Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 942 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

A” a + ,s - ai yosee . j \ “a 2 ° . vs Sina! % - ci a. +e ,. > : hua'y-% A , i iy oY, ne é R. _* a + er i‘ q Se ae aia ae ‘ : } | Buffalo Bill’s Tough Tussle. ; as | 4 i Pac : i eS _ ss geout, in an awkward manner, for the | | aet was wholly new to him, ~ *¥ou are Buffalo Bill?’ said the youth, as the scout drew near. “Yes; but just who you are I e¢annot Zuess, y young pard,’ answered the scout, in a kindly way, gazing at the youth with admiration, “I do not know myself, but that does not matter, as I am here to save you.” “From what?’ ** Indians,” Buffalo L.ll eyed the youth searchingly, and asked: ‘Where did you come from?” * My home.” * Where is it?’ ‘* Never mind now about me, for you are in danger.” ‘‘ Where are there any Indians?” ‘*Not far from here, lying in ambush in the canyon for you.” “Ah! but I expected there.” * Soldiers?” ss Yes.” “They are gone.” * Where?” = * To the fort.”’ _ “But they surely left some one with a _ orse for me?” * No; they left a letter and some supplies on the cliff where your lariat is fastened to a tree, for they had to go away.” * 1 will go and see what the letter says. But how do you know this?” “ I knew that Indian Dick, the renegade, Was your guide, and was leading you into a trap, for he had hundreds of Sioux hid- ing in Sunset Canyon to attack the sol- diers. “So [ went to your chief and told him Indian Dick was a traitor, and I would guide him by a secret trail over the mount- aius, around Sunset Canyon.” “You tell me that you saw Colonel Doan?” ‘* Yes.” * Where ?”’ “He was camped on ahead of here half a mile.” : “Was he wounded?” “No; for the bullet fired at him flattened on a gold badge he wore.” “Thank Heaven for that! “ But you say Indian Dick is a renegade and treacherous 7?" * Yes; he lives with the Indians, but pretends to be a trapper living alone.” _“ Ah, and he had set a trap for the sol- diers, you say?" Yes.” “If this is tue then my estimate of the man was correct, for I doubted him from the first, and he had an ugly look that no honest man should have.” “He is a bad man.” “ Where is he now?’ “ With the Sioux, I guess, for he started out from the camp to find you, he said, but L saw his trail lead in another direc- tion, and the colonel sent an officer to see to find friends it, for he was a little afraid to trust me at first.’’ “ But he did trust you?’ Yes; and sent for the Men waiting for ou in the canyon, and I guided the gol- diers by night around Sunset Canyon, and there left them, for 1 thought I'd better come back and save you.” Buffalo Bill regarded the youth earnestly for a moment, and then said, as he held forth his hand: — . Boy pard, put it there, for we must know each other better,” | CHAPTER XI. BUFFALO BILL PUZZLED. youth shook hands with the great , though his In fact, the old hermit had taught the boy all he knew himself, had encouraged him to read, and always had _ bought books of various kinds in his pilgrimages to the settlements after supplies. ordering works that were a surprise to the one he ordered them of, for the man was a scholar and knew the world well from which he had exiled himseif by some deed of evil. Don, the boy hermit, therefore was strangely well informed, yet he had had no practical experience with the outside world of which he had read so much. ‘So you are here to save me, eh?’ ** Yes.”’ “Now tell me:‘just what you wish to save me from,” “I left the soldiers last guiding them to the trail. “The Sioux would follow them, I know, but they could escape them. “Then I came to save you, and as I turned into the timber | heard the Sioux riding hard after the soldiers, and there were a great many of them. “They had discovered that some one had found out what they were up to, and had guided the pale-faces around the dan- ger. * When they passed me, I rode back to the trail I had led the soldiers, not to meet the Sioux. “IT was coming to the canyon to meet you, but I concluded to scout ahead on foot first, and it was well that I did, for I found a smail band of Sioux in the pass. “They had seen the lariat, I guess, climbed up it, and found the letter and bag of provisious, and so knew some one was coming back that way. “That's how I thought it was, for there they were hiding in the canyon.” “IT guess you've got it about right, young pard.” \ “JT went back to my pony and .rode along the ridge until I came to a break, and then turned in to come here. ‘ “My pony is feeding down in the val- ley, where I hid him, and I stayed here, for they have a lookout who would see you if you went on the cliff, and signal to the others you were coming.” “ About how Many reds are there wait- ing for me?” “I saw a dozen, but there were more, I am certain.” “Too many for us:to tackle.” “We could not get near them, for they have their lookouts watching.” “It's worth a risk for me to ge, some- night, after thing to eat, for I'm as hungry as a coy-' ote,” “I've got some meat and bread with me —it’s where my pony is, and you can have it, for I'm going home as soon as I guide you to the trail to the fort. and then you'll have to be careful, for the Sioux are seat- tered all about.” ‘I will; but you are a trump to give me something to eat, so suppose we go and tackle it, for I guess you haven’t had your breakfast yet.” Yes, I ate my breakfast before day- break, when I came here to head you off. for I supposed you had gone so far you could not return at night.” “You've hit it there, boy pard, for I followed the man who so cowardly shot at Colonel Doan from an ambush, and I wish I could have come up with him. “He was a large man, with long hair and beard, and dressed in buckskin, “I fired at him as he mounted his horse, and hit him, but do not know how serious- ly he was wounded. Can you tell me who he is?” Ge cannot tell you,” was the quiet re- ply : turns his rifle. from ambush upon such a noble man and splendid soldier as is Colo- ne] Carrol Doan. : “ He is some renegade white man who fears the coming of the soldiers into this country, but ll trail him to his lair yet.” Don made no reply, but walked on to Where his Pinto pony was staked out, and getting his haversack of provisions from his saddle, he handed it to the scout. Eagerly Buffalo Bill attacked the broiled venison steak and hoe-cake, and greaily enjoyed his cold breakfast, leaving enough for another meal, which he handed back to the youth, who said: “You keep it, for it’s a long ride to the fort, and you will need it.” “| thank you, pard; but I’m good now for another twenty-four hours, and do not Wish to deprive you.” * But Lam going home as soon as I have put you on the trail, for from where I leave you you can ride to the fort by night.” * Well, I'll have to hoof it, pard, as I have no horse.” “IT Know; so won't you take mine?” * What will you do?” ‘ Hoof it,” was the smiling reply. “No, 'm not a tenderfoot, so can walk; you saved me from starving, and I'll not take your horse.” “Take him, for I don’t mind a run on foot.” * Why not go to the fort with me?’ “Oh, no, no! Not there!” “Why not?’ “T'll go home. “ Where is your home?” “It's yonder,” and in the sweep of the youth's hand Buffalo Bill could not place the direction. “ Who do you live with?’ ‘Tam all alone. now,’’ was the pathetic reply. * Then you are a boy hermit.” and Buf- falo Bill was more than ever interested in the-youth, “Yes, 'm a boy hermit.” * Will you not take me to your home?” “No, no! oh, no! -You must not £0 there,” was the quick and eager reply. More and more impressed with the youth, Buffalo Bill questioned him further, but seeing that he seemed distressed, and gave evasive answers, he said: “ Pardon me, my young friend, but I feel a deep interest in you, and believe me, you will ever find me your friend. “Some day I hope we will know each other better, but now I wil! not force my- self upon you, though I wish to ask you honestly if you desire me to take your horse?" * Yes, I do.” | “ What shall I do with him after reach- | ing the fort?’ “ Keep him, for I give him to you; but you must go now,” and saddling his pony and lengthening the stirrups for the scout, When the latter mounted, the youth Started off on foot at a swinging run thar surprised the scout at its steady and rapid pace, %* CHAPTER XII. A TIMELY MEETING. “That boy is a mystery to me, more than I can fathom,” muttered Buffalo Biil, as, without any effort, Don sped along ie valley at the base of the range, keeping the pony at a canter, His rifle was slung oyer his shoulder, his body erect, and he ran like one who had been ‘trained to it and was untiring. Putting the spurs to the pony, which he found to be a splendid animal, Buffalo Bill ‘ | trode close uy behind the youth and called out: - . «< * q * d out some day, for he to-run at large, . peri, there is no need of when. he,” TUDDING BON 460). : es : é #> - a : : a ¥ ; . 7) : 2 . o = bd ~ *. ; a ey *, ae, | . ° q = Lee. i . a’ aaa 7 se ' é | ~® ee a ‘ g . 4 Fe Ee ee er oe “ > — - » * es ee father had explain ao% rey ty ee tw ite tae ark “an a. AS . ‘ Ps v y’ 3 ( ed. oe, ai* se Lad « a See 5 Or? - * ~~ y a = ' - Sale . , 7 “? < y.- - r iat O78 Sl * Va Tor, e 3 * 2" ot . . : < . ou P. } y ty 253 * I |<." a oe ~~ ; ia Py o Paclin Py " : v ~~ > . ~ : Wee. . A i c>. +. 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