Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 1036 — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

toe a * 4 Owe -.: r . . ’ 7 fm! _~< ~ 2 . o*: > ; 7 tL ave - and sent him reeling backward. _- watch the movements of their foe. 20 —— — — ——_— -——— contending with a single foe, such an act would bave been a mark of cowardice, in an Indian’s view of the case. Old Shadow was fully aware of his close prox- imity to the enemy’s camp, and he knew, if they discovered their friend’s situation, curiosity would bring them there atonce. Consequently, he knew he would have to bring matters to a s y termination. But how was be to do it? e had, so far, found the savage ready for any emergency. However, a thought soon struck him, bringin a smile to his knotty face, and, as he fecdeaed to carry it into execution, he began humming his favorite song. He cut a long, tough switch that was within reach of him, and with his knife in one hand = rod in the other, he was ready for work. “See here, Ingin, ‘round thar,” he said, ‘"arn’t ye gittin’ a leetle tired o’ yer sitchua- shun?” A grunt was the only response. “ Say, reddy,” continued the scout, “ talk up like a little man, You've tasted agg & hain’t ye? Now tell me if, when ye war a boy, yer dad had ever treated ye to hickory ile?” ‘*Ugh!” was the only response, But it was enough. . It told the old scout exactly where he was lying. ** Now, look sharp, ye nasty.beast; ’'m goin’ to tan yer jacket for ye.” As he concluded, he raised the switch aloft, and brought it down over the log with all his power. Being tough and pliable, it lapped easily around the log,and, being of sufficient length, its end came down across the naked back of the red-skin with such stinging force that it caused him to fairly’ bounce, and forced a low cry from his lips. The savage knew not front whence the blow came, and for an instant he grappled, with staring cyes, at an imaginary foe. The old hunter followed up with another blow that forced a genuine yell from the sav- age’s lips. He knew now from whence they came, ‘*T know it’s orful ticklish, red-skin; but ye’ll have to take it, or shin ouf. Ye’rea bad boy, e are.” “ Warrup!” * io ne came the switch over the log and on the red-skin’s back, causing hin to yell till be could have been heard for miles, It was a new torture to him—one that his silent fortitude could not stand. The savages at the camp heard his cries. They could sée him writhing about against the log, but could not tell the cause of the trouble, The log concealed Old Shadow from their view. - However, they started up the hill to their friend’s assistance; but, at this juncture, they saw something on the edge of the opening that caused them to fall back again. Still Old Shadow plied his switch, indulging at the same time in a fit. of laughter. Once he was sure he heard the ps eh ae langhter of some one else; but if must have been fancy, for it seemed to come up from the him. / The savage finally made one desperate effort ground beneath | to leap over the log upon the hunter, but the descending switch struck bim fair in the face Springing quickly to his feet, he turned and fled, half-blinded and with bleeding back; to- ward the camp. _ With his face convulsed with laughter, Old Shadow arose quickly to his feet, and, instead of firing upon the fleeing wretch, he put his shoulder to the log and started it rolling down the smooth hillside directly on the path of the _ Savage. The log moved slow at first, but soon gathered momentum and went whirling in rapid evolu- tions down the slope. It did not overtake the savage, but gave him hot chase, and, keeping on, it went crashing over the shrubbery on the edge of the glade, and finally came to a stop in the heart of the wa one end of it stopping within half an arm’s length of where Fred Tra- vis sat bound. _ Great excitement. prevailed in the Indian camp, not only over their friend’s adventure, but the appearance of nearly a dozen of whites on the upper side of the opening, It was the . Avengers. | . | The savages crept to the edge of the glade to For the time being Fred Travis was left alone _ —or, rather, was not under the eyes of his cap- tors—but he was so firmly bound that no effort of hisown could ever loosen the thongs. He saw what a golden opportunity was. afforded ae eae = ean a | called friends to his assistance; but, as he was A TTT _—_————— CHAPTER XXX, FRED MEETS HIS FRIENDS. THE finger of the young Scalp-Hunter was upon his lips, significant of silence. Fred saw at once what he meant, yet it seemed a miracle that he could have been carried there alive without being mangled and bruised against the sides of the log. But he saw that the hollow was small—that his body filled it so closely that it could not be dashed against the sides, but bad turned with the log, After he had recovered from the blindin dizziness, consequent on being whirled aroun and around so often and rapidly, he began an examination of his situation. The first thing he saw was Fred, and at once made his presence known in the manner already described. When he was sure Fred understood his inten- tions, he drew his knife, and, reaching out, severed his bonds. Then he glided from the log, and the next instant the two passed into the wooas, and not until they were out of gun- shot did the savages realize the state of affairs in the rear. A few of them gave case, but, by a circuitous course, the fugitives reached the sum- mit of the hill, and were there joined by the Avengers, Great was the joy of these youths on their re- union with their young captain, whom they had given up as dead. Fred introduced Ralph St. Leger to his friends, but said nothing of his being Death- Notch, But, from OQmaha’s actions, Fred mis- trusted that his suspicions were aroused. The Friendly and Old Shadow were deployed as scouts to watch the movements of the enemy in the valley below, and after Fred and his com- panions had compared notes, and talked over their adventures since the night of the storm, Ralph took him aside and said: ‘‘ it is useless, Fred, to presume that you do not know the fate of Vida and Sylveen.” A sigh of intense agony escaped Fred’s lips. ** Yes, Ralph,” he said, “‘ I saw. them carried away before my eyes, and [ was helpless in the red demons’ power—helpless as a child. It is agony, torturing agony to think about it.” “Why is it, Fred?” ‘* Why is it ?” repeated Fred, startled by the tone of Ralph’s voice, ‘Yes; why isitagony to you ? I know Vida was a stranger to you before you came to our cabin, but perhaps Sylveen Gray—-” **T admit, Ralph, your sister’s existence was unknown to me before the day she saved my life, but without ber existence now, life to me will be an agony.” ‘‘ You love her, then?” ‘*T do, Ratph; I love her as no manever loved a woman before.” You may think so; but did you confess your love to her? “T did.” . ‘‘ And tried to win her affections from me— her only friend?” **No, no, Ralph; God forbid! IT could not help loving her, and my love is reciprocated.” “ Fred,” and the young Scalp-Hunter’s voice wus low and half-choked, ** I would do nothing to make you and Vida miserable. But she is young, and did I believe there was a tithe of de- ception in your heart—that you were deceiving her--L would shoot you dead. But I have a better opinion of you, Fred, and now you bave only to prove that you love Vida as you say, by hazarding everything for her rescue,” “That will I do, even with my life,” replied Travis. ma “And I will ever be by your side, Fred: for as you love Vida, sol love Sylveen Gray.” ‘‘ Together, then, we follow the foe, and you shall lead the Avengers, if you so desire,” ‘No, Travis; you are their ehosen leader, Lead on, and as a scout I will render you every assistance I can. Of course the girls have been carried to the Indian village, and we will have to hasten there and do the best we can toward their release.” =~ Here the conversation ended, and the two The New York Library. ee i EY _ Vol, Le ee within five miles of the Sioux vil- age. Again they came to a halt. Scouts were sent out toward the town to reconnoiter the situ- ation, and calculate their chances of rescuing the prisoners. Omaha and Old Shadow were the scouts sent forward, but soon after their departure, Ralph went too. It was dark—pitchy dark—when the two scouts came in sight of the town. A hun- dred camp-fires marked the location of the place and showed our two friends the round, conica lodges, and the dusky forms of warriors stalk- ing about or standing before the fire, like bronze statues. In the background were hitched a number of ponies, bridled as if for instant use. The two scouts decided to separate, with the intention of making a circuit of the encamp- ment, each one making half a round. They were to meet at a designated spot on the oppo- site side of the town, ‘‘ compare notes,” ard re- port at once to the band. Old Shadow went around to the left of the village, and with his usua] daring, he moved rapidly and skillfully on, yet he was compelled more than once to conceal himself to elude dis- covery by the. shadowy forms of Indian scuuts. . that he saw stalking about through the night. He pressed on, and — came to a liitle wooden defile that caused him to make an ab- rupt detour to the left. It carried bim over a mile from the town; and at the point where he would pass around the head of the defile was a little glade through which he would have to pass, He entered it without hesitation and pressed toward the opposite side. Just then a dark figure sprang from a clump of bushes and seized him by the throat, It was a savage warrior of giant proportions and herculean strength. The wiry old trapper struggled desperately for freedom, but he was no match for the power- ful warrior, who had possessed himself ot every advantage at the beginning. With .both hands griped upon his throat, the giant savage held the old trapper at arm’s- length and pressed his fingers gradually tighter upon his jugular. Old Shadow saw that all was up with him. He was goss) strangled to death, ani eve movement of hi grew weaker each moment. His eyes started from their sockets and his tongue from his mouth. A purple haze was gathering before his eyes. Feebly be clutched at the-arm of the savage, who now seemed magnified into a being of colossal stature. To the old scout the dark belt of timber around: the glade seemed spinning around and around, Direful sounds—shrieking demons and wailing winds rushed athwartthe night. And from the borders of darkness—the wocds—he sees a dark, shaggy form appear. It comes with a lumber- ing gait. The orbs of fire gleam from the shag- gy mass like the eyesof doom. Themoonbeams falling upon it give it a weird and terrible ap- pearance, But there is still life enough left for Old Shadow to see what it is, A buge black bear, ‘ The beast is wounded. He is mad. Froth and blood are dripping from his mouth and nos- trils. The feathered shaft of an arrow protruded from his side. He comes on toward the combatants. Old Shadow can see him, but the Indian cannot. His back is toward it. The bear approaches and rears up on his haunches behind the savage. He reaches out with his fore arms and grasps the savage in» a. deadly bug, and buries his white, glittering fangs in his naked shoulder. saved |” . : A shriek burst from the lips of the savage. He relinquished bis hold upon the old hunter's throat and attempted to turn upon his new ad- versary. Buthecould not. The beast held him in a more powerful embrace than he held the ~ old hunter, Together they rolled to the earth. Old Shadow gasped for breath, and stagger- youths joined the Avengers, to whom Fred | ing, fell to the earth. He soon regained his made known the fact t Ralph St. Leger would accompany them on their indian village. At ® signal from the young captain, Omaha and Old Shadow came in, when a general un- derstanding was had all around, Fred Travis was to lead as captain of the band. The now numbered ten, and with the exception of Old Shadow, were all young, active and brave; but, where the old hunter was want- ing in youth, he exceHed in bravery and experi- ence, The savages in the valley were soon seen to be vag away into the forest, evidently trying e journey torthe | feet, exclaimed: strength and breath, however, and rising to his “Whew! that’s better. But, durn the b’ar, he come nigh bein’ too late, the lazy, pokin’ lummix. Go in thar,on yer muscle, ole b’ar, I'm iv a hurry and can’t stay enny Jonger fool- in’ round here. Squiz the darned varlet’s carcass till his eyes bung out, ole b’ar, but Vill leave while my credit’s good, so I will. by gum.” The old scout Poo up his rifle, and turning, left the bear and savage down in their death- struggles, and hurrying across the opening, plunged into the dark, green wood beyond. him for escape. Bnt, alas! who was there to | to elude the Avengers. But the latter had no CHAPTER XXXIT, , tree Pe toe desire to follow them, Their wialety for the A DESERTED VILLAGE, ~ ap Tae icture his attention is attracted by | rescue of those of their friends who might be | Ty the mean time, Omaha was meeting with | the low c of the cricket in the hollow log captives at the village set aside all offensive adventures no less exciting than Old Shadow, that had just dashed into camp. ~He fixes his | measures; | ? even if they were less dangerous. Aad | ae en dark hollow e starts. He sees} So the little band took up their line of march He had made nearly the whole of bis helf of | a human face, gh pans hy hi dirt and mud, peer- | northward, Omaha and Olid Shadow were de- | the circuit, when a rough brier pe pressed — __ ing therefrom. He can ely suppress a cry | ployed as scouts, while Ralpb St. Leger acted in | his course in toward the village. brought — ‘surprise, That face had carried there | the capacity of guide, for to him cvery foot of | him in dangerous juxtaposition to an Indian ye, in the bolton tof Tt was familiar to} thatforestwasfamiliarn, = = =~ sentinel papted on a log under ph le Seg 1—it was the face of Death-Notch—Ralph |: They pr d on quite eg rN Mi le er The Indian challenged hi Sanh dia ies. ud ergs ene a "| shadows’ of evening began to fall, they found | lect, of which Omaha was a complete master. — RIC Geen rae . ee Se ee ( (ox s body added to his pain, He. Old Shadow is - s . ee 5 as . mr S Se F< ot ee :. * a rt, <¥ \ Pe re wt = = ah > +. » es