory, its music and beauty, its sunset and flowers and—Desert Dan inthe very midst of it all.” It devolved upon Desert Dan to introduce the old mountain and plains detective to Jean Ballé and his family, and when this was done Old Kit soon set the party at ease, and for ten minutes held them spellbound by the thrilling story of his adventures, His personal appearance had not been im- ae by his experiences of the last twenty-four ours. Shornof all his barbaric toggery, with the various colored paints on his face blending inso one dirty hue, he was indeed, a wretched- looking specimen of an Indian chief, But as usual, Bandy made himself at home and soon had won the confidence of all, and be- came the source of no little merriment by the vein of whimsical humor that ran through all his conversation and his stories. He questioned Desert Dan about the result of the fight in the sink the night before, and as to how he had escaped from the desert to find refuge in the home of Jean Ballé. Dan told him all he knew of the conflict, but could give no information as to the fate of Tom Rattler and his two young friends. ‘“* Poorole Tom Rattler!” sighed Bandy; ‘“ I’m afraid it went hard with him, for that gang o’ cut-throats under Sangre are the wu’st varmints that ever weut unquartered. Ole Tom Rattler war one 0’ the bravest men and warmest friends that ever swatted a red-skin or divided his last crumb with a fellow-man. But, Danny, what became of your black stallion?” ‘*He got away from under me and the Mexi- can last night,” replied Dan, ‘‘and that’ssthe last I've seen of him. Whether he fell into the outl .ws’ clutches or has escaped back to his old haunts, I know not; but [ do know his getting away knocked me out of one thousand good dol- lars, for that was what Don Alvar de Vaca was to pay me for delivering him at Aztec Ranch on the Rio Hondo.” “Wal, by the horn o’ Joshua!” exclaimed Bandy, ‘‘ that’s been the most coveted hoss that ever dashed sand into the atmosphere, But after all it’s not the hoss that’s wanted so much as the secret of a foul, treacherous murder, and of the lost mines of Trinchera that it is believed the horse carries, That’s what I’ve been after, at any rate, for six months,” ‘* Ah! then you are on the trail of a murderer, Kit Bandy,” said Jean Ballé, manifesting some anxiety in the detective story. ‘Yes, but it’s a cold trail, my friend: and ’ since last night’s discovery it has vanished en- tirely, and if a few of us ever gets out of this desert alive, we can be thankful for small fa- vors. I must confess the situation is not the safest, for Captain Sangre’s dander’s up, and thar’s a premium on my ambrosial locks.’ ** Oh, dear, dear!” exclaimed Lucille, clasping 4 her thin, father, ‘‘I hope those terrible Desert Pirates will not find Paradise Vale!” ‘* If they do find it, it will be just as I found it,” Kit explained, ‘‘by mere accident. I was lookin’ for a hidin’ place, 11 admit, but was on the very brink of this Eden before I knew it war in existence. Then I fell into it, and began to exploreit. I found it war peopled, and that there were domestic animals in no small num- bers grazing berein. Islaked my thirst at two different springs, and came mortal nigh washin’ my hands and face, but I didn’t. But if the pirates do strike this bower while Desert Dan and your Uncle Ka-ristopher Bandy is here, Miss Lucille, they’) hear different music from that which charmed the savage breast o’ Jaguar Head a few minutes ago and drew him up them steps as though a rope was ’round his neck and fourteen hosses pullin’ on it.” ‘* A shot has never been fired in anger in this valley,” spoke in Juan, the Scout; *‘ but all the same we have been always ready to defend our- selves |if attacked, There’s not a man or wo- man here but can use a rifle or revolver with splendid skill,” By this time it was dark, and on account of Lucille’s health it was suggested by her father that they all retire within doors, On descending from the roof Kit Bandy pro- posed to Desert Dan that they take a stroll about the valley to see that no danger really lurked therein. The Saddle Prince readily accepted, for he was only too glad to get out and test his strength, and be assured that he was himself again, despite the ordeal through which he had passed. Excusing themselves to Jean Balié and his family, the two left the bacienda and strolled out toward the east side of the valley. Meanwhile Juan, the Scout, had gone up to the main entrance to the valley to see that all was right there. He wasafraid the Desert Pi- rates might track Old Kit there, and as there was but one entrance by which a horseman could get into the vale, the place could be easily watched, at least. in the shadows under the bluff some fifteen rods from the hacienda, Kit Bandy and Desert Dan stopped. “Kit,” said the Boy Prince, ‘* what do you think of Jean Ballé and bis family?” ‘*T think he’s a confounded ole looney,” re- sponded Bandy, ** keeping them two agonizin’ pretty gals here exposed to danger, and away from the society o’ civilization.” ‘* You don’t think it could be possible that the man is a fugitive hiding here from justice, do you, Kit?” ‘‘He may be an outlaw and then he may not. Like I, Ka-ristopher Ko-lumbuss Bandy, he may be lurkin’ here—hidin’ from the wrath of a cantankerous wife,” “What? Kit Bandy a married man?” ex- claimed Dan, ‘*Well, < should say so with thunderous emphasis, Danny,” Bandy answered; ‘‘ I’m too muchly married, and that’s why |’m among In- gins and pirates and b’ars, and I’m no outlaw either, or fugitive from justice, and that may be what’s ailin’ Jean Ballé, But it can’t be that the mother of them gals war an old Sabina Bandy 0’ a woman, If I wara half a century younger, I’d start a romance in Paradise by fallin’ in love with one o’ them gals, Old Tom Rattler’d do it, anyhow—fallin love with, both o’ them, Old Tom's a terrible fool’bouta prety gal. But gals aside, Danny, I'll venture to’ sa that Jean Ballé is not that man’s true name, have met with a dozen just synch men in my rambles ’round through the hills and over the plains, and there was always some secret—some mystery ’bout every one o’ them, ‘Jean Ballé is of French extraction, at least, Ishould say. He doesn't look like a man hiding away here through fear—a criminal outlaw; he looks more like a man of sorrow, and withala high-minded man of honor. But, if he was roven to be the leader of the Black Arroyo assacre—the murderer of Horace Mead, bis- self, I couldn’t disturb him on account o’ them twin fairies. There is one thing about him, however, that sticks in my craw: when I told him I was on the trail of a murderer, he started up as though I’d touched a tender spot.” ‘*That’s no more than natural, under the cir- cumstances,” Desert Dan observed; ‘* most any one would do the same, guilty or not, ,But, Kit, did you see that black horse here in the park tbat is an exact counterpart of Black Robber?” ** Horn o’ Joshua!” exclaimed Bandy; ‘‘no, I did not! Who knows but it may be the black colt o’ Carlita Bond’s story—the sire o’ Black { 8 399550SS998999095959929090 SS a ee me 11 white hands and drawing nearer to her | Robber? I'd like to ses that hoss, Danny, and lay my hands upon him.” ‘I think I can take you right to him, Mr. Bandy.” ‘* Lead forth, Dan’l.” The Prince of the Saddle led the way to where he had seen Old Jubal turn the horses into a corral, They found some five or six horses there, and among them was the black in ques- tion, The animals manifested some uneasiness at sight of the strangers, but Desert Dan, by exert- ing that peculiar power he seemed to hold over the horse, soon had them all around him licking his hand and receiving bis caresses, The black horse was quite gentle, and, while Degert Dan held him, Old Kit advanced and pressed his hand over the animal’s shoulders and withers. He was fully five minutes in making an examination of the horse. Finally he turned away, touched Dan on the arm, and together they passed ovt of the corral and walked back to their former position under the bluff. Then Bandy turned, facing the boy, and said, in a low tone: ‘‘Desert Dan’l, that black hoss out there is: the very hoss so many o’ us have been after!” ‘*Great gingrickys!” exclaimed the youth, ** you don’t say so, Mr, Bandy!” ‘* He’s got just such ascar on the shoulder,” Kit went on, ‘‘ as I'd expected to find, but there was no foreign substance under the skin, If it is the right hoss, that locket was taken from. out its novel receptacle, aud by who? ‘* And, again, Danny: if that black colt fell into the hands of Jean BajJlé, be possesses the secret I’m huntin’ for, and, what’s more, one or the other o’ them two gals—either Zulita or Lucille—is ‘ Dolly’ Mead. the child fugitive—the only survivor of the Black Arroyo Massacre !” CHAPTER XIX, A SAVAGE WAR-CRY, PONDERING a minute over Kit Bandy’s words, Desert Dare wondered which of the two girls could be Dolly Mead, should the old detective’s deductions be true. | ‘* Kit,” be finally said, ‘‘ you surely must be swroug about this matter.” a ay be, it’s true,” admitted Bandy, ‘‘ but there’s a black hoss which any one can see is well along in years. He hasascar ov his left shoulder that‘ll answer for Horace Mead’s in- cision for the little locket, There are two gals, either one of which ’ll answer for Dolly’s age— about fifteen. You see, lad, we detectives some- times jump at shadows in hopes of finding a substance. W hen lookin’ for clews we let noth- n’ escape. ‘** Now it’s true, Ballé may have the black colt sent out from the arroyo, and yet know nothin’ o’ the massacre, or the gal, Dolly, but he acted just a bit uneasy when I told him I was on a trail. At least I thought so, and at the time IL knew nothin’ of his havin’ a black hoss either. ‘The next thing, however, is to get the real facts. I don't like to come right out and ask the man "bout the hoss and sll his private affairs. I don’t want to do any sneak-work, and yet I must know certain before I leave this valley. But, say, Danny, I want to tell youa bit of a secret before we go back to the hacienda: Just at daybreak this mcrnin’ I pulled out into the desert with ten o’ my Apache warriors, and lay nighly all day in a sand-pit a few miles from Spring Basin, As night wasagain approachin’, we Seswge out for the east, seein’ Captain Sangre and his gang didn’t leave the basin, for the ver good reason that we'd stampeded over half their’ hosses, By accident we stumbled onto this ye and stepped into it unobserved,” ‘““Then your Apache friends are near here?” Desert Dan observed, as his hand dropped to the revolver presented him by Juan, the scout, and a smile flitted over his face. ‘Yes, but you needn’t worry "bout yer skulp, boy, for them ’Paches are Kit Bandy heroes, They stood by me at fearful cost, and here’s to them as long as I can pull a trigger or sound a Jaguar Head war-whoop. “ But I expect it would be a little ticklish if them gals knew the warriors were so near, and I smile to know Juan, the scout, has overlook-. ed their presence. As I scart you nearly all to death on the house-top by my ferocious and. warlike presence, I—” “My jolly old friend,” interrupted Desert: Dan, ‘‘ I'll confess you make a sockin’, Jaguar- ish-lookin’ Ingin, but, by the holy gingrickys! I'll give ty a prize if you’ll wash the paint and. dust of the desert off your face so that I could see what Old Kit Bandy really looks like.” ‘Boy, you'd be disappointed if Idid. You'd see little of the once handsome and Napoleonic chook ++. ‘com My : — : J 2 ) ° , ~) - y . —_ > a ™