Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 1036 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

12 ee ee cto rr tr ee eee eee — ‘“Ffeavens!” exclaimed Harriott; ‘‘is it pos- sible?” “Verily I say unto ye, it is the case. I see’d ’em make the raft, and heard ’em talk ‘about it, and all what it war fur. They lmow’d ye were comin’, and intended to stop on Hunter’s Islan’. A red varlet they calted Creepin’-Vine brought ‘em the news, Creepin’-Vine overheard you fellers say whar you intended to stop, and I hearn the durned pups settin’ their traps to cotch ye, They left Creepin’-Vine over on shore to give the signal fur the attack to begin, in case ye war unkeerful enough, as the reds snpposed ye would be, to pack ’em over here in that raft. But Creepin’-Vine will never give that signal.” As he concluded, the old hunter tapped his irdle in a significant manner. The scalp of reeping-Vine was dangling there! ‘“Now,” he continued, “thar’s my canoe. Take it and run yerselfs over to the east shore, then one o’ ye bring it back arter me. I'll stay and talk away here like a rip and blazes, and make the dodrotted knaves think yer all sot up with the extract o’ sod corn.” ‘‘Hadn’t one of us better remain with you?” asked Meredith; you might get into trouble.” ‘Never mind me, boys. I’m ole greased lightnin’ on a run or swim, and if IL wunce git started thar’s no bullet or arrer as can catch me, So git, boys, and go easy as a shader.” e young men took up their rifles, and cross- ing the island to the lower side, entered the old hunter’s canoe, while the hunter himself sat down and began singing the old familiar border song that ran thus: “The possum he grinned at the ole hedgehog,; At the ole hedgehog, at the ole hedgehog; The ‘possum he grinned at the ole hedgehog, "Way down by the Squantum river,’ etc, “He's an odd genius,” said Frank Harriott, as they pushed out into the river, and permitted the canos to drop silently down-stream. In a few moments they had effected a safe and noiseless landing on the east bank of the river. Then Omaha returned with the canoe, and brought Old Shadow over from the island. Vahl haw! haw!” laughed the old hunter, ‘it’s a good ’un on’em pizen varlets, by cracky itis! And now Ill give the signal that Creep- in’-Vine, the former owner 0’ this ’ere scalp, war to give. A—yi! a—yil” 3 the last two cries echoed through the woods, every eye was. fixed upon the raft that lay plainly revealed by the moonlight. In- stantly there was heard a fluttering in the water, then a score of dark forms were seen to rise from the stream around the raft, and leap onto the island with a yell that resounded for miles and miles, Across the island they swept, their uplifted tomahawks gleaming in the moonlight. But their eden was soon turned to disappoint- ment and rage, for they found their enemy was gone—the birds had flown. Old Shadow chuckled with suppressed laugh- ter, and rubbed his horny palms with glee, and for awhile it seemed as though he would be un- able to restrain his emotions. CHAPTER XVIL. A VOICE FROM THE FLAMES. Tax deep-laid plan for the surprise and mas- gaore of the Lake Avengers, by Red Elk and his warriors, proved a decided failure, and when he found his enemies had escaped, his savage fury kmew no bounds, To have attempted to follow the whites then would have been an act of folly in violation of _an Indian’s usual precaution. 8 suspected the Avengers had not only outwitted them, but had laid a trap for their destruction. So he resolved to stay on the island till morning, then take up the trail of the enemy, and follow. So guards were posted on each side of the island, the ons that stood on the upper side taking his position on the raft. Owing to the circular form of the island, and the willows upon it, the guards were unable to see each other from their posts; neither could they be seon by their friends from the center of the island. Red Elk being beyond rifle range of either shore, order a fire lighted. He wished to hold a consultation with his warriors, and wanted a light by which to read the expression of each one’s face, and note the impression that his elo- quence would have upon them, So, in obedi- eace to his desire, a fire was built upon the large, flat stone in the center of the li le sand Some of the warriors now filled the bowls on the head of their tomahawks with tobacco, and began to smoke, while others threw themselves in listless, lounging attitudes upon the sand. Half an hour passed in silence, then Red Elk spoke, Every warrior rose to a sitting posture and assumed an attentive air. ‘‘ Braves of the great Sioux, and followers of _ Red Elk,” thoc bevan, with all the digni ~ and eloquence that he could master, but at t juncture there was heard a low at the u per side of the island, followed by two d sodden blows, and the oration an termination. ee —_——— LL a a rn eee ee ee Cait ee -- Se CS e- t—ee SS Gremuens his tomahawk, every warrior glided away in the direction from whence the sound had come, but when the upper side of the island was reached, all was silent as the grave. Upon he New York Library. | ory’s ear t ‘Inan, when he—Death-Notch—begged him to Val. Z --_——— ——————— -— ro ao -_-—- —— $e after the conflict at the deserted hut. Bug then ot could not drive from mem- ose wild, hoarse notes of the mad. the raft, however, a fearful sight met their |. flee from him in the woods. eyes. The guard was hanging, head cownward, Would not Fred’s face excite him again, and over the edge of the raft, dead. His head was | throw him into that fearful state scalpless, and across his cheek was a deep gash. | lable madness? The thought was = ring been By his side a fresh noteh was cut on one of the logs! it was the token of Death-Notch, the young Scalp-Hunter. A yell of terror burst from the red-skins’ lips. They leaped upon the raft and began searching it over for the terrible foe. But, to their sur- prise, the logs parted and began floating away, compelling them to beat a hasty retreat ack to the island. The withes that bound the logs to- gether had been eut asunder by the young Scalp-Hunter, with the intention, no doubt, of destroying their chance of escape from the is- land, without taking to the water. The doubly defeated savages had not a doubt but that Death-Notch had made good his escape from the island; nevertheless, they made a hasty search for him, but in vain. Stung to fury, they gathered around their camp-fire again, New fuel was added to the flames. The light leaped out in strong, red beams, and fell with a lurid glow across the grim, demoniac faces of the savages. Red Elk was the sole embodiment of rage. His expedition, that at first promised so fruit- ful, was proving a wretched failure. He ad- dressed his warriors in a fierce eloquence, every word of which added new fuel to the fire of their revengeful hearts. It was some time be- fore the storm subsided. Then, with malignant scowls, they all bent their eyes upon the fire, as if actuated by a single impulse. Then they start. A low groan issues from the very depths of the crackling flame. It is human, and seems to jar the fire, for a million sparks went upward from its bosom, as though a stone had been dropped into its center. Appalled, the savages start back. Another oan issues from the fire. A column of sparks oat upward, wavering and crackling in the currents of air. The savages start to their feet—recoil. “Tt is well, fiends,” shrieks a hollow, ghost- like voice. The burning fagots leap and dance in the fire. The flame waves and splutters spitefully. Sparks, millions of sparks, float upward. The red-skins stand aghast. A spirit was within the fire. It spoke, and crackling flames and snapping sparks were breathed fort The warriors.grow bolder. They now ad- vance closer to the fire and begin circling around it, gazing with starting eyes into the flame. They see nothing. Mysterious terror fills their hearts. “ Red-skins, why do you stare at me?” the voice came from the fire. ‘“ 1 am the spirit that will consume you when Death-Notch has hun rour scalps at his girdle. I am angry. remble.” The ar o> began to leap and quiver on the stone. 6 flame wavers and the light flickers and flashes. Smoke and sparks float upward. The savages stand paralyzed with terror. Red Elk has no power of eloquence to break that fearful spell, for he, too, is rooted to the spot with mysterious awe. At length there isacalm, The flame gathers strength, and the light flares out on the painted, terrified faces around it. A minute passed. Again the sparks begin to rise from the fire, and the flame to quiver. Thespirit was moving within it. Then there was a sudden crash, an: the air was filled with flying firebrands, red-hot coals and hissing pax cs In were irection had the camp-fire been hurled, right and left into the very faces of the red-skins; then all was darkness. The savages took to the river, and swimming ashore, fled away into the forest with absolute terror. Half an hour later a human figure stood in the center of the island. Over the facewas an iron mask, It was Death-Notch, the young Scalp-Hunter! At his feet, leading down under the island, was the small mouth of a cavern. The wide, flat stone, upon which the savages had built their camp-fire, concealed the opering from their view. There, in the cavern under the stone, had Death-Notch been concealed—having entered the cave through a small opening under the edge of the island, where it had escaped the savages’ eyes; and there, under the flat stone, had the young Scalp-Hunter worked upon their fears in the manner we have already shown. CHAPTER XVIIL. AN UNWILLING EAVESDROPPER. Frep TRAvIs lay like one under a terrible fascination. That voice fell upon his ear the voice of doom. There was no mistaking it. It was the voice of Death-Notch, the terror of the red-skin and the fear of the settler. He spoke in that even, natura] tone that he had used when he had first made himself ~ ; Se Ss pleasant to Fred, and he began to think of es- caping from the cabin. But this he found would be impossible. door, and near this the brother and sister stood. The cabin had but one The youn bent his ear and listened. He heard them talking, and learned that he himself was the subject of their conversation. ‘Yes, Raiph, he is better,” he heard Vida say; “‘he has entirely recovered consciousness and thinks he is well asever. But he is weak. and must not be disturbed.” : ‘‘No, no, Vida,” he heard the brother re- spond; “he is your patient; you have saved his life so far, and your injunctions must be strictly regarded.” “Oh, Ralph!” and Vida’s eyes grew bright with some inward emotion; but, suddenly re- membering that Fred was awake, she checked the words. that came to her lips, while the dark, silk eyelashes drooped shyly on her flushed cheeks. ** What is it, Vida?’ asked Ralph St. Leger. ‘You are feeling unusually joyous; have you caught it from the young stranger?” ‘Sh, Ralph!” she said, placing the tips of her | pering, dimpled fingers to her brother’s lips; ‘‘he is awake and may hear you. Come, sit down. You look tired and careworn, must be eng Ralph St. Leger threw himself upon the otto- man, while Vida stole softly back to Fred’s couch, and, drawing aside the curtain, gazed down upon the youth. He slept, She moved lightly away, and was soon en- aged in the preparation of the evening meal, Vhen it was rea y, Fred was still asleep. She would not disturb his slumber. She would take him food when he awoke. Ralph eat his supper silently and thought- fully. Vida watched him closely. She saw at once that something uncommon rested upon his mind; and after supper was over, and the table cleared away, the brother and sister seated themselves near the door, furthest from the in- valid’s couch, and entered into conversation. ou ** Ralph dear,” said Vida, ‘“‘you are in trouble. Your very looks and actions say so. Why is it?’ ‘Vida, my love was spurned to-day by one whom I loved most dearly.” “You loved, Ralph? Thisis news tome. You surprise me.” ‘Yes, no doubt, sister. But there is a maiden at Stony Cliff whom I met and loved many days ago. And to me she pledged her heart and hand, but to-day she re voked that pledge and spurned my love. Sheac cused me of being Pirate Paul.” Vida started and uttered a little cry. ‘“ Brother,” she said, “I have even thought so myself.” ‘“My God!” he exclaimed; ‘‘is it ible that you link my name with that of a villain, Vida?’ “How can I do otherwise, brother? For nearly a year have we lived in this secluded spot.; Your comings and goings have been wrapped in mystery to me, ou tell me nothing, unless it is of the terrible deeds of Death-Notch, or of some robbery committed by the prairie pirates. Why have you been so silent, if you did not wish me to couple your abserice with that of some evil?” Fred Travis has heard every word. He did not approve of eavesdropping, but there was a mystery about this brother and sister that he wished to solve. To Vida he saw her brother's doings were entirely unknown. He had caught a glimpse of Ralph’s face through the curtain. He saw the resemblance it bore to the maiden’s. He was fully satisfied that he was Death-Notch, for, although theScalp-Hunter had kept his face masked at the hut, his voice was the same as that of Ralph St. Leger. But might not he be the Pirate Paul, too?’ ‘* Sister,” said Ralph, after awhile, “half of my life is a blank. er since our parents were slain by the accursed Sioux, under Le Subtile Fox—since I witnessed the torture and shameful treatment of our mother and sister—I have been insane half of my time. And were it not for you, Vida, to soften my heart, to live for, to love, I believe I would go entirely mad, And since Sylveen Gray—she whom i have loved with all the affection of a true heart—has spurned my love, it seems as though this life of mine is a bitter one, But, sister, do you re- member the ring that mother wore ere our home fell under the savages’ blows?” ‘Yes, yes, Ralph.. I could never forget it. It was a gold ring, with such a curious se ot some precious stone. But what of M?’ ‘*Sylveen Gray wears that ring.” A cry burst from Vida’s lips. ‘‘ It must have been taken from mother after her capture,” she said; ‘‘ but how came Migs jy grag ow not. ut Ww. SAW ii, Aaj rane. shatisi Sront ne ont tema aie adder. | (é| oe Le) = = +S “em ° com <= =e — — ee eee