Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 948 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

his foot upon the prostrate prisoner's breast, while he waited for the coming of the Don, for voices were heerd over by the mission, and forms were coming quickly to the scene. As for Wild Kid, he had glided away like a ghost when he saw his chance to do SO. CHAPTER NIV. BUFFALO BILL AT BAY. Buffalo Bill was glad to see that his young pard had skipped out so quickly, he feeling sure that Panama had not seen him. As he stood by the narrow window, a revolver in each hand, and his. foot upon his prostrate prisoner, whom he had told that a move would be the signal for his death, he saw four forms coming toward ‘the chapel. Of course, they were the Don, his son Juan, and two of the peon cowboys. Determined not to let the Don make the mistake of firing, if he could head him off, the scout called out: “Ho, Don Trego, I have been attacked by men who must have trailed me here. “Two of them are dead and I have the third a prisoner.” The words were uttered slowly and dis- tinctly, and were heard and understood, for the Don called back: “Oh, senor! It is terrible, home, too. “T will hang the one you have made a prisoner.” The Don then came running on to the seene, while Buffalo Bill called out: “ Hold, senor! I have been attacked, as T said, and I wish to be sure that those with you are not also my foes.” *“Ah, senor, never! They are my son, Juan, and my peon cowboys, Pedro and Antonio. “We are your friends and will defend you, for it makes me sad that they should have attacked you, my friend.” The Don and the others were now out- side of the door, which Buffalo Bill had not yet opened, for he asked: “ Who are these men?” “Three men from El Monte, senor, who came late ‘to-night and asked for shelter. even saying that they were friends of - yours, but would not disturb you. “They must have trailed you here. senor; but the Vigilantes of El Monte wl! deal with the prisoner quickly, and I w:il guard him myself until daylight and go with you to El Monte on the niorrow and see him hanged.” “Thanks, Don Trego, but I never al- low another to do that which it is my duty to attend to, so I will guard the pris- oner myself,” and the scout opened the door and then continued: “The lamp and matches are on that ta- ble, Don, so please let us have,some light.” . The Don’s hand tremb‘ed as he lighted the lamp, and Buffalo Bill, who was watching him closely, saw that he Was very pale. The failure of the attack, and fear of be- ing suspected of complicity im it had quite unnerved the Don. But appearing not to notice his fright, Buffalo Bill said: “Of course, Don, you are not responsi- ble for your guests; but it came very mear being a close call for me. “As IT had not been asleep, I saw them coming, felt their movements were. sus- picious, and prepared for them, “When they fired into the room and then rushed forward, I met them with my revolver, and as. the other two were quickly out of the game, I made this man a prisoner. and in my wad . 4 fm . : ‘es i ya ‘ 7, Oe ' ’ = ") ot ae ——_———— nn nn an nn nn ee ~«* Buitalo:, Bill's Snap-§ “Shot. * Hand me my lariat off of my saddle, please, Don, and after I have secured him I'll have a look at his face, for perhaps that may tell me why I have been ciogsed here—ah!’ and Buffalo Bill spran.s for- ward and seized the pr.soner by the throat with one hand, while he wrenched from him a letter he had seen him trying to tear up. The act of the scout showed the Don and the others that Buffalo Bill was a man of giant strength and tiger-like quick- ness, for Panama, they knew, justly boasted of his wonderful prowess, But in the hands of the scout he was but as a child. Thrusting the letter into his pocket, Buffalo Bill proceeded to search the pris- oner, all the time looking fixed!y into his face, until at last he said, in a puzzled kind of way: ‘I don't be lieve in the grave giving up its dead until they are called officially a the bugle eall of Gabriel: but if you Pes not been numbered with the shadows, | 2m greatly mistaken, for I will take oath that you are North Adams, deserter from the army, and murderer of Sergeant Fair four years ago. “I thought I had killed you, but it seems I was mistaken—yes, you are North Adams, and you escaped my bullet to die on the gallows.” CHAPTER NV. ON GUARD The seout could not but note the startled look of the prisoner at his recognition of him, as also his appealing glance to Dou Trego and Juan. He also caught the nod of response the Don quickly gave, but pretending not to notice it, said: ‘You need not appeal to the Don ind his son for help, for they are honest men, and are on my side; but even if they were not I would fight them to keep you, and they would have to answer to the sol- diers who are following on my trail if I disappeared.” The shot told, for the Don hastened to say: “Yes, senor, we are honest men, and though we know this man, We never sus- pected him of being the wretch he is. “He came to our house last night with his pards, as I have told you, but he ciume to kill you, and thus get me into trouble, ‘But I will put him in irons at once and guard him until morning for you.” * No, Don, I will ask you to guard those two dead men instead, and this man I will keep here, for he cannot escape when I have secured him—my lasso not on my saddle horn, you say? Well, there is one on my pack saddle, So hand me that, please,” It was given to him, for Buffalo Bill had forgotten that Wild Kid had his lariat when he asked the Don to hand it to him. Those who watched the scout tie the prisoner felt that he had had experience in that kind of work, and that Panama’s chances of getting free were yery slim. But the Don, though appearing to side with the seout, and against Panama, was only too anxious to aid the latter to es- enpe, He knew that he dare not refuse to aid him, as Panama would avenge himse’f by betraying him; and, little dreaming now that the scout was playing a waiting game in pretending te trust him, Don Trego said: ‘‘Now,. senor. I insist that you shall not watch the prisoner, for you have al- ready suffered enough under my roof,” *TLeave him to me and I will guard him, while you seek the rest you need.” ‘ : ' ore . yi a? £4 77 = dé : a ad is ae bes tae eR 5 c aa ‘ abe eae’ ' , : % “Senor, I’m as wide awake as an owl at midnight, and I will keep the prisoner here, * He is securely bound, as you see. I will draw my ¢ot across the door, and sleep serenely until I am ¢alled to eat the tempting breakfast I know your good wite will have for me.” * But, senor—” “T-am determined, ee “I hope the senor trust me with the prisoner,” reproachfully. ‘Why should 1? man?’ Don, so that ends does not fear to said the Don, Are you not an honest The sudden questions staggered the Don, and he gaye the prisoner a quick glance, and Butfalo Bill saw it, as well as aw Szvo-in return. That the Don understood the sign was evident, for he argued no more, and bid- ding Buffalo Bill good-night, was going to the door, when the prisoner asked: ‘May I have my blankets to rest on?” ‘Oh, yes; for I would not have you un- comfortable,” responded Buffalo Bill. The Don himself brought them, and in- sisted upon spreading them, while Buf- falo Bill, though pretending not to heed, heard the words slowly spoken by the prisoner: “Juan and the peons on the trail to- morrow.” The Don nodded, and left with his son and the peons, removing the bodies of the two dead men as they did so. Instantly Buffalo Bill blew out, He would take no chances of a slot in the dark, and closing the stout door, he bolted it. Then he drew his cot under the window. where he could raise his head and look out. * Now, North and I advise you to slumber, also.”’ “Tl am not North Adams,” “Why le, for your letter will prove that, as, though addressed to Captain Palos Panama, I noticed that it began, ‘My dear North.’ “Then, too, the lamp ‘ll take a nap, yourself in Adams, forget Adams, I reeognize you, and ember that you bear a scar on your head I gaye you, and thought the wound was fat: il, as it knoeked you off of the cliff into the riven} but you escaped in some way, and so we meet again. “ Now. go to sleep, for you cannot es- cape, and you know me well enough to understand that the Don and his outfit could not take you from me if they even felt inclined to do so.’ Whether convinced or not, Panama said no more, and the scout was soon asleep, though he Was on the alert even in slumber. CHAPTER. XVI. THE TWO TRAILS. When Buffalo Bill awoke the sun was up. There lay h‘s prisoner, Secure, as he had: left hin. Going to his paek saddle, the scout took out 2 pair of steel manacles, and these he put upon the prisoner with the remark: “ The lariat binds you, I see, but these Will be comfortable. * Understand, Adams, that low no nensense, so obey me,’ * T will, Buffato Bill.” The scout smiled, and asked quickly: “You have betrayed yourself, for why i shall al- did you call me Buffalo Bill? “My name is Fred Williams, you know.” The prisoner bit his lip viciously, for he felt that he had made a mistake, ty : i, 454 . Bho ag [ : Te THIER UOT i con