Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 1036 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

ae is ’ 4 afer ~~ ‘a a , ‘LT have kept the fact from you for your own yee - bring about a reconciliation, if possible. With- | ger promise to wed me some day, then will I - from the hate Be drew his little sister . : plan cranes , listener to the startling revelationsof Ralph | : f his silence, but he could not help it, "to know you are Death-Notch.” he 4: 4 6 ee oe eee —— ee - nt the same time accusing me of being Pirate if Sylveen Gray will hear my story, and believe Paul. There is some mystery connected with me—renew her promise to become my wife ‘hat ring.” _ when we have grown older, then will I give up “There must be; but, tell me; Ralph, why it this life.” is, if you are not a robber, that you tell me so a Se pray, then, that she will!” cried Vida, httle of your hunting excursions?’ hopefull ; ‘‘ but, Ralph, you say when you are “ Vida, are you sure your patient is asleep?” under these mysterious attacks, you have a The maiden arose, and going to Fred’s couch, , faint remembrance of what you do, yet can not drew aside the curtain. stay your acts,” “Yes, he still sleeps soundly,” she said, steal- | ~‘* Yes, such is the case.” back to ker brother’s side on tip-toe. | ‘Then I will tell you something, sister,” Ralph gaid. ‘“ »nye is what leads me from home, and keeps me away. Upon those who slew our | father and tortured to death our mother and | sister have I sworn to wreak a terrible revenge. Heaven seems to justify me in my course. I pan excite rmvyself to madness by thinking over our friends’ suffering and shame, and when I am mad this world is almost a blank tome. Ido most terrible acts. The sight of one of those pavages who destroyed our home crazes my brain. I can not control my anger. A demon’s power and fury are infused into my body. [| am vaguely conscious of all I do, yet can not Fred heard this declaration with a feeling of restrain my acts, and there is nothing that [| joy. A terrible weight was lifted from his fare not do, It is not insanity that crazes my | heart. He would now have nothing to fear bain, but a spirit of revenge. It isa singular | from Death-Notch. aid terrible state into which I am thrown, but I can not help it. It comes like a dream in my | lamp wes lighted. - Ralph and his little sister sleep, and my acts aré all involuntary. I have | now sought Fred’s couch, and finding he had, no control over myself; but, God seems to guide | apparently, just awakened and protect me while laboring under those ter- | pare him some food, while | tible attacks. But one thought of you, sister, or | him in conversation, by which Fred soon learned o€ my adored Sylveen, would drive the spell away. It is curious—nay, mysterious—what | more thon ordinary intelligence. freaks and ills the human race is addicted to. Vida’s appearance withsome food on a snowy he sight of a strange white face sometimes | plate, and.a bow! of coffee, ended their talk. throws me into that awful state of madness. It | { wifl bring up old memories of days gone by, when we were so happy and joyous with a father and. mother. Tien will rise the demon | faces of their murderers, and my spirit maddens | for revenge. -And, Vida, I hear much of Death- Notch, and his terrible deeds of vengeance on | young man down in the forest on the night of the storm?” ‘“ No, Vida, for I did not.” “He says Death-Notch beat him down.” “He is mistaken. I was with him that night, coming, and warned him to flee and join his. friends. He left me, and I recovered. Soon were robbers, and still a heard a pistol-shot. I never saw Fred Travis after our parting there that night, until I saw him lying unconscious in your canoe.” ee ee ere eo an casy-Chair, ate the viands brought him with 'akeen relish. After this repast kee felt much refreshed and strengthened, and ventured on a few minutes’ walk and exercise in the open air. When he returned, Ralph also was out, but came in,.in a few minutes, looking not a little ex- Vida went to pre- | 1er brother engaged — Death-Notch, the Destroyer. —_—_ —— — eee 13 me ae ee ee ee ee oor a a, ee ee ee ee eee | And so he did. During the next two days he | ' was absent from home most of his ing through the woods. ‘red Travis convalesced rapidly, within the sunshine of Vida’s smiles. He walked with her in the cool, silvan wood; rowed with her upon the creek, and talked and sung with her unt# the emotions that were ripening in their young time—scout- _ hearts gushed forth in confessions of love ‘Then, do you remember of having beat this | joy. From the moment they had first gezed into each other's eyes, a feeling far deeper than mere | friendship was awakened in each young heart. and had one of my attacks. I knew it was. This continued to grow upon them, until it at last found expression in words of love and de votion. To these lovers that solitary cabin seemed an Arcadian bower. They thought but little of thé | dangers that so troubled the mind of Death- after I saw three persons, who I concluded | few minutes later I | emotions of the human breast held Notch and kept him on constant watch. Th was no vain show nor formality in their love. It was a pure and holy love in which the noblest ower. It was near the close of the third day of Fred's sojourn at the Lone Cabin—as Vida called the place—that the young lovers were seated upon ¥ the bank of the little stream which formed the _ western boundary of the glade. By this time it was dark in the cabin; so a_ that the young Scalp-Hunter was a person of | his of They had long expectéd the return of Death- Notch, and Vida had begun to chafe in spirit at pease absence. But Fred spoke words cheer to her and endeavored to comfort her mind and keep it upon something else. In her lap lay a Spanish guitar, upon which she had been playing for him, and now, as the twilight | Shadows began to gather over the woodland tions, Fred asked her to play ‘red arose from his couch, and, being seated in | with their evening voices and solemn inspira- again. The maiden took up the instrument and struck a sweet, inspiring air, her own rich voice joig- ing in the melody in a clear, rippling cadence. The music was delicious, and the beautiful singer modified the tones of her own voice and that of the instrument to harmonize with the soft, vibrant air that carried the sounds away , through the forest aisles in strains of ravishing the red-skins, Time and again, sister, have I | cited, The three seated themselves and entered into scalp at my girdle. By thinking, as you would | conversation. Fred sat with his back toward | the open door and facing Raiph, and Vida sat | at one side. Suddenly, Fred saw Ralph start as though he had detected a slight, unnatural sound without, for he fixed his eyes upon the open door. ‘* What is it, Ralph?’ asked Fred. Ralph made no reply. Fred gazed into his face and saw it was set with the rigidness of death. His white, pearly teeth shone between over a dream, L-can recall a vague remembrance of how itcame there. But to make a long story short ,it am Death-Notch, the young Scalp-Hun- ter, as the Indians have seen fit to name me.” A low, half-suppressed cry burst from Vida’s | lips and an expression of fear overshadowed | her features. Kalph’s revelations had startled | her From his own story she at once believed he 1vas subject to attacks of fits, and yet he had stag ies to make her believe it was but ex- | zitément. She felt no uneasiness for herself. but for the handsome, invalid youth lying behind the curtain. Whatif her brother should become ° mad at sight of him? As she asked herself the quastion, she glanced uneasily and involuntarily toward the curtain. Ralph readily divined her | thoughts and fears by her actions, and continued, ! assuring ly; | “ You need have no fears for him, Vida, 1] | recovered from one of my terrible fits to find a | | scintillated like coals of fire; their pupils dilated until they seemed to cover the whole ball, It was a terrible expression, not one of madness, tell? ‘Ralph! Ralph!” exelaimed Fred, hoping to break the spell that was coming over him like a serpent’s fascination. , soa your heart has become deeply interested in , shot through the cabin door, out into the blind- ti¢t youth’s we m4 ing darkness. Oh, Ralph!’ she’ eried, blushing crimson, | ‘itshocks me to think of Death-Notch—that | all became j?2are that terrible being!” silent again. was baa a low, wail-like cry; then A minnte later Ralph made his appearance in od. I know it is an appalling mood that at ines possesses me,” ‘Yes, brother, and I fear it will be the death et,” said Vida, _ he had ever been. Bee But Vida sprung backward with a shriek, and | pointing to his girdle, exclaimed: holds our lives in his hands. Iam his | ‘Goa, Ral . eae. ‘* My ph, what is that?” vervant, and as he wills I am satisfied. But, | --—-— Vida, Lhave settled my mind upon one thing. | CHAPTER XIX, — | must see Sylveen Gray once more. I must 3 an EVIL FACES. — RAwpa Sr, Lecer started at his sister's words, as though he had suddenly been aroused from a Siank tome. If sho will listen to my story, be- | dream. He 1 down at his girdle, where he fieve that [am no Pirate Paul, and will renew | beheld a reeking scalp dangling. With appar- ent disgust, he tore the bloody trophy from his side and tossed it out of the door. ‘The cunning fiend,” said Death-Notch, “got a little too close. I remember seeing him pass the door and peer in when I sat there.” — - ‘‘ Brother,” said Vida, with trembling voice, ‘I'm so afraid oul home will be discovered by out her love, sister, this world will be a half- leave this wild, secluded home, wherein love as | well as revenge is keeping me. Once away | ; ful presence of the Indians, J know this spirit of revenge will be forgotten, But I hardly know how to act now.” “Ralph, I wish I could advise you in your | u trouble. But, for the sake of your sister, be | the savages and we slain, for they. be con- -gareful of your life, When you are gone, I will | tinually on the hunt for Death- >~=Oh, . Ralph! let us leave here soon!” have no.one to care for me,’ | Tears gathered in the eyes of Ralph St. Leger, | ‘“ Your wish shall be granted, Vida; a few toward him, put back | more days and we will forever leave this wilder- , dark. ringlets from her brow, and | ness and its rs, God willing. But, for fear a kiss upon it. ' there may now be other savages about, I will go In the mean time, red Trayis was an atten- | out and reconnoiter.” Vida would have protested against his leav- ing, but, before she could speak, he had taken his weapon and left the cabin. The maiden and her invalid guest waited long and anxiously for his return, but the hours stole away, the moon sunk behind the western tree- | soe ang dawn appeared in the east before he returned. | When he did his face wore a look of fatigue. the lo t. r, and the words of tende | Se ip yer ad nderness spoken After a few moments’ silence he heard th brother and sister renew their a ssa: Mt 24 Brother,” said Vida, “ I believe now you are not Pirate Paul, but I cannot say I ampleased He felt ashamed of | | his slightly parted lips, and his eyes glowed and | | sweetness. The air was a familiar one to Fred, but he had never heard it sung with such iring _melody. It brought up recollections of a onoe- happy home and dear faces that were now po ' | I nor insanity either, but of—what? Who can. | ! ' | pee made no reply, but, like an arrow, he’; but it was mute. | ’ eee ee ge FE more. Tears welled up into his eyes, as thoughts went back over old, sweet memories. The snowy fingers of the forest beauty flashed over the strings of the instrument unnoticed by him. But, as her voice rose and fell in those sweet, melodious strains, his breast rose and fell with the emotions it stirred within. At length the music grew slower and fainter, and finally faded away in silence in a low, dy- ing chord. ‘red raised his eyes to those of the lovely girl. He saw she was sitting motionless as aca imagé, her lips slightly parted, and her face set with an expression of terror. The guitar was in her hands, and her fingers upon the strings; Vida’s eyes were fixed with a terrified faze upon the opposite side of the creek, and Fred efore either Fred or Vida could speak, there _ permitted his own eyes to turn in that direction, and to his horror he saw the dark green foliage parted in a dozen places, and the grim, painted face of an Indian warrior appeared each the door, apparently as calm and composed as | opening. CHAPTER XX. A TURKEY-HUNT. “Huo, lads! Git outen this! The suu’s up and shinnin’ it over the hill like sixty, and has been for an hour, Time for snoozin’s up, and whos must be scratchin’ gravel for new diggin’s, and— “The ‘possum he grinned at the ole hedgehog, At the ole hedgehog, at the ole hedgehog; The ‘possum he grinned at the ole h gehog, "Way down by the Squantum river,” ete. Thus spoke and sung Old Shadow, as he made his appearance in the midst of a number of forms that lay stretched in slumber beneath the arching boughs of the surrounding trees. It was morning, and the — had just gilded the tops of the forest trees. The old trapper had been on ,and as daylight had relieved him from duty, he made his appearance in camp before any of his companions had awakened. In a few minutes the avengers were on foo moving about to exercise their cramped limbs — and to drink in the fresh morning air. sy ‘* Wal, I hope you feel as fresh as a new cut,” said the old scout; ‘‘ but it makes the blood leap in my ss 5 a ward ot how aa come r poles shav them are r wh om Tehould varita all i soheidorstily. e udge we n “but I suppose you feel none the better for “ Ho, the dickens!” exclaimed the scout; ee emeenet pleased over the fact myself, Vida, It was evident that he had spent the night inac- feel as fresh as oF Sag, damage toe ight’s raid tp then I f that I have not been accountable. aye 3 a ' | ina or y, bless ye, it’s nuthin’ for Ole — . in acertain sense, for man things that I have | S srother, you have been gone so ae tor around all day and night ' done. But, revenge now is only a secondary , said Vida; ‘are the Indians abo ole cuss. B ars One | , Love stands pre-cminent—a Jove that | . ‘‘The woods are swarming with. th un’ to f er asa ; ere Death-Notch struck his first | am afraid they'll ae Bin ome, alas, . Have d i. o! *, pee te a , up i: TTT alert. > ea ae er | “ ck fur : ( Sos : aren y nO le See fe, a eae SE = ee Phe ey ee. Ce are et Oe “ oe ar - t Sa = a J yy =—+ 4 = — ne ee eee os eee ne et i= | fost Se ee eae eS wee Payias 4\0 en ae | 0 eyele wea c